Happy October! A new month means a new monthly topic, LiF sisters. We're pleased to share with you this month's theme: Work Hard, Pray Hard.
Having a full, well-rounded life can seem like something of a balancing these days, can't it? You dedicate yourself to your work, try to be a good friend or spouse, and seek to make time for Jesus, too. It's overwhelming, to say the least. There simply aren't enough hours in the day.
We wanted to create some space to focus on living a prayerful life—one that meets your busy schedule. For every day you strive to do good things in our world, you should be inviting Jesus into your heart through prayer.
Today, I'm breaking down what prayer really means, as well as sharing a few Bible verses that highlight the importance and urgency of prayer, despite the busyness of the times.
What Is Prayer Really For?
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." ~ Ephesians 6:18
Direct access to God—this is the gift we have received, and we must not take this gift lightly. Throughout Scripture, we're told to come to God in prayer. This solidifies the fact that our relationship is two-way. We talk to God and He talks to us.
In Matthew 7:7 we're told, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." In any and every occasion, we are called to invite God into our daily lives.
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have the privilege of coming to Him and seeking His insight.
Notice, you don't just have to come to God when you need or want something. Yes, Jesus wants you to tell Him the desires of your hearts, but He also just wants you to delight in His presence and to receive whatever He has for you. Sometimes, the most powerful encounters with God through prayer can be in complete silence.
Paul tells us in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." You may come to God and be honest with Him. You don't have to hide your true feelings from Him. That's an amazing thing.
As this article from Crossway affirms, "The encouragement to “draw near” to God’s throne implies that Christians have the privilege of a personal relationship with God. It indicates that Christians may come before God and speak plainly and honestly (yet still with appropriate reverence), without fear that they will incur shame or punishment by doing so. “throne of grace.”
Confidence in Prayer
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." ~ 1 John 5:14
What's the biggest obstacle that gets in the way of you prioritizing Jesus in your life? Take a moment to consider this. There could be a number of factors—stress, apathy, and distraction. I know one of the biggest struggles I face when it comes to my quiet time with Jesus is doubt. In the back of my mind, I think my prayer won't do anything, that God really isn't hearing me.
While this couldn't be farther from the truth, this does seem to be a common mentality in our modern world.
I often have to remind myself that God is nearer than I can imagine, that He is so close, so aware of what's happening in my life, and He wants me to open up that conversation with Him.
This is just the beginning of your faith journey, LiF sister. This is the beginning of your relationship with Christ that will last for eternity. Don't get discouraged if your prayer life hasn't been what you've envisioned. There's still more than enough time to get back on track and put your relationship with Jesus at the forefront. Ask God for forgiveness and move forward with hope and optimism.
Throughout this month, you can find encouragement on this topic here, on the blog, as well as on our social media channels. Follow along as we highlight verses on prayer and other ways to simply get connected with Jesus again.