Prayer: Our God Connection

Prayer: Our God Connection

Men have always been in search of power. From the beginning of civilization, men and women have spent time and energy trying to figure out how to find and harness power. From the power of animals, fire, wind, sun, water, coal, steam, electricity, to nuclear energy, men have sought diligently for ways to have power in their lives. How often we take for granted the outlets that we plug things into. Unless the electricity is off we never give it a thought. When it is off we wonder how long we can survive without it. We are dependent upon the things that power off lives. Man-made energy is what makes us thrive. Take it away and listen to the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

There is a power far greater then anything we have come to depend on. It is a power that is right around us everyday. We can access it at anytime and it is free yet how many of us neglect or forget to even consider it as a part of our daily lives? It is as though we are searching in our lives for something that is right in front of us but we choose to ignore it and persist in our pursuits of other options.

There is no greater work on earth than the work of prayer. Prayer means contact with God, communion with God and fellowship with God. It is not simply asking God for things although it includes that. Prayer is often the most neglected power on earth.

To attempt to do anything without prayer is foolish at best. To rely on one’s own talent, gifts or abilities without the ingredient of prayer is like trying to sing without a voice or drive a car without gasoline. It is useless to try to make something significant happen in our lives without understanding the critical nature of prayer.

Most of us know exercise is good for us. But we may struggle in actually doing it. You may think you’re the only one who has this struggle. It may even be a source of guilt for some of you. Today I want you to know you’re not alone. I want to share with you testimonies from others don’t exercise or have had negative exercise experiences. Hopefully, this will encourage you. Lessons learned in the wonderful world of exercise

Don’t jog. It makes the ice jump right out of my glass.

If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven’t lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up.

I don’t exercise at all. If God meant us to touch our toes, he would have put them further up our body.

Long walks are good, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

Yes I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

The only advantage of exercising every day is you die healthier.

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She’s 97 now & we don’t know where she is.

Now those excuses for not exercising are just about as lame as the excuses we offer for living our lives on this earth and not praying.

Jesus taught about prayer. He modeled prayer. He prayed early and often. He prayed at night and during the day. He prayed in public and private. He knew the value of prayer when He was on this earth. He connected to His Father through prayer.

Luke 18:1-8, “1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man[a] returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Jesus taught that praying was necessary.

1. What is prayer?

There are many kinds of prayer—petitioning prayer, silent prayer, intercessory prayer, thanksgiving prayer, even what some might call “listening prayer,” and “soaking prayer.” But at its heart, prayer is nothing more or less than opening up your heart to Jesus. Prayer is the language of intimacy. Whether it’s a quick breath at a stoplight, an eloquent benediction in church, or a long discussion in the solitude of your room, prayer is connection. It is alignment. Prayer is transparency.