Come Let Us Pray
Prayer is essentially about our relationship with Father God. He invites us into a conversation with Him, just between the two of us. He waits for us with open arms to sit down and take a load off. He is here to hear about our difficulties and our victories. He listens to the questions of those things that are hard to comprehend. Our emotions do not threaten Him. He understands because He knows us so well.
Jesus taught the disciples to pray to God as Father, not Creator or Savior, but Father. This was in invitation into an intimate relationship with the Creator and Lord of All. Prayer is not about special words or magical phrases. Our Father says simply, "Come, let's talk." So come now, child of God, and have a seat. Take a deep breath. Our loving and merciful Father is looking your way. In his presence there is no judgment or misunderstandings. You are free to be totally open.
Close your eyes, open your eyes, sit, kneel, stand, hands down, hands up, speak. "Father, my Father..."How will you praise Him right now? He is Creator, Holy, Mighty, Everlasting.....Speak of his greatness, fill your heart and mind with praise.
Speak your faith in His wisdom for He knows best. His ways are not our ways. Often, this is the most difficult part of surrender, so talk to Him about this. Letting go of our will and submitting to his will requires faith in His love and His might. Talk to him about what makes this difficult. Return to praise if needed to bring you to a place to genuinely say, Thy will be done. Call on Jesus who experienced such a struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane until He was ready to fully surrender.
What are your needs today? Share with the Father what you truly "need" for your daily sustenance today - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Is there something lacking in your life today? What do you need to live life more fully?
Talk to God about the relationships in your life. Who are you having difficulty with and need to make things right? Has someone hurt you in some way? Talk to God about forgiveness and grace. For whom are you burdened today? Share your heart concerns for your relationships.
Take time to confess the things in your life that have interfered with your relationship with the Father. Talk it our until the matter is settled and you have received his forgiveness. Now leave it with Him and be released in His grace.
The Father wants to help you with areas of temptation you are personally facing today. Ask Him for ways to avoid the temptations. Read the scripture and seek his strength. Talk about the pieces of your armor that need to be strengthened as a follower of Jesus in this world. What can you do to stand firm in the face of temptation. Ask God's help in leading you away from temptations.
Time has passed so quickly and now you need to wrap up the conversation. Humbly give praise to the Father for who He is and all He has done for you. Honor Him with your praise. Rise and walk back into your world with a heart more free of burdens and more filled with grace and peace. Glance back over your shoulder as you walk into this world to catch one more glimpse of Father God smiling your way with a nod of encouragement.
