We read in Mark 1:35, Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
It takes discipline to meet Jesus each day, a willingness of heart and mind and determination. I know from personal experience it is so easy to get distracted, to grab your phone and start checking your messages and get dragged into the hurriedness of daily life. Purpose in your heart to set a time each day to pray, and stick with it like you would a social event or sports activity and watch what God does.
We just completed a prayer card just for teens. It reads,
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace that has made me one of your dearly loved children.
Help me love you with my whole heart.
Empower me to love others the way you love me.
I repent of my sin. Create in me a clean heart.
Help me praise you with all that is within me.
Jesus, I choose to follow you as my Lord. Change me any way you want.
Fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit.
Make me an instrument of your grace, truth, forgiveness, righteousness and justice.
Use me for your glory and to invite others to follow you.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Hebrews 4:16, Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Grace is a gift. It is not to be abused. In other words, we can’t go out, intentionally sin, and then say, “I’m saved by grace, God will forgive me.”
John 15:16 says, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. We can only bear fruit if we are abiding in Christ and walking in obedience. We can only abide if we are spending time in His presence.
E.M. Bounds, who lived in the 1800s, wrote many wonderful books on prayer that are still being used today. But it is important to note that he didn’t only write about prayer, he prayed. “Prayer honors God, acknowledges His being, exalts His power, adores His providence and secures His aid.” What a great reminder as you go about your day. Be blessed dear friends.
