Prayer: Just Do It. ~ Day 5

This quote about prayer was posted on the National Day of Prayer site and strikes a chord with my own experience:

“Prayer is the method God uses to provide not only our daily needs from food to shelter but also comfort, strength and guidance. The late E. Stanley Jones, missionary and preacher, wrote, "Prayer ... is the opening of a channel from my emptiness into His fullness." (Abundant Living)

I may not understand at times how God works, but I know that He works. I may be disillusioned that my prayers weren't answered my way, but I always know that they have been answered His way. And although I may still wonder about the intricacies of prayer, I do know two things: God gives plenty of instruction in the matter (365 verse in the NIV include the word "prayer") and gives plenty of examples of those who have bruised their knees before us, calling out in prayer to the Lord.

Look at this list of Bible characters that prayed...

• Numbers 21:7 ~ Moses prayed for the people.
• Judges 13:8 ~ Then Manoah prayed to the LORD
• Judges 16:28 ~ Then Samson prayed to the LORD
• 1 Samuel 1:10 ~ In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.
• 2 Kings 19:15 ~ And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD
• Jonah 2:1 ~ From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.
• Luke 1:13 ~ Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
• Luke 5:33 ~ John's disciples often fast and pray,
• Luke 6:12 ~ Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
• Acts 10:9 ~ Peter went up on the roof to pray.
• Acts 12:5 ~ the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
• Acts 14:23 ~ Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
• James 5:17~ Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly…

If you are still bewilder about prayer, don't lose hope. Many, many Christians have written excellent resources on prayer. Of course, nothing compares to the Word, but often time God works through others to enhance our understanding. Below are a collection of recommended books on or about prayer.

• Power of a Praying Wife and Power of a Praying Parent, by Stormie Ormartian
• Praying God’s Word, by Beth Moore
• The Workbook of Living Prayer, by Maxie Dunnam
• Prayer, by O. Hallesby
• Praying God’s Will for My Daughter and Praying God’s Will for My Son, by Lee Roberts
• Lord, Teach Me to Pray In 28 Days, by Kay Arthur
• Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship, by Kenneth Boa
  

The power of prayer is far reaching. It also holds the blessing of being in continual conversation with God, a gift too great to pass up. As we put time aside each day to intentionally invest in our relationship with the Lord through the practice of prayer, it will become a natural form of communicating with God and source of great comfort as we see Him at work in our lives. God gives us plenty instruction on the mater. Let’s heed it!

Heavenly Father, I do pray that you would continue to use your Word to transform our understanding of prayer. Call us to turn to you, bruising our knees as we revere your Holiness and Sovereignty. In Jesus' Name, Amen.