Resources/Articles
Keeping Your Faith Alive (50)
Rejoice always;
pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
to you-ward.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayers. Christians need them. Christians are richly blessed to have them. They can be quick, few-worded statements or long thanks, praise, and requests of God. Every petition which comes to God’s throne is a way to keep your faith alive.
James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not...” We all need wisdom, and it does a lot of good to get as much as possible. Therefore, God anticipates our approach to Him every day and more than once a day. Each prayer is our act of faith in God’s hearing, God’s understanding, and God’s answer to what we say. God has a way of doing things, and each of us has some ways in life where we need the wisdom He provides. Our way is not sufficient (Jeremiah 10:23). Our physical skills limit us. Our experience is not often the best teacher. We need a faith which daily seeks God’s way.
The intent with prayer is not solely for “life-or-death” situations. Prayer is faith-building and courage-stabilizing. It is the practice of the presence of God. It is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made. Prayer is the place of admitting our need, where we adopt humility, and claim dependence upon God.
Prayer is our means of appreciation. This is Where we remember to say, “Thank you.” Everything needs our thanks from the greatest of things to the smallest of things. We may not think of everything the first time, but the next time we pray, thank God then. God’s hand is n your life every moment of every day. Thanks takes away the fear and worry of what we do not have and focuses on what we do have. An appreciative prayer leads a soul to more good works. A prayer of thanks tells God you know the source of all your blessings. A prayer of thanks is where you begin to appreciate others in your life who God placed there to help your faith increase.
Prayer is what brings us closer to the ONE we believe. Being close to someone comes with time, attention, and presence. Knowing God is there will cause us to open our hearts to Him. It gives Him the attention He deserves, and He gives attention to what we need. Prayer is the means of faith which says, “God, I am glad we had this time together.”
