Column: Pray, it's God's prescription for everything
Prayer is a vital part of our relationship with God. Prayer is simply talking directly to God. Prayer is not meditation. God wants us to talk to him about anything and everything. There are no time constraints or limitations on prayer.
Luke 11:1 tells us the children of God have a natural desire to pray but need to be instructed on how to pray.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray continually. What does this look like? Praying continually seems like a daunting task that one would never be able to accomplish. Jesus gives the perfect example of praying continually.
Jesus went away to pray alone (Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35) and often prayed publicly (John 11:41-42 and John 12:27-30). He prayed before and after performing miracles (Mark 7:34-35 and Luke 5:16). Jesus also prayed before meals (Matthew 26:26, Mark 8:6). Jesus showed the example of praying continually, so we could follow his example. When we pray under all circumstances we develop a deeper relationship with God and it demonstrates our trust and dependence upon Him.
Do you take the time to pray before making large purchases, changing careers, picking a new church or finding a new babysitter? These are very important life decisions that impact you and your family and should be lifted up in prayer. Jesus prayed before making important decisions.
In Luke 6:12-13, Jesus went to the mountainside to pray, and he spent the entire night praying so he would be prepared to choose his 12 disciples. We should take notice Jesus didn’t lift a 30-second prayer and go about his business, he spent the night praying. Jesus wanted to get his decision right, so he prayed until he received an answer. We need to do the same thing. Instead of rushing through a prayer, take time and wait for an answer. It could change the outcome of your situation entirely.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul is telling us here to worry about nothing and to pray about everything. Everything means everything. If we are not anxious and we pray about everything, then the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. Prayer is God's prescription for anxiety.
All of humanity has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and are on the path of death and destruction without Jesus. Salvation is a free gift offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A simple prayer of confession and belief in Jesus gives you the gift of salvation.
Romans 10:9-10: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:13,” for Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Don’t delay, stop and pray, today.
Kelly Smith is the Transformation Network executive director.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Column: Worry about nothing and pray about everything
