From His Heart Daily Devotional 4 February 2022
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH PRAYER?
I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:1-2
My wife is a very disciplined and organized person. I love that about her because organization and discipline don’t come easy for me. If you look at my closet, or my desk, or my dresser drawers, you will likely find something other than the picture of tidiness – and it tends to drive Debbie crazy.
When she can’t take the mess any longer, she will help me clean up. We throw away things I don’t need, file things I do need, and set everything in order. Left to my own devices, the clutter and disorganization would persist. But given her help, we tackle the job together.
DO YOU NEED SOME HELP WITH PRAYER?
I have found that lots of Christians have trouble when it comes to the subject of prayer. Could that be true of you? Do you tend to be easily distracted when you pray? Do you run out of things to talk to God about after a minute or two? Do you find yourself repeating the same things over and over, day after day? Be honest here, do you see prayer more in terms of a chore you have to do – like cleaning up the closet – rather than a joy you get to do? Sweet Hour of Prayer may be a great hymn, but it is not a great reality for the vast majority of us.
Many years ago, I ran across Psalm 116:1-2. Those verses jumped out at me as I felt God say, “Jeff, I will really listen to you if you will really pray. My ear is open to you, and I am ready to help you… so call upon Me with confidence.” That truth changed my thinking on prayer.
GOD HEARS YOU AND WANTS TO ANSWER YOU
Remember, to pray effectively you don’t have to speak like William Shakespeare and pull out the King James English. You just need to talk to God from your heart. Tell Him your struggles, your doubts, your fears, and your failings. Ask Him for those things that you need. Share with Him the challenges of the day.
Visualize prayer this way: You are coming into the very throne room of the King of kings. He welcomes you into His presence… and into His very lap. Although He is running the universe, He seems to have all the time in the world to listen as you openly share your heart with Him. Visualize His smile upon you as you look to Him with a desire to be changed and to do His will. Know that He has heard you and will respond to your requests in a way that is best.
Prayer was never designed to be a chore. It was designed to be a great joy and blessing as we talk to the Mighty King… who is also our loving Father. His ear is open to you right now. Will you come into the throne room and call upon His name?
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
