Prayer Changes You

We filter life and learn to see through God's eyes by praying.  Prayer is like putting on a pair of glasses; it can give us a godly perspective.  We are called to pray daily, without ceasing, from the heart, and persistently.  

Questions: 
When you start the day, which are you more likely to do first:  pray or check your cellphone?  Why do we put God on hold? Why wouldn't we want to talk regularly with Abba?

Worship:
Worship, adoration, or praise is directed towards God because of who he is and what he has done in eternity.  It is good for us to recognize that God is the center and we are not.  Life is about God's glory and his will, not ours.  When we proclaim that God is holy, sacred, sanctified, divine, or consecrated,  we begin to understand our place and our role in life.  We are less likely to usurp power; we are more likely to serve with humility as did Jesus.  Starting each day knowing that God reigns, gives us peace.  Worship lifts our spirit.

"Father, hallowed by your name.  Your kingdom come." 
or
"Father, reveal who you are.  Set the world right."
Luke 11:2b 

Confession:
Getting honest with God is hard.  Admitting our faults is no easy thing.  Sometimes we become weighed down by our own missteps and failings, so we pray and confess to God where we we went wrong.  Genuine confession is too often delayed or diluted, because it is painful to realize we are far from perfect.  When we harm another person, it is easier to blame someone else or the situation, when in fact we have slipped into sin:  pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, or sloth.

Confession is the path to freedom and reconciliation.  To shed self-condemnation and breakdown in relationship, we would do well to confess and seek forgiveness.  Confession gives us a fresh start, like the dawn of a new day.  We treasure forgiveness because it restores relationship with God and with the people in our lives.  Through confession, we learn to get up and go on, after stumbling into sin.

"If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9

Thanksgiving:

Becoming a person who expresses gratitude to God is transformative.  Thankfulness enables us to see the good, even on days when we feel disappointment or despair.  Observing simple acts of kindness heals and helps us.  Practice thanking God who provides for daily needs like food, shelter, and clothing.  Thank God for his protection through the day and night.  Thank God for such priceless gifts as forgiveness, eternal life, victory over sin and death, and adoption into his family.  Be alert to the goodness of God throughout the day and thank him.  Record events in a gratitude journal to strengthen your trust in God.  Give up grumbling; "give thanks" instead.

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thes. 5:18

Supplication:

Ask, search, knock, petition, and pray to God for what you need.  Learn to ask through prayer.  Throughout the day make requests, big and small.  You would tell your parent, spouse, or friend, if you needed something, right?  God is even more generous and is able to provide all things:  abundant life, courage, comfort, counsel, healing, protection, strength, wisdom.  Talk to God in prayer when there's something on your mind and heart.

"Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,"  Eph. 3:20

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Phi: 6-7

Questions:

When you close your day, which are you more likely to do:  pray or check your cellphone one last time?  How open are you to changing your prayer habits?  How eager are you to become more like Jesus?