Prayer---Now!

"Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit" (Psalm 143:7).

The Sunday School teacher, was very keen on religious ceremonies and had spent an entire session talking to the class about the correct way to pray. "Now," she said finally, "suppose we want to pray to God for forgiveness. What must we do first of all?" "Sin?" suggested one little boy.

I am not suggesting that we sin so we can pray for forgiveness but I know that I do things unintentional that go against God's will, therefore I need to pray for forgiveness. I am so much like King David who wrote the above verse. I want an answer and I want it now! Yet there are times that we do need an answer in the immediate. Nehemiah was one who needed an answer and help immediately and prayed to Jehovah God for help just before he entered the presence of King Artaxerxes to present his request for leave of absence. So there are times that we need a quick answer. Most of the time I have a hard time in this waiting business. How about you? King David was praying for deliverance from his enemies and needed help immediately and in his prayer for help he added this verse, "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground" (Psalm 143:10). That is a prayer of humility and a prayer we all need to pray; for God to teach His will for my life and for the present reason for my prayer.

I noticed, and maybe you have too, that Jesus prayed a lot. Hmmm!! maybe we should follow His example, for if He needed to pray to the Father how much more do we? What is prayer? It is communion with God and while we bring our requests and petitions to Him we need to spend time alone, and quiet before Him and allow Him to speak to us. That is what God wants more than anything else, time with us, we are His children. He knows before we ask what we need. He has promised that if we are seeking His Kingdom that He will meet our need, so spend time with Him, allow Him to speak into our hearts, minds, and lives. Don't rush! I have found that my relationship with God has grown as I spend silent time before Him, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to me. As that old commercial used to say, "try it you might like it."

Daily Prayer:

Father, today I will spend time with you. Speak to me and commune with me, for You I love, and You are my friend Jesus. Teach me your will. I come to you in prayer as an expression of my faith, knowing that you hear and answer prayers. Thank you for being a personal God who cares for me.              Amen