How to have a not so boring prayer life... Really! (Part 1)

Why do I have to PRAY Lord?  I mean WHY?

Prayer can be one of the most challenging "disciplines" we are ever asked to do as a follower of Christ.  But why is that?  Why can it be so tough and so hard to be excited about?  Over the next few posts, I'd like to cover some key things about prayer that have made it something that I look forward to, and you can too!

Prayer is tremendously misunderstood because people don't understand what it is.  Some people think it's more magic words, or rubbing a bottle to get the genie to come out, but those are incredibly harmful views.

So what is prayer?  Over the next few posts I'd like to go into that!

Prayer is part of a RELATIONSHIP.  

Prayer is communication.  Prayer is talking.  Prayer is intimate language between ourselves and our Heavenly Father who sees us as "dearly loved children."  (Ephesians 5:1).  Prayer is a vital link to build FRIENDSHIP with God and ourselves.  Once I began to realize that God wanted friendship with me, and wanted me to share my heart with Him and "confess" my feelings and thoughts to Him, I began to get what prayer was really about.

Prayer is about AGREEMENT.  

God knows what is best for us.  He is the Creator and author of all things, and wants us to have "Abundant life."  But that comes from doing things His way and obeying His commands and seeing their value.  So many people want to do things their way, instead of seeking what He wants, learning to AGREE that it is best, and then asking for His will to come into play.

Just think about that for a second....  

You see we don't mind it when people disagree with us... to an extent.  But when it comes to our spouses, our closest friends, don't we prefer to be on the same page?  Don't we prefer to AGREE with them and stand united in purpose, direction, etc?  And how do you feel when you really do know you are right, and your children or other people stubbornly refuse to see the truth and agree with you?  (And it's not about being right, it's about doing what is right.)

When I do this, when I seek out what God thinks and learn to agree with it, I will fulfill what Jesus says in the book of John:
"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.  My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples."  (John 15:7-8)

Seeing God's will and God's plan as the best path (His words remaining in us) makes my prayers about releasing His authority and power into my life.  When I know it's what He wants, my prayers just invite Him in to do His will!

Prayer is an astonishing privilege!

Listen to what the writer of Hebrews says:
"Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time." (Heb. 4:16)
God our Father has given us access to the THRONE ROOM.  He is seated where "thousands upon thousands of angels stand in joyful assembly" (Heb. 12:22) and we get to go there!  He loves us and treasures us and cares about our hearts.   What a privilege and honor, and how dearly we are loved!

Let's believe today that we are loved...
Let's believe that He wants to bring His power and will into our lives...
Let's believe that He desires friendship and communion with us....

Let's pray!