because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Martin Luther said, “Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a goodly Christian weapon.” I agree. So why, with the availability of something so powerful, do we often wring our hands in anxiety rather than take full advantage of our most powerful weapon? Why panic? Why worry? Why brood, agonize, stew, mope and lose sleep when trouble comes our way?
If prayer is a fortress, a fortified place, a stronghold—large and permanent—why do we avoid talking to God about every need? Why do we avoid open communication with our Heavenly Father? Why do we avoid prayer?
I suppose the answer to those questions is complicated. Illness takes a physical toll and we can become too tired to pray. Stress takes a mental toll and we can become too emotionally distraught to pray. Life consumes our time and we can become too busy to pray. For every why not there is a because!
But God’s Word teaches us to make prayer a high priority. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer.” 1 Timothy 2:1 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”
When we pray, we draw close to God as we enter into a relationship with Him. The more we pray the more we become like Him. “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Prayer is powerful. As God hears and responds to our prayers, lives are changed. Circumstances are changed. But perhaps most importantly, we are changed. Philippians 4:6-7 explains, “…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When we are enduring our most anxious moments, we often forget to do the one thing that will calm our troubled spirits and bring peace to our hand-wringing, teeth-grinding, palm-sweating circumstances.
When there is something I want to carve into my spirit, my emotions, my soul, I plaster it on the fridge, the bathroom mirror, the kitchen window and anywhere else that I spend time. Today is the day to remind myself—When You Don’t Feel Like Praying, Pray! How about you?
©JP 2013
Joyce, this corresponds perfectly with what I recently wrote in my blog. When we experience things like anxiety or depression we can become frozen, seemingly unable to move, let alone pray. But once we break through this "wall" and pray, God does move! And peace comes. There's power in it! Thanks, Joyce. Jeanne
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