Prayer - Just Do It

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

(Timothy 2:1-3)

The greatest tool I have as a believer is prayer, but that being said, praying about a challenge I’m facing is not my first inclination. Being a red-blooded male, I have the desire to fix things myself, without any help. I have a tendency to only go to God in prayer when I need something. Like he is some kind of cosmic bellhop, just waiting for me to ask for something. He does often answer the requests I make, but I'm his servant, not the other way around. I don’t think that’s the way a servant is supposed to treat their master. I do have to say, when someone asks me to pray for them, I stop what I’m doing and take a moment to do just that.

When I'm praying at church or with a group, I come to an agreement with other believers and offer up petitions to address a greater need. For instance, in America, on the National Day of Prayer, we all agree to pray for our nation. Additionally, though we possibly don’t personally agree with them, we must pray for the leaders of the various levels of the government. Personal prayers are for my own needs, like praying for a new job or better health. When I pray for others I am asking God to meet their needs, like when I pray for an unsaved family member. Finally, no matter what my circumstances are I should offer up thanks for God’s provision because everything comes from him.

All of these kinds of prayer may seem ordinary and unexciting, but they are the greatest weapon we have against the schemes of Satan. He will try to convince us that God never listens, or that we’re not good enough for God to answer us. He gets knocked back on his heels every time we pray, and he will do anything he can to distract us from talking to God. We should all develop a prayer habit so strong we feel deep down that something in our day is missing when we fail to pray. God doesn’t care if the wording of our prayers isn’t perfect or pretty. He doesn’t measure the prayer’s length to determine is the request is worthy of his answer. He just wants us to talk to him like he’s our best friend, because that just what he is.

Dear heavenly Father, you are the only one who we pray to because you are the only one who can answer our prayers. Our prayers are not only a way for us to ask for your help and intercession. They are the way we talk to you about everything going on in our lives. We tend to wait until our need is desperate before we turn to you. Make us hear the Holy Spirit when he is urging us to give our troubles to you. Help us to remember to come to you with our praises and thanks, and not just with our problems. Help us to always to ask according to your will. Give us a heart to pray for the leaders of our government, even when we don’t agree with how they lead. Help us to pray they seek your counsel and rule consistent with your will. Father we only want to live in peace and quiet. Calm our spirits when they are inflamed by the current events. What kind of Christians are we if we’re arguing with someone about political differences. Help us to live a godly and dignified life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!