Hi
Need to pray, but a bit apprehensive? Here’s hoping that after reading today’s Holy Nougat and the reflection, you will feel readied to approach the Throne of Grace.
“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,”. Ephesians 3:14 NLT
Prayer. The One-stop shop for all that ails is. The good, the bad, the hurting, the yearning. Prayer provides us an outlet to express all those and more.
It can be as short as one breath, ‘Lord’; or paragraphs long, depending on what needs to be expressed, the mental/emotional state of the person praying and even the person’s expectations.
Sometimes while we’re praying, it feels like our prayer is bouncing back to earth (unanswered). Ignore that. Sometimes it seems like our prayers yield the opposite response from what we have sought. Go back and ask God for clarification. Sometimes it is as if our prayer has more oomph when breathed by someone else. It may be that that person spends lots of time praying and so has direct access and impact in the heavenlies (s/he has more experience battling the foes perhaps – but remember; Daniel’s prayer was also delayed). That’s okay. Ask for their coverage if you prefer, but keep praying until you are that person.
Some argue that prayer changes nothing; for God already planned what God’s doing. Erm, maybe. But I’d contend that prayer is a conversation. Us with God. And while God knows what’s on our hearts, God desires to hear from us. Individually and directly. Praying affords is that opportunity and can even give us a glimpse of God’s heart. (Of course, that requires a full fledged conversation and not a parting command). And sometimes, it is our hearts which are changed by prayer.
Interestingly, the Ephesians were trying to figure out who they were in Christ at the time they received this Word. Paul marveled at the move of God, despite his own afflictions. (We can pray for others or celebrate God’s move in their lives even when it isn’t well with us.) He also usedthis letter to assure them that prayer strengthens the believer during affliction, and is part of our all purpose armour/weaponry.
Today I pray that God meets you at the point of your need, shares in your joy, comforts your distress and infuses you with the glorious Peace which comes from the Throne of Grace.
God bless you
Good morning
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
