Paul commands us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In Mark’s gospel Jesus says: “Be on guard, watch and pray”. He later adds: “And what I say to you, I say to all”.
This shows us two things: we are all capable of praying and, as Christians, we are commanded to pray. With prayer taking on such different forms, be it meditation, intercession or prayer for healing, what kind of prayer is Jesus referring to here? He is asking that we simply come to Him, as we are, in the belief that He can save us.
“I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich” (Revelations 3:18)
These riches are easily obtained and freely given to us by our heavenly Father (see Revelations 22:17). Those who are dissatisfied, impoverished, burdened by sorrow or riddled with disease – God asks that you come to Him for rest and healing. We are children of the living God and no matter where we have wandered, how we have sinned or how much our pride prevents us from getting on our knees, Jesus asks us to come to Him.
In that place of prayer we can learn how to live in the presence and protection of God and his Holy Spirit. We will learn that prayer is not just something we do with our head, but something that requires the engagement of our heart. This prayer of our heart cannot be affected by our wandering thoughts or anxieties, but instead it ushers us into a place of intimacy with God where we can be renewed and refreshed.
Prayer is not something to be intimidated by. It is the simple act of humbling ourselves before God in order to develop a relationship with Him that will transform our lives forever and enable us to be truly fulfilled.
Post published in: Faith