Prayer is so vital

I just really felt like the Lord was telling me to devote this day's study to prayer.  Here in the South, Wednesdays are often "prayer meeting" days for many of the churches. Folks meet and sing some hymns, and then there is a time that they can voice their requests for prayer.

Sometimes a request is shared, that has a name you can hang your hat on. A sickness, some grief, a decision that needs to be made.
Sometimes a request can be so personal - so much a matter between that person and God, that it is voiced simply as an "unspoken" request.

All of us are sisters in Christ, and can help to "bear one another's burdens" by seeking the Lord in prayer, and lifting up the requests that we are aware of. When Tonya started this study blog, she wrote a page called "How to Pray" that can be found on the list on the right-hand side of the main page. Click there and read her thoughts on prayer, and the guidelines that she listed --- the ACTS reminders for our prayer time.

I'd like to offer some verses about prayer. I'm sure they are familiar to you:
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing. in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

And as I alluded to earlier, in Galations 6:2, Paul reminds us to "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

We can learn from Christ's example: Luke tells us that Jesus went away to the mountain to spend all night in prayer.

I hope you will set aside a few moments today, perhaps now, perhaps later.  Clear your mind of all distractions, and begin by telling the Lord of your adoration of Him. Don't worry if you can't find just the right words --- Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us when we can't say what we want to say to Him.
Continue by confessing your sin -- your prayers can't be effective if you are holding on to some sin that would distance you from Jesus.
Thank Him for His mercy, His grace, and His love for you. Step out in faith, and thank Him for the answers that He will provide for you.
Then ask Him your specific requests. Pour out your heart to God, and let His peace fill you.  Claim the promise of I John 5: 14-15:
And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 

Please contact me by email if you have a request that you would like for us to pray for. Or leave me a comment asking me to follow up with you -- I will, and I will post your request on the Prayer page of this blog. Also check the Prayer Request page, and if a request is out of date, please let me know so that I can keep the page up to date for all of us.
Prayer is so vital. We can be prayer warriors, and be blessings to each other. We are most powerful on our knees.