The Gift of Prayer

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5-7

Pain and struggles are not avoidable, in fact they are often inevitable. But that doesn’t make them any easier to endure. Sometimes the challenges of this life seem too big to change. Whether you, yourself are struggling or you are walking alongside someone who is, the daily practice of bringing the pain before the Lord can be difficult. It may feel futile or discouraging. However, Philippians reminds us that it is not.

Although God knows our situations, thoughts and feelings, he wants us to come before him in prayer. He desires for us to bring him every situation we face, both the big and the small, the good and the bad. To lay them at his feet and to do so with thanksgiving each and every day. This practice is at the heart of our faith. Prayer reminds us that the God and creator of the universe cares intimately for every single one of us. Our Lord desires to have a personal relationship with us and invites us to communicate with him through prayer.

No request is too small or too big to bring before our Heavenly Father. When we feel weighed down by what comes our way, or overwhelmed by the pain others are enduring, God wants us to turn to him. When we feel anxious over a small or big decision; when we feel lost on how to best help our kids or family; when we are weary and don’t know why, our Lord wants us to turn to him with our questions and requests. God doesn’t promise us the answer we want or a swift fix. But he does tell us that when we come before him in every situation, he will be there and will walk alongside us to fill us with peace and strength.

As you enter this week what situations or feelings do you need to bring before the Lord? Is there someone that God has laid on your heart that you can pray for? What is one way you can add more prayer into your day?

Prayer

Lord, We thank you for the gift of prayer and your desire to be in communication with us. As we go throughout this week we pray for your presence. Give us the confidence and reminder to bring you every situation we face, no matter how big or small. May we turn to you first with both our thanksgivings and requests. As we do so, may we see how you are working in ways we never realized before. We pray this in your son’s name, Amen.

Blessings in your week,

Makalah Scholten
Spiritual Care Coordinator

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