Prayer
We were born with the ability to do it, even before we could formulate words let alone sentences. We spend the majority of our day doing it. It becomes an important part of who we are and how others perceive us. Sometimes we exceed the normal levels of expectations, other times we fail to follow through with it. It is an act of sending and receiving. You are gauged by your ability to perform it, or inability to execute it. We can do it with one person or with many all at the same time.
It is our carefully created and very important attribute that is communication. Our ability to communicate is spoken of and discussed numerous times throughout scripture. How we communicate to others is a central topic discussed throughout the New Testament. In Ephesians 4:29 and 5:19 for instance Paul gives explicit instructions on how we are to communicate with those around us.
But we aren’t just created with the ability to communicate with others. In fact, we are created with the purpose of being in a constant relationship with God. We were never designed to live life separately from God. We were created to glorify God, the most high and in turn Jesus who is elevated to the highest place as Paul explains in Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV):
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The word used in scripture is “Adonai” which translates to “My Lord” is used to describe the Lord of all the Earth (Joshua 3:11). This past Sunday we learned about the usage of this word and it’s application into how we pray. Are you praying with the realization that you are communicating with the “Most High” the God of all creation? Imagine walking into His throne room and being at the feet of the “Most High”. How would you respond? How would you respond to His holiness? How do you communicate with such greatness?
This is where prayer comes in. Prayer is how we exercise our relationship with God. As followers of Christ, it is essential as it is our source of communication with God. Just as we were given the ability to communicate with those around us, we are also given the ability to communicate with the “Most High.” We have this ability whenever we want, through any situation, any circumstance, any mood. Unlike our inability to communicate with others due to circumstance, we can communicate with God any chance we get. It is so essential that without prayer we would be living life on our own strength and that will never sustain us.
We were never created to live life separate from the “Most High”, Quite the opposite. Through prayer we can enjoy an intimate relationship with the Lord. My encouragement for you today is that you don’t let prayer become just another “to-do” item on the ever increasing list that governs our daily lives. That you would pursue Him in all that you do. I believe wholeheartedly that prayer is what sustains us, and that a generation that prays is a generation that knows love. True love.
You see, prayer is not religious, its not accessible to any religion except Christianity because of what Jesus demonstrated prayer as. There is only one true God, all other gods are idols that can’t see or hear. But Jesus, our “Most High”, the one to be feared with awe and reverence, is accessible through prayer. Prayer is our tap into that intimate closeness that we all seek and crave.
Every move of God has started with an intercession and prayer. When we step out on our own separate from God we stumble and falter. We were never created to do life alone. Prayer is that relationship, it is that life with God.
Today, my hope is that you take pause to pray, to worship, to exalt the “Most High”. That you fully surrender to His Kingdom and His Will and taste the fruit that is good.
Written by: Bryan Holt
Further Reading for Encouragement and Devotion
Psalm 8:1
Philippians 2:9-11
Exodus 3:1-17
Isaiah 6:1-8
Revelation 1:9-20
Worship Song
Below is a worship song to listen to along with today’s devotional.
