Troubles? Worries? God’s Listening
by Carol Carpenter Fisher
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7 (Living Bible)
God doesn’t want you to dwell in pain or discomfort. You can choose to stay there, or you can choose to surround yourself with happiness and peace, a peace that passes all understanding.
Oftentimes, we simply get surrounded by troubles and we need to remove ourselves from them, at least temporarily. If you can’t “get down to the river to pray,” why not try something else? The word, “pray,” as defined in the dictionary, means “to address God with a devout petition; to request something fervently ; to implore.” When we pray, we express our worship and adoration, laying our requests before God, with anticipation for his guidance and wisdom; so, why not consider seeking God in the PRAYER CLOSET.
Prayer is as necessary as the air we breathe. It is the way we talk to God. Just as our bodies need oxygen to survive, our spirit needs the power that communication with God gives us to thrive. When we are in constant communication with the Lord, he nourishes our souls.
Prayer is as necessary as the air we breathe. It is the way we talk to God.
God makes it easy for us to communicate with him, even if we are unsure of how to do so. Throughout scripture, God speaks about this form of communication. The most notable passage is The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6: 9-13 in which Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray.
You don’t need a special place to retreat and pray, although some people use a quiet place or an actual closet in a spare room, or an empty pantry. The Lord loves to hear you speak with him, so wherever we do it, it matters not the place or amount of time you spend. You can whisper private informal short prayers, pray the Lord’s Prayer, or simply tell God what is on your heart.
Why not invite God into your life, whether it be to share time with him in your “prayer closet” or even out in nature, wherever you feel most comfortable speaking with your Lord. So, whether you want to share your joys or concerns, God is always ready to listen. What a wonderful, caring God we have the privilege of loving and partnering with as we serve others!
May God bless and keep you this day and every day.
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