Here we are at the start of another year. We began the year by looking at the ‘Unanswered Prayer course’ written by Pete Greig and the 24/7 Prayer Movement (unanswered.prayercourse.org). It is so important to build upon the foundation of prayer. This course is just one way to do that. As you know, the foundation of prayer, in a Christian context, is rooted in the belief that God is always present and listening to the prayers of his followers. This belief is supported by numerous passages in scripture. One that springs to mind is 1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
This verse, and many others in the Bible, serves as a reminder that God is always present, and He hears the prayers of his followers. We often find it hard when we don’t hear back from God. Although, I believe the unanswered prayer course is helping us through this theological conundrum. Furthermore, scripture also reminds us of the power of prayer in our daily life – in confessing sins, in healing, and in granting us strength to overcome temptations, as we approach God with humility, faith, and a willingness to align our will with His.
We are reminded of how Jesus himself prayed often and taught his disciples to pray. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught his followers to pray for God’s will to be done, for daily bread, for forgiveness of sins, and for protection from evil. Prayer is not only a way to communicate with God, but it is also a way to deepen our relationship with him. In this way, prayer also serves as a means of spiritual growth and transformation. I would also say that prayer is not only an individual act but also a communal one. I’ve always encouraged you to pray for one another and to support each other in your spiritual journey and I’m grateful for those that do.
We can also build upon this foundation of prayer in many ways. You may want to start with a consistent daily routine. Just like building any habit, consistency is key. It’s important to set aside time each day to pray. This could be first thing in the morning, during lunch, or before bed. Find a time that works best for you and stick to it. We have been suggesting morning and evening prayers with some prayer points. You can also use different forms of prayer such as meditative prayer, contemplative prayer or journaling your prayers. Experiment and find what works best for you.
One of the most important aspects of prayer is building a relationship with God. Treat prayer as a conversation with God, not just a one-sided monologue. Listen for God’s voice in your life and take time to reflect on the answers to your prayers. Therefore, pray for others. Pray for your family, friends, and community. Pray for those in need, for peace in the world and for the Church. Remember to take time to thank God for the blessings in your life. Reflect on the things you are grateful for and give thanks to God. This will help you to see the good in your life and to appreciate the small things. Let us also never forget that scripture is an essential tool for building on the foundation of prayer. It will help you understand the nature of God and his plan for your life. Reading scripture will also give you a deeper understanding of the prayers you’re saying.
As I close, allow me to encourage you and share from many years of experience by saying that, building on the foundation of prayer takes time and effort, but it is worth it. A strong prayer life will deepen your relationship with God, bring peace and comfort to your life and help you to see the world in a new light. Remember to be patient, persistent and to approach prayer with an open heart and a willing spirit. In doing so you’ll come to know God more, grow in Christ Jesus and your life will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit. Be blessed.
 | David Skeet is our church team leader. Taken from the latest edition of our bi-monthly church newsletter. |