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Pray

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One word: with.

If you are in a relationship with Jesus, I won’t pray for you.

If you know him, I pray with you—we are united in Christ. We are part of one body (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:27). You pray. I pray. We pray.

Yeah, you might feel like you don’t know what to say, you are grieving, you’re anxious, you’re angry, you’re feeling guilty, you’re in a tough, tight, low, rocky, chaotic, _______put your own, unique adjective here (God knows what it is), proud, bitter, murky-looking, and/or dismal spot. Hand it over! He can handle it! He wants to!

“…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19).

He knows. He sees. He loves—more than we can comprehend. He is here, near:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Psalm 139:7-12).

He’s there. He’s listening.

“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Prayer is talking to God. Because he loves us more than anyone ever has or ever will, he loves to hear from us. He loves his relationship with you. And, if you don’t have a relationship with him, he would love to start now, so tell him! Pray! He is waiting (Revelation 3:20). He is kind (Matthew 11:29). He is faithful (Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20).

‘Haven’t got a prayer’ translates to hopeless. But hope in Christ! He is peace. He is the only route to God. And he provides authentic peace. Not only that, but God gives totally free and totally fulfilling: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

So, pray for the hopeless. Help, love, serve, and give in the name of Jesus! And, by all means, in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18): pray! He wants to hear you.

He understands. He knows. He sees. He’s present. He loves.

He is like a mother, who levels herself to make eye contact with her child:

“Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:2)

Never prayed before? Pray with me.


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