I Choose Today to pray

As I was reflecting on my desire of falling deeper in love with God in 2023, I asked the Lord what I should focus on this year. As I waited quietly in my quiet time, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to pray.

There are many demonstrations of prayer in God’s Word. Jesus prayed all the time: for others, for healing, for strength, and because of His relationship with His Father.

He, the Son of God, knew the importance of prayer, the importance of communing with God. He knew by spending time with His Father would prepare His heart and mind for His purpose and fulfilling the plan set out before Him.

But Jesus was divine, the Son of God. Of course God would listen, speak, give guidance, provide comfort, impart power to Him. But I am not Jesus. I am a broken human. Who am I that God should listen, guide, or speak to me?

All I have to do is look to His Word to see how God answers prayer for mere humans. Look at what James says about Elijah when he states, ”…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!“ James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬b-‭17. Another version says, ”…for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer! Elijah was a man with human frailties, just like all of us, but he prayed [intensely] and received supernatural answers.”

There are other examples of God answering everyday people’s prayer:

• Hannah prayed for a baby (1 Samual 1)
• Solomon’s prayer for wisdom (1 Kings 3)
• Hezekiah’s prayer for healing (2 Kings 20)
• Daniel’s prayer for understanding (Daniel 9)

So that is my desire for this year; to pray intense, heartfelt, humble prayers. I know when I do, God hears and answers. It is so exciting to see what happens as a result of my authentic,  heart-felt, fervent prayer.

Have you had a time of answered prayer? Would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment.