"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)
I think that it was an amazing thing to watch Jesus pray! Notice how it says in the verse "when he finished." No one dared to interrupt that sacred moment.
It's amazing how Jesus could have a crowd of people around him and so easily just slip away to pray and be alone with the Father. (Mark 6:46) this is something that we need to practice in our relationship with the Lord. We need to slip away to Him during our day. Oh that some of us would go up to the mountains or into the woods and not come back for a few days! Just be alone with God. Not to get something from Him, but just to be with Him.
Jesus was a man of prayer! Notice how the disciples never asked Him. "Lord, teach us to preach." Or "Lord teach us to walk on water." Or "Lord, teach us to cast out demons." They asked "teach us to pray." Do people see that in your walk with the Lord? Has anyone ever come up and asked you "teach me to pray?" We need to be people of prayer!
There is nothing that cannot be accomplished through prayer. There is no obstacle or trial in your life that can't be overcome through prayer. So many believers with besetting sins in their lives have come to the conclusion that "this is just how it's gonna be!" So your going to blame your sin on the sovereignty of God?!?! Do not use that as an excuse! Fight sin on your knees until God delivers you!
There is nothing withheld from God's beloved. There is no spiritual blessing He will withhold from you! There is no measure of His presence that He will deny you, but you have not because you ask not! (James 4:3) We must be people who know our God intimately. It is one thing to know about God, it's another thing to know God! Every time we pray the Father bends down to hear us. He longs for us to come to Him.
Prayer can have an effect not only on your life, but also the lives of others. In the words of John Piper:
"Prayer causes things to happen, that wouldn't normally happen unless you prayed for it to happen."
As I said earlier, we must be people of prayer. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to "Pray without ceasing..." There are people I've heard say "well I don't have a specific time alone in prayer. I just kind of practice the presence of God as I go throughout my day." I believe that practicing the presence of God is born out of those times you spend alone in secret prayer.
So I encourage you to spend time alone in prayer with the God who loves you! He wants to hear from you and help you work things out in your life so go to Him with everything! 1 Peter 5:7 says "Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you."
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