When times are fairly easy and good, we tend to fall into the terrible habit of living from day to day as if God didn't exist and we didn't need Him anyway. We navigate through life's little challenges and problems with our own wits and our own goals in mind, and congratulate ourselves at the end of the day that we got through pretty well, all things considered. That is, until our merry little boat is suddenly swamped by a huge, unseen wave of calamity--THEN we're painfully reminded of our vulnerability, our mortality, and the treacherousness of life, and cry out for help to the God whom we've so long taken for granted. What we usually fail to appreciate until much later is that being shaken out of our complacency is a good and healthy thing, as it tends to restore communication with the One whom we should have had leading us along every hour of every day, in good times as well as bad.When we were born, we passed from our Creator's presence into a world of shadows and fog, illusions and half-light, mountains and chasms. At any moment in our lives we grasp only part of the truth, and must search for the rest, which may be obscured and distorted. Our intellect is limited, and we are distracted from pursuing what is true and right by the temptations of this world. We are discouraged by obstacles and may fall into a pit of confusion and despair, over and over again. How do we regain the road of hope and purpose? How do we discern the will of Him who made us, and secure His aid and comfort amidst the stresses and storms of life?
Prayer! It is our lifeline to God, our tether to the Eternal, our anchor in an endless ocean of trouble. Through it we repent of our waywardness and lay our lives at His feet. Through it we can pour out our hearts and seek guidance and support from our loving Lord. Through it we gain strength to fight the powers of darkness and to do God's will. Prayer is also the means by which we thank our Heavenly Father for all our countless blessings and for His help, and by which our souls sing His praises, as it should every moment. Prayer opens to us the light of God's truth and peace, and involves our Lord in every aspect of our lives and our doings here on earth. It is truly a stairway to, and from, Heaven.
This is how we were meant to walk upon the earth, our whole lives offered up as a prayer of supplication, consecration, thanksgiving, praise, and joy to our beloved Lord. In order to do this, as the Apostle Paul taught, we must “[p]ray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The formula is to "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7) The Savior himself said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matt. 7:7-8)
What precious promises! What better way to live one's life, every hour of every day, than in communion with the One who transcends all trouble and darkness, and whose light outshines anything and everything in this mortal world! Prayer is the key--be turning it ALL the time!
Prayer! It is our lifeline to God, our tether to the Eternal, our anchor in an endless ocean of trouble. Through it we repent of our waywardness and lay our lives at His feet. Through it we can pour out our hearts and seek guidance and support from our loving Lord. Through it we gain strength to fight the powers of darkness and to do God's will. Prayer is also the means by which we thank our Heavenly Father for all our countless blessings and for His help, and by which our souls sing His praises, as it should every moment. Prayer opens to us the light of God's truth and peace, and involves our Lord in every aspect of our lives and our doings here on earth. It is truly a stairway to, and from, Heaven.
This is how we were meant to walk upon the earth, our whole lives offered up as a prayer of supplication, consecration, thanksgiving, praise, and joy to our beloved Lord. In order to do this, as the Apostle Paul taught, we must “[p]ray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The formula is to "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7) The Savior himself said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matt. 7:7-8)What precious promises! What better way to live one's life, every hour of every day, than in communion with the One who transcends all trouble and darkness, and whose light outshines anything and everything in this mortal world! Prayer is the key--be turning it ALL the time!
Tom Fleming
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