A Time for Prayer

‘Time in the Word’ By Clayton Adams

Prayer — it’s the way we talk with God.

People pray for all types of reasons; for safety, health, blessings, protection, healing, a new job, old and new relationships, for things needed, for unmet needs, whatever is in the human heart — it has been prayed for.

Prayer can be a very private or public. Private prayer gives one the opportunity to speak freely, sharing deep needs to God but unspoken to others.

Public prayer gives many people encouragement and helps to settle our souls. To hear someone, pray publicly gives one confidence and hope for the future.

Do you have a need that you have been bringing to God? This is exactly what God wants you to do — to be persistent in your prayers (Luke 18:1-8). Do not stop praying. One may be tempted to believe that because one has been asking for years and sees no change that God doesn’t hear or isn’t going to answer — but He will answer if we persist.

What is the purpose of your prayer? Is it for the benefit of others or is it to meet a selfish desire?

Check your motivation for praying what you pray for.

Jabez prayed, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” God answered this prayer! Jabez did not ask out of selfishness or pride. Are you walking through the valley of the shadow of death? Is a loved one or friend in the process of dying? This prayer is for you: You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass.

You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD” (Psalm 23:1-6).

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well known of all the prayers in the Bible.

Perhaps the darkest time in a person’s life is when a loved one or friend is dying (the valley of the shadow of death). Doctors, do not have all the answers, nor can they answer the questions “How long do I have or why am I still here?” They do their best, but our lives and deaths are in God’s hands.

Perhaps you feel as the great prophet Elijah felt.

Elijah was overwhelmed with the feelings of fear, physically, emotionally and spiritually drained and said, “I alone am left…” (1 Kings 19:10). There are times we feel all alone. Do you know this feeling of being alone? Elijah felt so depressed and in despair he asked God to take his life, “It is enough now Lord, take my life…” (1 Kings 19:4). Elijah was feeling low, some say he was depressed and wanted to die.

But God… But God had a different plan. God said to Elijah (after Elijah was well rested and fed) to get up and go back to where he came from for God had something greater for Elijah to accomplish. God answered Elijah’s prayer but not in the way Elijah was expecting. Like He did for Elijah, God answers our prayers differently than we expect.

The apostle Paul’s words are a great prayer. “But we have this treasure (Christ) in earthen vessels (our lives), so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in very way, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not forgotten; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be made known in our body, (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).

Our lives, no matter the difficulty, stress, darkness or loneliness is how the light of Christ shines in this world. We are not perfect, but we are made perfect in Christ’s love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.

Whatever you are going through, God has a purpose, He has not forgotten you, He is not punishing you.

God loves you and wants you with Him in Heaven for all eternity.

You may not be an eloquent speaker but God most certainly hears your prayers. God is listening to you. Speak with Him and then listen.

Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. E-mail him at claytonpadamslll@ gmail.com.