Prayer time! Jesus reminds us that through prayer we converse with the Father. He was a model that we can call on the Father and when we pray the Will of our Father, watch for the blessing. We can talk to the Heavenly Father throughout the day. We recognize the importance of sharing and caring for the body of Christ. Being obedience to the Holy Spirit, we pray. For more about prayer, we invite you also to share in our cafe for online videos.
Prayer time is another opportunity to remember that God’s mercy is new today. Today, new mercy is ours. Today, you rise up with grace and mercy, no matter the circumstance. The lyrics and sounds of this video are that of Soulful Sounds. I hope it is a reminder of how faithful God is even in this moment.
Grace is unmerited favor. No, I did not deserve another chance; but God gave it me. I am thankful for that right now. It is wonderful to know that Jesus is presenting me before God’s throne of grace. What about you?
The songwriter sang,
"Your grace and mercy brought me through, if it wasn't for Your love, tell me what would I do? Your blood redeemed me, made me brand new, it was Your grace and mercy that brought me through." Was it grace and mercy that brought you through?
Renewed Strength
Prayer will refresh the mind and spirit. It is a time that we can renew our strength in conversations with the Lord. We can ask for forgiveness of all my sins, (known and unknown). God, today, looked beyond our faults and saw our immediate need: MERCY. He understands that only the Lamb of God is worthy; so, God, in His love, extended mercy.
Above all, the writer reminds of us of what Our Heavenly Father did:
Thank You for saving a sinner like me To tell the world salvation is free There were times when I just didn’t do right But You watched over me all day and night Your grace and mercy brought me through I’m living this moment because of You I want to thank You and praise You too
For that reason, we should desire to be obedient to God’s Will and God’s Way. Will you praise Him for His grace and mercy from where you are right now?
The words out of your mouth are powerful! Prayer is the acknowledgement of God as the Supreme and Sovereign Father. To pray is worship. We exist because of the Creator. Nothing was made without Him. Therefore, to acknowledge Him in prayer, is to recognize this. We communicate with God through prayer. Notice, the word “with.” Two-factor verification! For the Word of God calls upon us to pray without ceasing. Prayer without ceasing means the recognition of our continual dependence upon God. To ignore prayer is to ignore the quality and dependence of our life.
Common Obstacles to Daily Prayer
People often cite busyness as a challenge of daily prayer. Truthfully, there is too much happening around you to not pray! In teaching about prayer, Jesus’s prayer (Matthew 6:12) reflects the believer’s desire to avoid the dangers of trespasses (sin). Some people affirm that their teaching is another challenge to a regular prayer life. For example, once you pray and ask something of God, let it be. However, Matthrew 7:7-8 scripture, reminds us that the Heavenly Father does not mind a consistency in our requests. God does not tire; man does. Another challenge to a strong prayer life is unbelief in the power of prayer.
A 2025 survey conducted by Strategic Renewal is that of the “State of Prayer.” This survey of more than 2000 pastors and church leaders found that there is a disconnect when it comes to prayer and leadership. Quoted in this article,
64% of pastors express heart-level conviction about gathering their people to pray, two out of three pastors (67%) describe prayer as “not important” to the core of their ministry.
The program’s findings do logically suggest that if leadership discounts regular prayer life, then those who they lead is apt to do the same.
Prayer is a command of God; it is a gift of God. It is God’s instruction for believers to accomplish his tasks (God’s will) in earth. Prayer can appeal to God’s compassion. For example, the word “repent” means “sorrow” or “to bring comfort.” In prayer, humans can access God’s compassion. As believers, we can offer our prayers to change or intervene in God’s consequences. In Jeremiah 18:8, we see this concept at work. “And if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.” God deals with evil and good; disobedience and obedience. There are consequences of each. While we cannot change God’s mind, we can ask for His comfort and curb the consequences of our actions (Job 1:4).
Practical Tips for Incorporating Prayer into Your Routine
Throughout the day, we can incorporate prayer into our daily routine. At the start of the day, we can thank God and ask for his guidance and protection in all that we do in this day (our daily bread). Pray over our meals. Give thanks. Acknowledge His presence with simple statements from the Word of God. For instance, “Thank you Heavenly Father, for protecting my family.” “Thank you, God, for your Holy Spirit guiding and teaching me right now.”God looks at the sincerity of the heart not at the number of times or how long you pray.
Today, we are blessed to have bible apps as one of the helpful tools for incorporating prayer into our routines and building consistency. However, God enjoys hearing your words. Yes, for over twenty years, I have a special covenant group of prayer partners. They are special encouragers. Perhaps, you may want to join a prayer circle of believers who are willing to covenant (agree) pray consistently with you. Check out ourprayers on this website which are always available. Still, remember, God wants to hear your voice speaking His Word. He wants to speak into your ears.
I, also, enjoy prayer journals. One of my favorite things that you may enjoy is writing to God. Sometimes, I only scribble a word or two to express my emotions; date it. Sometimes, I simplify draw. Other times, I just have that cup of coffee and say, “God, I am here listening for you.”
The Impact of Prayer on Spiritual Wellness
It is the consistency of prayer that contributes to overall spiritual health. It brings a consistency in calming the emotions by invoking good thoughts toward Him releases anxiety. Positively speak back what the Word says, i.e., Psalm 23; Psalm 91. The visualization of God as the comforter and CEO is affirmation of your faith.
In an upcoming blog post, we want to share more about angels of God concerning prayer.
The following blog posts are suggestive reads about prayer. We suggest Gardenia’s Radio Listening and these blog posts:
One of the most bizarre conversations between God and Jerimiah is that in the scriptures of Jeremiah 14:11-18. The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Do not pray for these people anymore.” At first look, it does not make sense. Why would a loving God say such a thing?
But God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. The explanation from God, in this situation, holds true. God speaks to Jeremiah and make it plain. “These people are caught up in wickedness. They fast and pray, but their hearts are not true. Their prophets tell lies. They say that I sent them, and I did not. Even the more, they prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. Foolishness is in their lying hearts.”
Jeremiah Given Another Task
“Remind the people,” God said, “that I cry night and day because of their actions… the destruction, disease, and famine that they are going through are due to their sinful ways. Even their prophets and priests do not know what they are doing [paraphrased].”
In other words, enough spankings to get them to do what tis right; now a greater wrath before others are loss and caught up in their sinful ways.
Jeremiah Pleads for Healing
Consequently, in this scripture, Jeremiah pleads for the land and people he loves. “Yes, the people are wicked. They are disobedient.”
“Lord, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We all have sinned against you. For the sake of your reputation, Lord do not abandon us. Do not disgrace your own glorious throne. Please remember us and do not break your covenant with us,” Jeremiah 14:20-21 NLT.
Even If Moses and Samuel Asked
Can you imagine that even if Moses, himself, or Samuel stood up to intercede (ask)for these people, God’s answer is, “I will not help.” The disobedience is too great. Now, those who are destined to die – will die; those who are destined for war – will see war; those who are destined for famine – famine; and yes, those who are destined for captivity, will go into captivity (Jeremiah 15:1-2).
Looking Through the Hourglass
Understand that God is allowing these things to His people, who are chosen among all other nations. They are the first called to be a nation who will represent what it is to be obedient and trust God.
In the New Testament scriptures, it is the body of Christ (believers), who is to show what it is to love and obey the Heavenly Father. Therefore, judgement begins at the house of God, 1 Peter 4:17-19. As the body of Christ, we make a choice (through freewill) and must give others the same respect (freewill) to live for Him.
Covenant
In summary, it is best not to make a covenant than to break a covenant. The Beatitudes (Matthew 5) is to be the character model, stated by Christ. It is not a conformity to my attitude, my ways, and my thoughts. Perhaps, truthfully, the body of Christ acts superficially in many ways. For example, an ultimate reliance upon political systems to bring about spiritual submission to the Almighty is foolish. Like the people in Jeremiah’s day, trying to use worldly systems to fix a spiritual problem, can lead to failure. For this reason, many unbelievers question believers’ motives and love as the body of Christ.
Thus, can we become so zealous in our own ways and thoughts that we could cause God to say again, “Do not pray for these people anymore?”
God gives people a peak-a-boo, a warning, of what is to come when disobedience is without personal true repentance. Yet, He shows mercy each day. For more like this one, read Blessings During and After Captivity.
