Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray
Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray
Our Prayers Never Burden or Weary God—There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his request before King Artaxerxes. A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul. {Pr 10.1}
Although there may be a tainted, corrupted atmosphere around us, we need not breathe its miasma, but may live in the pure air of heaven. We may close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts by lifting the soul into the presence of God through sincere prayer. Those whose hearts are open to receive the support and blessing of God will walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth and will have constant communion with heaven. {Pr 10.2}
One’s prayer life must be exercised continually, that it may come as natural as breathing. We do not stop to think about breathing, nor should we about praying. Daniel’s soul entered into God’s presence in the evening, morning, and at noon. He loved to commune with God. The more he was in God’s presence, the less he was in the polluted environment around him. God does not tire from hearing and answering prayers. The more we open up our hearts to Him, the more He can abide in us. Lift up your prayers to God as sweet incense and you will stay in constant communion with heaven.
Dear God,
We thank You for giving us the gift of prayer, and the privilege of allowing us to come speak to You and hear Your voice. You have provided us a continual lifeline to heaven, and we are so grateful to be in Your presence. As we commune with You we pray that You may abide in us, and we in You. We pray that as we go about our day that we will seek every opportunity we get to reach out to You and receive the support and blessing for a holier atmosphere than that of earth. To be able to live and breathe the pure air of heaven. We thank You for Your long-suffering towards us, for not growing tired of hearing and answering our prayers. We are so thankful for Your continual presence, Your protection, and for keeping us close to Your bosom. We pray for Your divine guidance and that Your light be a lamp unto our feet. We pray for Your light to shine in us and reflect unto others in this dark world. Help us to stay on the strait path that leads to Your heavenly kingdom. Help us and increase our faith to believe our prayers will be answered. Let us be like Daniel, who prayed throughout the day openly, never ashamed to call upon Your name. May our prayers be as sweet incense lifted into Your heavenly sanctuary. No matter where we may be, may our earnest and sincere prayers reach Your ears of love and sympathy. If there is anything we fail to ask, we pray that You grant it unto us according to Your will. Save us , dear Lord and forgive us of our sins. We lift our prayers to the Most Holy Place in the Heavenly Sanctuary. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
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