Have you ever stood in the middle of Church and wondered why everyone prays so much? I always knew prayer was a part of the Christian faith but until I was reading about it and writing my notes on this topic is when it really hit me that Prayer is a powerful tool for Christians. So powerful and so important to a Christians walk in faith that I won’t entirely cover the whole topic. Prayer is not difficult but something we as Christians need to be intentional about and it needs to come from the heart and most importantly come from a place of faith inside you. I will admit that I don’t pray often enough, something I am working on and being more intentional about. I have prayed from time to time, I often have not received the answer I was wanting at the time I needed it. And often believers, especially new believers, find a bit of frustration with this. Cause not only do we need to pray and pray often not just for ourselves but for others. But we have to be mindful of what we ask for, “Are you prepared to do as God asks of you?” I know that sounds confusing, but I will attempt to clarify this.

I know for me in my alcoholic adventures there were many times I had my head hung against the side of the toilet asking God, “Please get me through this and I won’t tough another drop!” The next day would come, and all would be fine and of course I never kept my end of the request. Of course, the next time I got in that shape I did the same. I never realized that even though I kept asking God was so good to me to deliver me to the next day and I was so disobedient I kept repeating the same old habit. But there were consequences in this, money got tight, bills weren’t getting paid, and I blamed everyone but myself for the reasons. What blessings would I have received then if only I held up my end of the request? All I had to do was not drink another drop as I told God I would.

Not long ago, I prayed for God to give me a way to become a writer like I had always wanted and so that I can pay the bills with while focusing on building my two businesses and not have to work for the company I am currently working for. I couldn’t even tell you what day it was but I know it wasn’t that long ago and on January 23^rd , I had a feeling come over me that I needed to create this website for a blog. I had no idea what I was going to write about, I really have no idea what I am doing with a website but so far I have given it my best effort. I will need to ask for some help to get the website where I really want it. But I got the website somewhat built but I needed to set the groundwork of what to write about. I sat there staring at the screen. Then all of a sudden I started to type and “In the Beginning” was on the screen of the computer. It came to me, why not write about my own Journey. My own development because I am sure my experience is going to hit right at home with someone else that had the hesitations, the anxiety of doing something outside my comfort zone. Right now, the website doesn’t bring in any money, but I am writing. God placed it on my heart to create this, so I did. No…God’s voice didn’t blast in my ear and tell me to do this. But I felt an urgency to do this. That is what I am talking about when I asked the question earlier, “Are you prepared to do as God asks you?” I prayed to be a writer, I waited patiently, and I listened. I had no idea what he would put in my path or if he would even place something in my path to be a writer. But when I had the feeling, it was like a tug on my shirt like someone trying to get my attention. When it happened I went to work, time will tell what happens from here.

The power of prayer was on display in front of the whole sporting world on January 2, 2023, when during Monday Night Football, Damar Hamlin, suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of the field during the game. The whole stadium stood in silence watching, T.V. viewers where stunned as medical professionals rushed to save his life. The events that happened afterwards brought tears to my eyes and a filling of fullness as thousands gathered in the stands, outside the hospital and attending special Church services praying for the young man’s recovery. Sports analyst praying on live television. All this in times when prayer has been under attack by being removed from schools, removed from buildings, and deemed offensive to people all over. But thousands gather regardless and prayed. God showed up and answered…and I tell you he answered with the world as a witness to it. I just remembered say, “Amen!” as I seen the updates of how he was recovering. If you never prayed before this event should have brought you to your knees and pray. I know I did.

Numbers chapter 11 talks about out the people prayed for food and God provided manna but the people were upset that it wasn’t meat. So, God gave them enough meat that it would come out their nostrils. Or at least my take on it, hopefully I read that correctly. But that was my take on it. So, we need to be mindful of what we pray for and be thankful for the blessing we receive no matter if it is not exactly what we are asking. God knows what we need before we even ask. He has what we need laid out for us and is just waiting for us to come to him.

Prayer doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just like sitting next to your parent or grandparent having a conversation, looking for that advice even. We may not like the answers we get but we have to be thankful for the answer we do get. We also need to be obedient to God and follow his instructions, continuously actively listening for when he answers. This builds that Christian relationship with the Holy Father; it is a line of communication between us. We often miss out on blessings because we pray, then we don’t listen, and we end up doing whatever we think is best. God already knows what is best, we just have to listen and do as he instructs. And if we make a promise to him in our prayer, we better be ready to hold up our end of the promise because he is going to make good on his end. I have prayed to own a business, now I own two. I prayed to be a writer and now I have a website that allows me to do that. Nerve wrecking as it was because I had no idea where to start but so far, I have made it happen because God has given me a way.

So, make time to pray, make time to listen, and just make time for God first. Blessings will pour out and I pray that you are ready to receive what God has in store for us all.