Prayer is a Way to Abide in Christ

There are many ways to abide in Christ. One of those ways is through consistent, intentional time spent in conversation with Him through prayer. Through prayer we see our own hearts transformed as we spend time praising, offering thanks, petitioning and repenting to God.

Drowning in Dry Seasons

Last Friday morning at the weekly women’s fellowship gathering I attend, the woman leading the discussion shared how “dry” she’s been feeling lately. She realized that in the busyness of life and surrounded often by unbelievers, she was starting to feel as though she had nothing left to pour into others. She had become spiritually dry.

Her quiet morning time with the Lord was often eaten up by thoughts of tasks she needed to accomplish, kiddos that needed her help and tiredness. Lately she found herself so exhausted in the morning she would hit the snooze button for an entire hour, essentially relinquishing unhurried time in prayer and Bible study for a bit more sleep. And she was starting to feel the effects.

I know what this feels like. I’m guessing you do too.

Jesus Prioritized Prayer

We know prayer is important. We know prayer is powerful. In the gospels, over and over again, we see Jesus taking time to pray. We see him prioritize prayer. We see him teach his disciples how to pray. We see him “retreating” to a quiet place to focus on talking to God.

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.”

Luke 6:12

I’m not saying you have to go to the mountain and pray all night. I don’t think that’s what Jesus is saying either. What he’s doing is modeling what it looks like to make prayer a priority, a foundational part of our life.

I will admit this has been a struggle for me. Maybe it’s been one for you?

Why Does Praying Sometimes Feel So Hard?

Why is something so good, so important, so foundational to our lives as Christian women so hard?

Maybe it’s because it is so valuable? Because it is our first and greatest weapon along with Scripture, against the enemy. Prayer is not only our defense, it is our offense. It’s what we lead with. It’s what we fight with, knowing that Jesus has won the victory over sin and grave.

Prayer is our open door to the God of the universe. To the maker of heaven and earth.

When we are “prayed up” we are prepared. Prepared to pour into others. Prepared to face opposition. Prepared to respond with love and kindness and truth.

If today, you’re feeling spiritually dry… it’s time to go back to the living water that only Jesus gives.

Access to God

You can come before God in prayer any time, any place. Jesus made that possible for us. He also taught his disciples how to pray. Not to give them a formula, but a format.

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) shows us that when we come to God in prayer we are praising Him above all else, acknowledging His authority, thanking Him for providing all that we have, petitioning him for our needs and repenting of our sins, turning our hearts back to him.

Praise.
Thanksgiving.
Petition.
Repentance.

Our prayer lives can be rich and alive or they can be dry and dead. Prayer doesn’t always change our circumstances but it will change our hearts. Prayer is a gift we have all been given the opportunity to open. But like the mother load of gold, hidden deep within a mine, we have to be willing to make it a priority in our lives to get to a place where it is our first response not our last reaction. We have to make time for it and guard that time, knowing that time spent with Our Father is gold.

Your Prayers Don’t Have to Be “Perfect”

God isn’t looking for perfect prayers from you. He isn’t grading your eloquence or hoping you’ll “get it right.” He wants you to show up. To spend time with Him. To focus your heart and your mind on Him. Whether it’s from the top of the mountain, or deep in the valley, next to your shoes in the closet or at the kitchen sink.

Praise.
Thanksgiving.
Petition.
Repentance.

Prayer is such a deep topic and we’ve only just scratched the surface. If you’re looking for more resources, I’ve put together a blog post with a list of prayer resources that might help you.