Essential Prayer

Sometimes we don’t know what we should pray and how we should say it. God doesn’t put any special requirements on prayer, He just wants us to come. We have little problem speaking our minds to other people, but when it comes to speaking of our needs to God we hesitate. God gives us a relationship with Himself and just like any other relationship, He wants to hear from us frequently. What we say in prayer and how we say it, means little in comparison to coming often to God and expressing our needs and acknowledging His goodness.

The prayer of the psalmist in Psalm 28:2 says, “Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.” The psalmist gives us three essentials for prayer; that is confession of our sins, asking for God’s favor, and recognizing who God is through praising Him.

Simplicity

Have you noticed the correlation between possessions and time? The more possessions we obtain, the more time it takes to care for and manage these possessions. Several years ago, my wife and I gave away almost all of our possessions as we headed overseas to live for several years. It was a freeing experience, not to have to care for these “things”. In our later years, we have noticed that people who hold onto a lot of possessions, make things difficult for their loved ones to manage these possessions upon their deaths. Jealousy, envy, greed, harshness, confusion and anger all rear their ugly heads upon the death of a loved one, even amidst the most loving of families. For a long time, I have encouraged older friends to “liquidate” as much as they can before they pass. Much can be said about the advantages of simplicity and avoiding the entanglements of possessions.

2 Corinthians1:12 says, “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.” We should not become entangled with worldly possessions or behaviors, but rather seek wisdom by the grace of God. Freedom from the lure of worldly possessions allows facilitates our efforts to seek God more sincerely. Following worldly behaviors only takes us farther from sincere faith in God.

Insights?

How is it that we have so many unqualified people offering advice online? They have little knowledge besides their own personal experience, and yet they offer counsel on health concerns, parenting, traveling, financial dealings, farming, and life in general. How did they gain these insights that they call hacks? Can this information be trusted? I wouldn’t trust it if I were you.

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” You can gain knowledge of many things, but wisdom to live a good life starts with trusting God. Seek to know God more each day and you will find that you are learning to have insights into how you should live.

Desires Satisfied

It is not often that our desires are fully satisfied. We may experience a temporary satisfaction with a great meal or good relationships. But when are our deepest and truest desires really satisfied? And can these true desires be satisfied forever?

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Following Jesus is the path of life. Only He can satisfy our true desires and give us real heart satisfying joy forever. He knows us intimately because He formed us and specifically created each of us. He loves us and has great plans for us. Therefore, He can satisfy our deepest desires, and He wants to do this marvelous thing for us.

Out of Our Comfort Zone

Have you noticed that circumstances that take us out of our comfort zone, usually lead us to learn something important and make us stronger? In these circumstances we are forced to try something new and do something different.

Psalm 119:76 says, “Let you steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.” In the Bible, God promises many times that He will comfort us in our afflictions, struggles, and trials. However, He never promises to make us comfortable in this life. That’s because when we are comfortable we tend to forget the need for faith. When God takes us out of our comfort zone, it will inevitably lead us to trusting God and receiving His comfort.