Prayer, Peace and Faith...

Spent time in the office today planning for 2013 and looking forward to a more concerted effort to commit our time to prayer. Reading through Philippians 4:6-7 and finding great confidence and joy in its certainty…, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” I recognized that my heart is often high on anxiety and low on peace. I've come to realize that Paul’s admonishment to pray isn't a legalistic command, but a sweet reminder from Jesus that prayer is God’s way of saying—come and commune with me; collapse on me and receive my peace. Leave your anxiety and fear; your unanswered questions and conflicts; your pain and despair; and I will cover and guard you IN JESUS!

Have you read Dietrich Bonhoeffer on prayer? A couple of great quotes... “The right way to pray is to stretch out our hands and ask of One who we know has the heart of a Father” and “It matters little what form of prayer we adopt or how many words we use. What matters is the faith which lays hold on God, knowing that He knows our needs before we even ask Him. That is what gives Christian prayer its boundless confidence and its joyous certainty.”

How have you found prayer to be effective in your life? May our hearts find our way to Christ.

Deep love,

Scott