NO BUSY SIGNAL
Katie, Barrett, and I were in a wreck last week. I young man crossed the center and hit a tree. We were coming upon the wreck about 5-1o minutes later, and no emergency personnel were there yet. People were stopping on both sides of the road; it was just a chaotic situation. The three cars began to slow down in front of me I did also and then out of nowhere WHAM the car behind me slammed into the back of me. I said a few choice words during the loud crash. Katie and I both turned around to check on Barrett, and he was still snoring.
After I pulled over, I got out and called 911, and of course, there wasn’t a busy signal, but what should I have done first?
There is someone else that doesn’t ever have a busy signal; there is someone else I should have called upon. You are correct God. I should have gone straight into prayer. I was so caught up in the moment of is everyone ok, calling 911, surveying the situation.
It really hit me when a friend of mine stopped by Thursday, and I was telling her what had happened. I was explaining to her about who the young man was that had falling asleep and hit the tree. How it had bothered me that I couldn’t get down to the car when I realized that I knew the young man. Then she said just a few little words that made me start to think. She said, “I’m sure you said a prayer.”
It hit my heart like an arrow. In the midst of the chaos, no, I didn’t dial up God through prayer. I was too busy checking on everyone. Calling and telling relatives we were ok. Everyone else could have waited.
We all know on Facebook everyone asks for prayers, and what do so many do? We either put a prayer emoji, or we say praying for you. But are we really? Or are we saying one small little please God take care of so and so? Or do we say bold, specific prayers that are powerful?
FIRST LET’S LOOK AT PRAYER
What is prayer? Prayer is a conversation with Christ. You may want to call it a come to Jesus meeting. It is a dialogue between you and Him. Prayer can be with a group. Prayer can be done anywhere at any time. It can be general, or it can be specific.
CHRIST NEVER HAS A BUSY SIGNAL!
There are 222 prayers in the Bible. 132 times in the Bible, the word prayer is spoken.
1 Chronicles is about genealogy and ancestors. It also teaches how worship should be the center of life. 2 Chronicles remind people of their history and strives to bring them back to God.
1 Chronicles 16:11 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
11 Dependon the Lord for strength.
Alwaysgo to him for help.
I love the world ALWAYS in this scripture. Always go to God first.
2 Chronicles 7:14 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
14 and if my people who are called by my name become humble and pray, and look for me, and turn away from their evil ways, then I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
It is through the scripture that we can learn how to pray. The Bible gives us conversation material. So, if we need healing find in the bible scripture on healing. If we need forgiveness, find scripture on forgiveness.
Jesus prayed. All the time, He prayed. It says in the Bible that He would often withdraw and pray. He had conversations with His Father all the time.
While searching, I found an article 7 REASONS TO PRAYso here you go:
• Builds your relationship with Christ
• Helps us overcome temptation
• Helps us determine Gods will
• Prayer accomplishes Gods work
• A weapon of spiritual warfare
• A prerequisite to spiritual awakening
• Prayer is valuable to God
Another article discussed praying the Psalms. I have linked the article on the bottom. The Psalms is meant to be sung and or prayed. If you haven’t ever studied Psalms when you do, you will recognize many words that are in hymns and new Christian songs.
The Psalms is a book where David and several others have poured their hearts out to God. They confess their sins, they express their doubts and fears, they ask God for help, and they praise him.
Use Psalm 16 as a prayer
Psalm 16 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
A miktam of David.
16 Protect me, God, because I depend on you.
2 Some of you[a] have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord.
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3 But you have also said about the gods[b] of this land,
“They are my powerful gods.
They are the ones who make me happy.”
4 But those who worship other gods will have many troubles.
I will not share in the gifts of blood they offer to their idols.
I will not even say their names.
5 Lord, you give me all that I need.
You support me.
You give me my share.
6 My share[c] is wonderful.
My inheritance[d] is very beautiful.
7 I praise the Lord because he taught me well.
Even at night he put his instructions deep inside my mind.[e]
8 I always remember that YOU ARE with me.[f]
YOU ARE here, close by my side,
so nothing can defeat me.
9 So my heart and soul will be very happy.
Even my body will live in safety,
10 because you will not leave me in the place of death.
You will not let your faithful one rot in the grave.
11 You will teach me the right way to live.
Just being with you will bring complete happiness.
Being at your right side will make me happy forever.
CHALLENGES FOR THE WEEK:
• Keep your daily appointment
• Dig deep into the word
• PRAYER for real
• Fill your cup with Christ so you can fill other cups
EXTRA READS:
https://www.cru.org/us/en/blog/spiritual-growth/prayer/seven-reasons-to-pray.2.html
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