01/02/2019
When did you begin to pray? Can you remember, or was it so long ago that it has been lost in the mist of your memory? Did you begin praying at the moment you confessed God as your creator, Jesus as your savior, or even before you understood who they were and you cried out in the darkness of your night for help... not knowing exactly who would come, but knowing someone greater than yourself would respond? Prayer, it begins with a cry, and ends in a conversation of love and eternity.
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”Colossians 4:2 ESV
When we first cry out to God, and He answers, our thanksgiving begins. In the earliest moments of our travail we call out, and though it might be replete with waiting, God’s answer comes. Simply stated... In the beginning we begin by hearing “I Am”, then “Come to me”, followed by “pray to me”, and finally “have life in me.” So we realize Him, come to know Him, call upon Him, and in the end are given life by Him. For this we humble ourselves as we give thanks, and in this awakening we establish our conversation and relationship with the almighty creator of heaven and earth. Listen to these verses...
“God said to Moses, " I am who I am." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel: ' I am has sent me to you.'"”Exodus 3:14 ESV
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28 ESV
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”Jeremiah 29:12-13 ESV
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."”John 14:6-7 ESV
These scriptures tell the story of our pilgrimage of faith, and although they begin with God calling, they lead us into a conversation by prayer... a relationship intended to provide us with abundant life, and to last for all eternity. This is our love story with God Himself... our seeking Him with all our heart, and just as Adam walked in the Garden with God, we too will walk with Him and speak in words of prayer as He presents Himself to us.
So we pray, and fullness comes to our relationship through this divine and spiritual conversation... which is the vehicle for communicating love. God spoke this to Jeremiah, and He desires to tell each of us as well.
“the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”Jeremiah 31:3 ESV
When did you first pray? Can you remember? Perhaps it will be today, and you will begin after realizing Him to be, and hearing Him calling you. Will today be the first day in your love story with God, or is it the continuation of one that has many chapters already spoken?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing yourself to me, calling out to me, and entering into conversation with me. Thank you for not only hearing my prayers Lord, but for answering me, and initiating our relationship of love, replete with your grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. Thank you for placing in me a seed of faith that germinated in prayer, and grows taller each day by it. Hear my prayers of contrition as I seek forgiveness, and hear my song of thanksgiving for your mercy and grace. In these hours when we walk together I pour out my love for you, and feel my vessel, and my soul, filled with the love you have for me. Praised be your name Merciful Father for this, our conversation of life and love. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you the God who loved me when I was yet a sinner, and sent His only begotten Son to redeem me with His life, death, and resurrection. Great is my love for you, and greater is yours for me. All praise and glory be yours forever my God, my Lord and Creator.
Rich Forbes