Dear Friends,

Prayer is an amazing gift. It is a unique method that allows us to communicate outside the bounds of our humanity and our earthly trappings.  When we pray, we talk to the timeless God of the Universe who is enthroned in heaven.  We need no cell tower, no satellite, no cables, no numbers, no Bluetooth, and no Internet connection to be able to access, fully, God’s ear.  That is astounding!

Because prayer is the primary means of communication in my relationship with the Lord, it only makes sense that my prayer life would be indicative of the strength of that relationship.  As a man, I don’t have very many words per day.  My wife can talk circles around me while I just stand there, nodding.  For me, focusing on the “why” of prayer helps me to discipline myself to interact with my Heavenly Father through prayer.

One of the most compelling reasons that I desire a strong prayer life is that I know, beyond a doubt, that difficulties will come into my life.  Sometimes, I will see them coming.  Mostly, though, they will sneak up on me and challenge me in unexpected ways.  A pastor once gave a fantastic sermon about suffering that focused on “knowing the answers ahead of time” so that when we suffer, we are confident of who we believe that God is and who we are in relationship to Him.

Through prayer, the Holy Spirit strengthens our understanding of Him and teaches us to trust Him, obey Him, love Him, and rely on Him.  If we know and trust His heart in the mundane circumstances of life, we will be prepared to know and trust His heart toward us in times of difficulty and challenge.  A person’s prayer life is usually strengthened in suffering.  I believe God would have us to strengthen our prayer life now so that, when suffering comes, we have answered some of life’s bigger questions ahead of time, with Him, through prayer. 

My prayer for you is that God will reveal Himself to you through prayer as you rely on His Holy Spirit in areas of your life where you have need or challenges.

Blessings,

Ron