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At the end of the month I’ll be leading the weekend services as we focus on prayer. For weeks now I’ve been thinking about prayer, writing about prayer…and praying. I can’t wait until that weekend when we will get to join together as a church and learn about this amazing privilege the King of Kings has given His children: to come before Him and share in deep, rich fellowship.
I think one of my all-time favorite thoughts on prayer comes from Richard Foster who wrote, “Prayer is a love relationship; an enduring, continuing, growing, love relationship with the great God of the universe. This overwhelming love invites a response. Real prayer does not come by gritting our teeth, but by falling in love. With simplicity of heart we allow ourselves to be gathered up into the arms of the Father and let Him sing his love song over us.”
Wow! “…but by falling in love”. That’s not just a beautiful statement about what prayer CAN be, but it’s what I’ve found it to be. A long time ago I fell in love with my Jesus. But that love goes on and on and deepens over the years and through the ups and downs of this life. One of the main ways I get to express my love and receive HIS love occurs as I pray. It’s also the way I get to pour out my heart to Him and experience His comfort, His touch, His strength, His renewing power. I can’t imagine life without this gift of prayer.
Think of it: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords tells us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) Such a privilege, such a joy, such an honor. And such a responsibility.
Prayerfully, Patty