The Bible says that we should always pray, and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). One day I was visiting with a young woman who was telling me about all her problems. And she had a lot of them. Before leaving, I offered to say a prayer for her. “I don’t think so,” she said. “I haven’t had any luck with my prayers.”
Have you ever prayed, wondering if anyone was listening? Someone is. Psalm 6:9 says, “The Lord will receive my prayer” (NKJV). More than that, your prayers matter to God. “Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NASB). God does care. You can take everything to God in prayer. You can’t weary Him. You can tell God everything that perplexes your mind. All your hopes, joys, fears, and sorrows.
The ties between God and each individual are as real, as intimate as if that person were the only one in the world.
How to Pray
Prayer is talking to God just as you would talk with a friend. Everyone needs a friend. God is your closest friend. Our opening text tells us we “always ought to pray.” That word “ought” in the original Greek language of the Bible is the same as the word “owe.” In other words, we owe it to ourselves to pray to God, who is our best friend. Actually, we rob ourselves of great blessings when we neglect prayer.
Someone has called prayer “the key to heaven.” And God is just waiting to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings on us. We just need to ask in order to receive. Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Matthew 7:7 (NKJV).
Don’t worry whether you are saying the right words when you pray. The world’s shortest prayer was answered immediately. Peter was drowning in the Sea of Galilee, when he cried, “Lord, save me!” Only three words. And Jesus reached down and pulled him to safety.
This same Jesus is ready to reach out to you in every need. Why not call on Him today?
