My older sister, Aren, gifted my husband and me a book on prayer this Christmas titled, “Pocket Prayers” by Max Lucado and Andrea Lucado. If you know me at all, I don’t read as much as I probably should (LOL), so if the book is small and thin it gets my attention before big, thick ones do! And this book is small and thin. 

I began reading it not too long ago, I was once again reminded of how critical prayer is in our lives.  

The authors say this: 
“We want to pray, but why? We might as well admit it. Prayer is odd, peculiar. Speaking into space. Lifting words into the sky.” 

Can you relate to this sentiment? I can! Prayer can definitely feel like that for me sometimes. Even though I have had a faith relationship with God for most of my life, some days prayer seems so grounded in me and not in God. I bet some of you can relate. We know Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Kind of sounds like how we feel at times, right? The bible is full of places where Jesus guides His audience, and by extension us, on prayer. Here are just a few:

• Matthew 6:6-14
• Luke 11:1-13
• Ephesians 6:18

Jesus prayed constantly, continually in His time here on Earth. He was connected with God through prayer, and this should be our goal as well. 

In the morning when we wake, we begin a conversation with God. 
When we are experiencing anxiety on a plane, Lord be near. 
When a friend is walking through cancer, God bring healing and peace to her family. As our children come to know you Lord, we give you thanks.

The most beautiful thing about prayer is that the Bible tells us God always hears our prayers. He may not always answer them in the way we expect, but because He is perfect in all His ways, we can trust that He will provide for us in a way that is for His glory and our good. 

If you experience feelings similar to the ones I mentioned in the beginning, I encourage you to read over these verses above, study them, and pray through them.  It’s also helpful to have a book, like the one I’m reading, that serves as a resource for you in this important discipline in our lives as believers. 

Yes, prayer is important in our lives, but it is simply a conversation between you and the Lord.