Did You Think To Pray?
Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. Psalm 88:9
We pray when we are in trouble. It is easy to turn our thoughts to Heaven when we have a big problem or a predicament that we are in. For most people, the first time they fervently pray is when hey are in trouble. Affliction drove the psalmist to pray every single day. He actively sought the Lord lifting up “holy hands” to God, begging for His deliverance, guidance, and help.
What if we learned to pray before the big problem comes? How would an active prayer life before the trouble arises help us navigate the storms of life? It think it would make a big difference. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the “Prince of preachers” said “All the Christian virtues are locked up in the word prayer.”
The daily discipline of open communication with God, asking and receiving, better known as prayer, can change your life. There are several ways prayer affects not only the situation, but the one doing the praying.
Prayer calms the soul. Prayer creates a connection with God. Prayer confirms our relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus. Make it a daily practice to spend time with God in prayer.
I leave you with the words of Mary Kidder in her hymn “Did You Think to Pray?”
- Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor,
As a shield today?
Refrain:
Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day;
So when life seems dark and dreary,
Don’t forget to pray.
- When you met with great temptation,
Did you think to pray?
By His dying love and merit,
Did you claim the Holy Spirit
As your guide and stay? [Refrain] - When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother,
That you might forgive another
Who had crossed your way? [Refrain] - When sore trials came upon you,
Did you think to pray?
When your soul was bowed in sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day?
EDC Christian 