Thought for Tuesday, August 7th

August 7, 2012

The Road To A Relationship With God

Is Paved With Prayer

Part Two

“The Purpose of Prayer”

“The whole meaning of prayer is that we may know God.”

-          Oswald Chambers

It could be said that there are many reasons that we need to pray.

We may need something: we may need to give thanks for something: a friend may have a need; a situation may need God’s help and intervention: and while all of these things, as well as, many others may be things we do when we pray: the real and most significant purpose for our prayer life is so that we can get to know God better.  To know His heart better: to know His will for our lives and to know what He wants us to do to please Him in our daily lives.

“Prayer honors God, acknowledges His being, exalts His power, adores His providence, secures His aid.”

-       E. M. Bounds

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:9-13

“The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him.”

-       William McGill

Prayers purpose is not to reveal our hearts to God; for He already knows the depths of our heart: even though He does enjoy having us talk to Him about our thoughts and feelings.  The real reason prayer is so vital and essential to our daily walk is because it does in fact, if done consistently and when done with the right heart and attitude reveal God to us.

“The purpose of prayer is to reveal the presence of God equally present all the time in every condition.”

– Oswald Chambers

Is you prayer life such that you are achieving the fullest potential of it’s intended purpose?

Today’s Prayer 

Father, recently I have been challenged to pray audaciously: to pray your will and to pray for things to be your way: I know this is the right way: so help me to allow the real purpose of prayer to be realized in my life and may you be revealed more to me and in me.

“Give me your eyes

For just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I’ve been missing

Give me your love for humanity.

Give me your arms for the brokenhearted

Ones that are far beyond my reach

Give me your heart for the ones forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see“

-  Lyrics from ‘Give Me Your Eyes’ by Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram