As God brings us into a new year, there’s so much to get right before God. Right at the top tier of our “got to get this right list” is our prayer time with God. Prayer is never – ever – wasted time. It’s an opportunity in time for us to live out the promise set forth by James: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). Right praying is not accidental or incidental – it’s intentional. We must be intentional, from the depths of our spirit, to pray right in God’s presence. This means bringing the right mind and motives into our prayer moments with God. Right thinking produces right doing. So when we think right in prayer, we will do right in prayer. Jesus put it this way: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6).
Let’s lean into these words. First, Jesus implies that we will be committed to a life of prayer. He says, “when you pray.” Right praying is an extension of our daily life. We come to believe that “to live is to pray.” Second, Jesus calls attention to the secret, private, isolated, shut off from others, requisite of right praying. Yes, public prayer, and group prayer, is essential praying. But we must spend time, much time, alone with the Lord our God in prayer. The word picture of shutting the door conveys the idea of shutting things out that we may be a hundred percent locked into the prayer moment. Unnecessary distractions will interfere with the spiritual focus essential to right praying. Last but not least, is the right attitude about God that is essential to getting our praying right. Jesus declares we must know for sure that God “will reward.” The Greek word for “reward” means: “to grant, to furnish, to supply, to give.” Get the idea. In prayer, and through prayer, we will receive from God exactly what is good, right, and necessary in 2024. This year, as with every year, there’s every good reason for us to get our praying right. This is why we’re taking a close look at prayer in our Wednesday pm Bible class. The topic is: God Centered Prayer That Produce Timely Outcomes: Principles For a 2024 Prayer Life. Why not join us! It’s an opportunity, even at this early start of the new year, to get our thinking right and praying right. Remember, Jesus promised, God “will reward.” See you in class!!! – Van Hardin