A Heart Committed to Prayer - Part 1

The third chapter of our Bible study lays out for us some of the blessings of prayer. Let's take a look at them now and take note of how God wants to pour out His grace as we expand our reading time to also include prayer.

Blessing #1: A Deeper Relationship with God

Prayer increases faith as we make a prayer list of people and situations that we take to the Lord. This might involve a small notebook where we can write down what we have prayed for, and then note when the prayer is answered.

Prayer provides a place to humble ourselves and unload burdens. 1 Peter 5:6-7, "Therefore humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

Prayer teaches us that God is always near. Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Prayer trains us not to panic. Turning to God for every need during regular daily prayer will ingrain the habit of prayer, leaving us with fewer temptations to worry and fret.

Prayer changes lives, partucularly ours! The peace of God will reign in us as we learn to trust Him with our whole heart.

Blessing #2: Greater Purity

Becoming pure is a process of spiritual growth, and taking seriously the confession of sin during prayer time moves that process along, causing us to purge our life of practices that displease God. By confessing our sins to God, he will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Blessing #3: Confidence in Making Decisions

When we take the time to pray about every decision that comes our way, we are developing a routine of seeking God's will in all things. God has a plan for our time and by consulting Him before we say 'yes' or 'no,' we are acknowledging Him as the Lord (boss) of our life. Proverbs 3:6, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Instead of the dread or fear that results when we make a quick decision without God's involvement, we can experience a solid confidence - confidence in God - and the excitement of anticipating what He will do.

A woman after God's own heart is a woman who will do His will -- not her own.

Acts 13:22, "And when He had removed him [Saul], He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'"