Time Well Spent

By Daryl Crouch

When prayer is a new experience people at times feel uneasy to pray. It is important to take a look at prayer. Prayer effects our entire being but most of all our relationship with God.

Photo courtesy of MorgueFile By: xandert

What is Prayer?

To understand prayer take a look at our relationship with people. If there is no communication between individuals how can we expect a relationship to grow. It is the same way With God, He is eager to hear from us. God has a sense of expectation when it comes to His creatures.

If a relationship in a marriage is going to grow communication has to be entirely on a more personal dynamic. Communication is critical for growth in a relationship. In the same way we can only grow in our relationship with God through communicating with Him. It is called prayer.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 says when we come to Him and pray - He listens. Wow! Can you imagine when we pray, the God of the universe stops and listens to you. Prayer is critical for growth in a relationship with God. We began to open our hearts and mind to Him. Its the beginning of understanding about God Himself.

The Disciples went to Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1. In Luke 11:1-4 models prayer for us. You can break it up using the acronym P.A.R.T. Becky Tarabassi used this in here book and prayer journal.

P.A.R.T.

Praise

This is where we praise God for who He is. He is our Creator. When you start with praising God you whole attitude changes. Daniel 2:23

Admit

Next we admit our sins, the times where we fall short. It says in Romans 3:23 that all of us fall short- we have all sinned. Also we know that if we confess those times we fall short He will forgive us of our sins (1 John 1:9).

Requests

Here we ask God for the things we need, its also important to pray for others and uplift those in leadership.

Thanks

Here we thank God for the things He has done. Its a way to end the prayer with giving Him the glory and being thankful for what has done and what He is about to do. (Ephesians 5:20)

I have used this for years and it has enriched my relationship with God. Start today! Try journaling your prayers using this.

With busy schedules - How can I set aside time to spend with God?