Daily Devotional
If a life of prayer was something easily attained then wouldn't every Christian have a thriving and fruitful life of prayer? But for so many, this isn't the case. In my own life, prayer is something that so easily turns into an "as-needed" practice of mine.
I'm busy.
I have a lot of important things to do.
Why waste time praying when I can go out and make an actual difference?
God already knows what I'm thinking, why should I tell him anyway? Isn't that just redundant?
God doesn't actually care what I'm going through.
These problems aren't really "prayer problems".
Anyone else that finds it difficult to maintain a strong life of prayer might agree that these are all too common for the struggling-to-pray Christian. I'm sure this only hits the tip of the iceberg. We can become angry with God and not want him involved in a situation or decision-process. Maybe we've prayed the same thing over and over again and are tired of not observing a noticeable response. Whatever the reason is for why you don't pray, this series is to remember (or discover!) the reasons we should pray.
Daily Challenge
Read the Psalm of prayer below. Read each verse individually, and pray them to God, but only if you are sincere. "I will exalt you, my God, the King;" is the first verse. Will you exalt God? Will you truly praise his name for ever? Ask yourself questions about each statement. What glorious splendor do the people speak of that David refers to here? What promises does God make that makes him trustworthy? As you read through this passage, allow God to change your heart, and ask him to increase your faith in the power of prayer.
Psalm 145
A psalm of praise. Of David.
1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.[b] 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 10 All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.[c] 14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
