Bridget A. Thomas
Every day is a gift!
Prayer ~ Part 8
It says in Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” And indeed when we read the Gospels, we see how spending time in prayer was important to Jesus. We see many instances where it says He withdrew from the crowd and went to a solitary place to pray. If this time alone with the Father was vital for Jesus, how much more important should it be for us?
There is something significant that I hope to convey here. Prayer is so much more than something we check off of our to do lists. Prayer is not something we HAVE to do. Prayer is something we GET to do. Prayer is an honor and a privilege. We are able to meet with our loving Father at any time and from anywhere.
As we pray, we are being shaped and formed to be more like Jesus. We are molded into the person God purposed us to be. We shed the gunk of this world as we are transformed from the inside out.
“Walking with God down the avenues of prayer we acquire something of His likeness, and unconsciously we become witnesses to others of His beauty and His grace.” – E. M. Bounds
Whether we are crying our in despair, whispering words of gratitude, calling out in praise, or begging for divine help – He is there. He is eager to hear from us. He listens to every word. And He is happy to help us and wrap us in His loving arms.
“So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.” – Hebrews 4:16 TPT
Spending time with God in prayer helps us to learn more about Him. We begin to understand how incredibly merciful and faithful He is. We are filled with awe at His goodness. His love fills a void deep within our hearts.
“The first privilege of having an intimate relationship with God through prayer is that you get to know God. Consider what a great and awesome honor that is—to know the One who not only created all that exists but also directs it from His mighty throne.” – Dr. Charles F. Stanley
We sit in God’s presence and have a conversation with Him. We are forming a strong bond and a meaningful relationship. God is incredibly fond of us and longs to hear from us. Through prayer we not only receive strength and help and guidance, but we also receive love and tender care. May we remember the priceless gift we have in prayer.
© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas
Bridget A. Thomas 
We don’t HAVE to pray, we GET to pray- oh yes! It is a privilege indeed. It fills a void – as only God can do so.
I liked the quotes and the verses you put together here. Reading this reminded me of what an honour it is to be able to call upon our Mighty God anytime and anywhere and know that He listens. And takes the time to graciously pour out His tender care and love in a way that only our Heavenly Father can.
Blessings to you dear friend 💙🤗🌺
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I think sometimes prayer is seen as a tedious task, and can cause us to feel guilty when we have not been praying much. As I have been praying more over the past couple of months, I have been seeing how precious our prayer time is. It’s not just a time to ask God for things and it’s not just something on our to-do lists. It is the sweetest time of the day, as we learn to rest in our Father’s arms. You said it so well – it fills a void that only God can fill. Prayer sustains us as we go through the ups and downs of life. And yes you are so right – He pours out His love and care on us, when we take the time to sit at His feet. That is it right there. In prayer we are showered with His love. Thank you, friend, for sharing your thoughts. You always say things so beautifully! Blessings to you too, dear friend! 🌻💕🌼
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I love this! I love how you said that when as we pray we she’d the gunk of this world. What an amazing feeling that is! ❤️ It’s like taking a shower after working in mud all day. You become all clean and new.
I also love that you said we don’t have to pray. It shouldn’t feel like a chore. Otherwise it’s going to become something you hate doing.
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I love the way you put that – “It’s like taking a shower after working in mud all day. You become all clean and new.” So true! When we spend time with God, He restores us! And I agree, spending time with God should never feel like a chore. When we learn to rest at His feet, we see how precious that time with Him is. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, my friend! ❤️
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I am not a prayer warrior as some I know. Usually it’s a fly by the seat of my pants kind of praying women. I use to stress out over comparing myself to others who would pray for hours or fast for days or, well you name it and we can destroy ourself by comparing. Since God calls me His daughter I think about the relationship I have had with our daughter. We never run our of things to talk about, but when have learned to just be quiet and if needed cry together without talking. I don’t feel the pressure anymore to compare because God so loves me that He sent His Son to die for me and that is why He does not reject me when I come flying in and sit down in my heart and say, here is the problem Father. As I have loosened my prayer life He has brought me in a deeper relationship with Him. I get so much wrong on this earth and I rely on grace from the three most perfect being, God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. They have my heart and soul most of the time and I am eager to learn in what ever state I am in, state of mind that is. I come boldly often, quickly often, even if I need to lament over a sin in my life I do it quickly and have learned and still learning to accept His already paid for sin of mine and…most important part for me, be thankful for it all. HIs and my relationship does not hinge on anything I have done, it’s His work that gives me grace, causes me to be thankful. He is so not into any of my works, even my prayer life. Life does not hinge on my prayer life but on Christ and His finished work on the cross. I like the kind of prayer that sits and watches a sunset and cannot open my mouth because to pray, only can cry at the beauty of His creation. I wrote my post on Hugs from the Father and I can come to Him anytime, when I feel like praying and even when I don’t, and He will give me a hug. I love to hear little kids pray, so open, so pure, so clean and creative. Some might say I am flippant about prayer but honestly I am in awe of prayer. I know when He has answered one of mine and it takes me to my knees at times. I have to get off by myself and absorb that fact the creator of the universe loves me, little old chubby not perfect me. Thats the kind of prayer you have written about and all I have said it to say, I agree, but I had to write more because my soul would not allow me to stop my fingers on the key board. You are a blessing to read, keep sharing your heart.
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You said this so beautifully and I am so thankful you shared it here. My hope was to help others see how beautiful prayer is, whether with words or just sitting at our Savior’s feet. Over these past months my life has been so stressful and the only thing that has gotten me through is the very presence of God. I admit that I am kind of a fly by the seat of my pants with prayer too. I pray all throughout the day about whatever is on my mind. But I know if I didn’t seek the Lord in prayer, my heart would be empty. He fills me and loves me every day. And ultimately helps me make it through each day. I am so thankful for our loving Father. And I am thankful for you, my friend. You always have a meaningful word that helps me to think and ultimately grow closer to God. Thank you again for sharing this. God bless you! ❤️
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It’s good to learn to know God as He wishes to be known: as Father.
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So True!
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Good to learn God as He wishes to be known: as Father.
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So true, what an amazing gift to learn more about the Lord. And I agree, He wants us to remember that He is our Heavenly Father. And what a loving Father we have. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
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♥️
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