Why do you pray? Some people use prayer as their 911 backup. Some pray when “there is nothing left to do but pray.”
Some pray like they are visiting a wishing well. They use prayer as a way of telling God all the things they are wishing for.
Some approach God, acting as an efficient administrative officer. They have everything neatly laid out. They tell God what they need, what He needs to do, and when it is due (usually immediately).
When is the last time you prayed without asking God for something? As I pondered this question myself, I resolved to go one week without asking Him for anything.
Being a fairly needy person, I had trouble on day one. If you take away asking God for things, what is there left to pray about?
So I decided to pray about that very issue. But then I realized I would still be asking God for something. I would be asking Him for answers.
Everything that came to mind emphasized my dependence on God. Finally, I said, “You’ve got everything, God. How can I pray without asking You for what I need?”
He answered, “You could start with looking at what I have already given you.”
The Living Bible Translation of Psalm 23:1 says,
“The Lord is my Shepherd.
I have all that I need.”
Since that’s true, then we should have no need to beg God to give us things. We already have everything we need.
The New King James version translates Psalm 23:1 as
“The Lord is my Shepherd.
I shall not want.”
We often forget what we already have that fulfills all our needs. We “want” more.
Satan’s first attack comes by tempting us to believe God has not provided what we need. If satan succeeds, we feel deprived and are not sure we can trust God to provide. This puts us in a perfect position to be open to what satan will offer to fill what we think are empty spaces.
Satan used this technique consistently, beginning with Adam and Eve. He has tried it on all of us.
What do we have? God said,
“My Presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.”
Exodus 33:14
Jesus said,
“Be sure of this: I am with you always.”
Matthew 28:20
Jesus promised The Holy Spirit.
“And I will ask The Father, and He will give you another Advocate, Who will never leave you. He is The Holy Spirit, Who leads into All Truth …”
John 14:15-17
We have The Glorious Presence of The Three in One, Who live in us and are All we will ever need.
How do we come into His Presence? We are in His Presence all the time. But we become most aware of His Presence through The Power of Prayer.
Jesus invites us to open our hearts, not to beg for more, but to receive What is already within us.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door, I will come in …”
Revelation 3:20
He is not knocking from the outside of us. He is knocking from the inside of us. He is our heartbeat, ever Present and always reminding us He is there.
I invite you to come into His Presence. Begin by being truly thankful for all you have been given. Thank The Lord over and over again.
When you recall His Faithfulness, Love, Mercy and Grace to you, praise will naturally follow.
“Let us come into His Presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!”
Psalm 95:2
