In January, we talked about what it means to Read The Truth. God’s Word is a road map, an anchor and a light, and the more we commit to knowing God’s Word, the more at peace we are and certain in times of trouble.
This month, we dig into what it looks like to Pray The Truth and communicate with God on more personal levels.
As athletes, we’re used to powering through on our own strength. For a team workout, we put in as much energy as possible to gain muscle and agility. For managing a full day of classes, practice, or travel for games, we push ourselves to gain the upper hand on academics and athletics. We’re competitive and we like the challenge to take on a lot and land on top.
But in God’s Kingdom, we find our strength in surrender and accepting we can’t do everything on our own. That’s why we look to God as our strength as we turn to Him with our hurts, our hopes and take time for fellowship with Him.
Since God is the source for our wellbeing, it’s important to stay as in tune with Him as we can. Just as God’s Word is an anchor for our souls, so is prayer. It keeps us connected to the living God who orders our steps and provides for our needs.
What Is Prayer?
As we spend time close to God and allow Him to nourish our souls, we are filled to reach out and bring comfort to those around us.
We sometimes think of prayer as this huge, deep concept. It is holy, for sure, but God would rather have your heart than a long strand of fancy words. Prayer is all about communion with God and building our relationships. Jesus, the true Word, bridges the gap between us and God so we can come before Him with everything.
If you haven’t taken time to acknowledge Jesus as your Savior, spend a few moments in prayer with Him now and invite Him to rule and guide your life.
As you dig into life with Christ, consider the following truths that help shape our perception on prayer.
Prayer Connects
In every good relationship, communication is key. If we want to get to know someone better, we spend time with them. This is the same with our connection with God; to know Him deeper, we dive into His Word and get honest with Him in prayer. We take time to talk with God, quiet our hearts and listen for His voice.
Prayer also connects us with others. Whether we pray for a friend going through a hard time or with a weekly prayer group, when we come before the Lord on behalf of someone else, we participate in God’s family to care about our brothers and sisters.
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me.” (John 15:4)
Prayer Comforts
Life is hard. Heartbreak, hurt and disappointment abound. But the good news is that we have a God who sympathizes with us and knows the depths of our sorrows. When we come before God with an open heart and allow Him into those hurting places, we experience God in an intimate way that comforts and heals.
As we spend time close to God and allow Him to nourish our souls, we are filled to reach out and bring comfort to those around us. Because we have experienced God personally, we give this same opportunity to our friends and family to introduce them to the God who loves them.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Prayer Conforms
The more time we spend with God in prayer, the more we are shaped in the likeness of Christ. God wants to share more of Himself with us, and prayer is a main vessel through the Holy Spirit who connects us. One of God’s purposes is to make us like His Son, so as we come before God in prayer, we learn what it means to live by the Spirit and allow Christ’s transformation to take place in us.
When our hearts are conditioned like Christ, it shines through our spheres of influence. The more we grow closer to Christ, the more others will notice the difference and want to know why we are the way we are. God is glorified through His children coming alive for Him, and one of the best ways is through spending personal time with Him.
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” (Colossians 3:10)
Prayer plays an integral part in our lives as we walk in step with truth. The closer we come to God, the more we want to stay in His presence. That includes bringing prayer into our days, being mindful of God and inviting Him into our practice, our upcoming test or game and our relationships. As we remain in the Truth, He remains in us for an eternal impact that affects the here and now.
Unsure of where to start with prayer? One helpful method is the Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (ACTS) prayer pattern:
ADORE--Praise God for His character traits, and how He has shown Himself in your life.
CONFESS--Tell God what’s affecting your relationship with Him and any sin that is tying you down.
THANK--Praise God for what He has done in your life and share your gratefulness for His presence in your life.
SUPPLY--Ask God to provide or meet your needs and desires, believing that He will answer.
Prayer joins us together with God through the power of His Holy Spirit. It’s a time to speak, listen and give God the set-apart time He deserves.
Consider: Have you allowed the Truth of Christ to rule in your heart and mind?
Action: Believe Jesus is God’s Truth and invite Him to be your Savior.
This quarter, we’re exploring what it means to Pursue Truth. This month, our focus is on how to Pray the Truth. Join us as we journey through this exploration and prepare to Reach for Truth next month.
One way to get in God’s Word is to have it delivered straight to your inbox with FCA’s Daily Impact Play, a lineup of devotionals by coaches, athletes, staff and volunteers that share how to live out God’s word in our lives.
In Case You Missed It:
Go back and read last month’s article, Imperative: Read The Truth.
*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.
-FCA-
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