2020 Daily Devotion - Day 208

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During these days of the Coronavirus, we can be filled with anxiety and worry. We find we can become frustrated more easily. There just seems to be this sense of unease. This is why prayer is so important. So, what does prayer do? 

Richard Foster, in his book “Celebration of Discipline” says, “To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God, the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ..."

Through prayer, we are actually telling ourselves we are not in charge. The act of prayer is a submission to God, and this is what Pastor Foster is talking about. By praying, we are opening ourselves up to transformation and renewal. It is also a reminder we are not going on this journey of life alone – the Almighty God is leading the way. This too changes us by giving us greater peace.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches on prayer. He contrasts the prayers of the religious leaders of His day with the kind of sincere prayer time which can change us. In His day, the religious leaders prayed publicly in such a manner as to draw attention to themselves in order to impress people and be praised. While it is appropriate to pray in public; in a restaurant before a meal, it is the motive which matters. If it is meant to be seen and acknowledged by others, it only feeds our pride and ego. So, here is Jesus’ formula:

Matthew 6:6 ESV
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

So, when Pastor Foster says prayer changes us, this is how it works. We spend sincere dedicated time with God in prayer and it changes us – which might be the reward of which Jesus speaks.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, help us to be more dedicated and disciplined in prayer. It is in the “school of prayer” where You can change and mature us into stronger Christ followers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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