The Quality of Our Prayer Life

Day 17


This morning I’m thinking about the quality of my prayer life. Too often my prayers sound more like my grocery list than a heartfelt conversation before my Lord. I have so much comfort in knowing that I can take anything to God in prayer. Sometimes I pray about needs that I have. I pray about needs of others and prayer requests that have been given to me by others. Sometimes I pray about my fears or about people that I don’t especially like a lot or that have been mean or rude to me. Sometimes I have to pray about the times I have been mean or rude or have had ugly thoughts. And I believe all of this is OK. We read in James 5:16 that “the effectual prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” The Lord already knows our heart and our thoughts so it’s not like we’re disclosing some big secret when we pray about the bad things about our lives as well as the good or share with Him our greatest spiritual or physical needs.

But this morning I realized that my prayers do not always include all the many things that I have to be thankful for. As I began to give thanks, I realized that I could spend the entire day in prayer and never get to the end of this list. I prayed for sunshine that we’re finally getting, the rain that we just had, the health to get out of bed, a husband that is sweet enough to cook my breakfast, fresh water for a shower, soap and shampoo, a car to drive that has gas in it, my dogs that are always glad to see me, a business and the office building, my church and my church family, my family that lets me celebrate a birthday when it’s not really my birthday and…….. Well, you see, the list could just go on forever. We have an awesome God that is ready and willing to hear our prayers and cherishes the prayers of thanksgiving. I’m thankful for the Lord.