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"Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
(James 4:14)
I am excited to share with you this week about this all-important topic of prayer. It is truly amazing how God blesses us when we pray, especially in times when we do not feel like praying. There are mornings that are harder than others, but my practice for many decades now has been to drink some coffee, get into the Word of God, read a couple of chapters, and then pray. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I pray over many requests in my prayer journal and several missionaries of whom I have photos. I also keep a journal of my life and what is happening. I was challenged by two seminary professors; the first said, "Every great man of God kept a journal." The other professor challenged our class to spend one hour a day in prayer to God. At the time, I was praying for like five minutes a day. To spend an hour a day with God in prayer was the best decision I ever made to help me grow in my relationship with the Lord. Praise God for His sustaining grace and motivation to keep me in close communion and intimacy with Him. God speaks to my heart through prayer, gets my focus off me and on Him, off my problems and on His sufficiency.
The 27th life principle in Dr. Charles Stanley's "30 Life Principles" series of messages is entitled "Prayer—Our Time Saver." In his typical way, Stanley preached a powerful message on this all-important doctrine of prayer, spending time alone with God, talking to Him, and listening to what He says to us in His Word. I will share many truths that Stanley taught in this outstanding and practical message on prayer, as well as my own thoughts on the topic. He said he hears people say, "I just do not have time. Where has the day gone?" We all have problems with time management. James 4:14 (NLT) says, "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone." Time goes fast. Life and time are precious; time is what your life is about. God has given us a segment of time, but we do not know how long it will last.
I think of President Donald Trump's near-death experience during the assassination attempt on July 13 in Butler, PA. It was not his time. Trump admits that it was a miracle from the Lord that he was not killed. However, for Corey Comperatore, it was time. From what I have read about him, he was a good and godly man who was ready to meet God in eternity.
The best way we grow in our relationship with God and become equipped to serve Him faithfully is prayer... but prayer does not equip us for greater works; prayer is the greater work. There are so many things we can do after we pray, but there is nothing we can do of eternal significance until we have prayed. You and I will never regret the times we spend with God in prayer and Bible intake. It is our lifeline in a crazy and troubled world.
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