Have you ever thought that you shouldn’t pray?

 

Today I was reading my Streams in the Desert devotional and I came across this statement:

 

 

“It is better not to pray until your entire being responds to,

and understands, the power of prayer.”   ~ P. C. M.

 

 

What? Not Pray?

 

What?  Not pray?

 

Aren’t we supposed to communicate with God?

 

And isn’t the vehicle of communication prayer?

 

Thinking on this a bit more, I came to the realization that communication goes two ways.  Have you ever stopped to chat with someone and had them talk without seeming to breathe, so that you couldn’t respond in any way.  And when you tried to physically move on, the chatterer kept talking and followed you?  Ugh.  That is so frustrating.  I wonder if that is the way it is with us and God.  Do we just chatter on and on?

 

Pray?  Talk with God?

 

Do we ever give God a chance to talk to us?  Maybe you  remember the true Bible story of God speaking to Samuel during the night.   Some of us would like to hear God talk like Samuel did.  While sitting around a table with a small group of kids, at some point one would say that she wished God would talk to her.   How often do we forget that he does.  Maybe we can not actually hear his audible voice.  But, we have this book, the Bible, which is his communication or love letter to us.  Sometimes, we quickly read our daily passages without even thinking that it is God speaking to us.

 

When my husband goes out-of-town he often phones me, I may or may not catch his calls.   When I miss the call, he leaves a voice mail. After listening to the voice mail I always save the message.  Then, if for some reason I don’t hear from him again, I can hear his voice.   No matter what he has said, listening to those words again is a treasure.

 

Maybe we should ask ourselves these questions:

 

Do I treat the Bible as God’s message to me?

Do I treasure the words he has written for me?

Do I want to follow what he says?  Honor him?

 

"Streams in the Desert" - Pray

 

Back to the quote:

 

“It is better not to pray until your entire being responds to, 

and understands, the power of prayer.”  ~ P. C. M.

 

If I spend time getting to know God through his word it will be more a part of me.  Then I will have understanding.  And then, I will know him better and the power available to me as his follower when I pray.

 

Do you think there is power in your prayers?

 

 

Joyfully!

Diane

 

NOTE:  These photographs were taken by me at Bushkill Falls, PA.

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Comments

  1. Susan says

    Great post! I am trying hard to learn to listen and not just go to God with my wish list, if you know what I mean. I have started trying to pray I Thessalonians 2:13 before I do my Bible reading each day…..

    “Father I ask that you help me receive the Word of God not as the word of man, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in me as one who believes.”

    • Diane says

      My husband started reading a book by Mark Batterson. I think it’s “The Circle Maker.” It’s about praying powerfully. Maybe you would find it helpful.

      Happy 4th of July!!!

  2. Yes wonderful thoughts. Please email me if you would allow me to repost at Under the Cover of Prayer.
    Love your pictures as well.
    Blessings,
    Jan

    • Diane says

      Such kind words, Jan!
      Finally I have something to do with all the pictures I take! LOL!

  3. Jean says

    I love this and of course, oh those pictures! I think I “see” God in those. The verse “Be still and know that I am God” came to mind as I read through your post this morning.

    • Diane says

      Thanks, Jean! The place where I took those photos was a huge blessing for us. Our spirits were restored in our time spent there. It was spectacular! And really….totally made us in awe of God!
      That’s such a great verse, Jean. Isn’t it good to realize that we can ‘quit’ and just let him be our all in all?
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!
      ~Diane

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