In times of crisis, we instinctively reach beyond our own limited resources. Even those who don’t consider themselves religious turn to the one who can help. Human instincts exert themselves and we all cry out, OH! GOD!
How marvelous when we cry out to God. And how marvelous when God answers those prayers—when He reveals Himself through them. The sad thing is how, after answered prayer and a revelation of God’s goodness, we revert to our old attitudes. That’s when we need to approach life differently.
Daily prayer—not the quick emergency type but the conversational prayer of daily relationship—is the key. Daily prayer nurtures our relationship with God. Paul wrote, Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. . . . (Col. 4:2 RSV)
Steadfast indicates constancy or resolution. It means not vacillating or wavering. We have trouble being steadfast on our own, and that’s when we need to ask God for a different attitude. Because prayer is our means of communicating with a personal God—of tapping into His presence—and we don’t want to miss Him. Through prayer we learn the God who responds to OH! GOD! responds to daily prayers, too. He helps us continue steadfastly when we can’t do it on our own.
Originally published November 13, 1981.
Picture: Flowers in Puerto Rico, 2002. Photo by Patty.
How marvelous when we cry out to God. And how marvelous when God answers those prayers—when He reveals Himself through them. The sad thing is how, after answered prayer and a revelation of God’s goodness, we revert to our old attitudes. That’s when we need to approach life differently.
Daily prayer—not the quick emergency type but the conversational prayer of daily relationship—is the key. Daily prayer nurtures our relationship with God. Paul wrote, Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. . . . (Col. 4:2 RSV)
Steadfast indicates constancy or resolution. It means not vacillating or wavering. We have trouble being steadfast on our own, and that’s when we need to ask God for a different attitude. Because prayer is our means of communicating with a personal God—of tapping into His presence—and we don’t want to miss Him. Through prayer we learn the God who responds to OH! GOD! responds to daily prayers, too. He helps us continue steadfastly when we can’t do it on our own.
Originally published November 13, 1981.
Picture: Flowers in Puerto Rico, 2002. Photo by Patty.
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