LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

​Ps 119:32: “I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart.”

2 Cor 3:17: “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Ps 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.”

It is very difficult to pray. The apostles knew this and asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The Lord rebuked them when they failed to persevere in prayer, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? (Mark14:37). There is a frustrating mystery of prayer. It is to know exactly what to pray for. There is a natural lack of intuition, direction, and conviction in prayer which the Holy Spirit promises to provide, “The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26-27).

When we have trouble knowing what to pray for, the Spirit of God gives the thoughts, burdens, and petitions we need to bring to God.  Keep your daily devotions spirit-driven and you will find a thousand petitions flowing from your heart with ease and joy. Prayers that begin with faith in Christ usually end with the confidence of being heard and the grace to wait for the answer.

-Joseph M. Jacowitz (www.christbiblechurch.org)