Prayer Makes a Difference

Greetings in the Name of our Lord,

I pray you stayed safe during the winter freeze and ice last weekend. It will be good to be back in worship this Sunday as we turn our attention for three weeks to James’ letter in the New Testament.

We focus this week on James 2:17, Faith without works is dead. Change is hard. James points to the human tendency to take the easy way. This sermon looks at the call to the committed life of the developing disciple of Jesus. God is offering us power in this new life that grows out of our faith in Jesus as the savior. 

For me, putting my faith into action starts in prayer. I have spent my life seeking to grow in my prayer life. At times, my prayer life has been rich and full. At other times, the pressures of schedule and life have compromised my prayer disciplines, resulting in unforeseen struggles. For this reason, I do all that I can to keep prayer at the center of my spiritual life. Prayer makes a difference. 

Over the years, here are a few of the disciplines that I have found helpful in my spiritual journey. 

Pray the Lord’s Prayer daily. The early church would pray the Lord’s Prayer three times a day. It was a prayer for God’s holy presence, God’s will, future provision, protection, and a recognition that all of life belongs to God. 

Set a time to be still with God each day. Prayers from the Bible are the most helpful in finding God’s presence. The Lord’s Prayer, the prayers of Jesus in John 17, Isaiah 40, Philippians 4, Romans 8, Psalms 23, 46, and 121 are just a few places I go to be still. There are also some great short prayers that can be repeated like “Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy” or “Come Lord Jesus come, come quickly Lord.”  

Count the blessings of life at the beginning of each day. By beginning the day with gratitude, it shapes the rest of the day. Write these down, and review each week. As daily concerns arise, we can offer our prayers with confidence because of what God has already done. 

Make a list of issues, questions, and concerns for God. Keep a record of these for review. When reading scripture, talking with friends, worshipping, or reading devotional material, listen for answers. Some of my favorite resources are the The Upper Room published by the United Methodist Church, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and Charles Stanley’s daily online devotional, Daily Bread. I try to read at least one of them each day. 

Listen. Spend time at the beginning and end of each day in silence. Listen for God’s guidance. There are days when I hear nothing. There are other days when I get a clear urging that leads me to someone or an important decision. Listening in our prayers can open us to what God desires. 

Bernard Baruch said, "Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking." 

This is not only true in the workplace; it's true in our spiritual life. Many people think that prayer consists only of talking to God, but there is more. Prayer is most transformational when time is spent in silence, listening as well as talking to God. 

Remember… prayer is a spiritual process of growth and development. The more we practice, the stronger our connection to God. I hope these suggestions help in your daily walk with God. 

"My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation." (Psalm 62:1)

See you Sunday!

Pastor John Allen