Don’t Forget to Pray

On Sunday we blessed the backpacks of our students during worship.  This year, I assigned a child to each elder of the session who will pray for that child specifically throughout the school year.  We shared these pairings in worship and each elder raised their hand so the kids could see who would be praying for them.  I told them they could ask these elders if they had specific prayer concerns and that their elders would check in on them during the school year.  Before leaving to go home for the day one of our children found their elder and said in an authoritative voice, “Don’t forget to pray!”

That’s a message for all of us, isn’t it? Don’t forget to pray! When you’re having a bad day or things don’t go your way, don’t forget to pray.  When you’ve had a great success or you’re feeling really blessed, don’t forget to pray.

If God is everywhere, all the time, and knows all things—why does prayer matter?  God already knows our needs before we speak them…God counts every hair on our head so why should we bother God or waste precious time and energy on prayer?   Prayer isn’t just about telling God something God does not already know.  It also isn’t about treating him like a candy dispenser that will give you exactly what you want.  It is more that honest prayer creates a stronger relationship with God because you are giving God your attention, your trust, and your love.  Remember, prayer is not a one way conversation, it isn’t just about speaking to God, but about listening for a word from God. 

Global icon Taylor Swift said in an interview this week, “You should think of your energy like it’s a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it.”  God can.  God’s son has already paid the ultimate sacrifice so that you are able to come before God with an open heart. So be sure to spend your precious energy growing with God.  Don’t forget to pray!