It Is Essential!

Growing up, praying was generally boring for me. I remember deliberately trying to make myself tired during secondary school so that when it was time for evening fellowship, I would sleep to avoid praying. But Jesus being God, is constantly working on my heart so much so that praying has become part of my everyday experience.

Praying  is essential!

However, over the past few weeks, things got super busy and in my busyness, in all honesty, my praying reduced, and my excuse was that I didn’t have time.

During this period, I have been reminded of why the verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “pray without ceasing”.

 At this juncture, you might know this but I would like to reiterate that praying isn’t just asking God for your needs although it might be part of it. Praying for me essentially is,communicating  with a Father who has made me His child by His mercy.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

So why is praying important?

I noticed that the more my praying reduced, the more I entertained hateful thoughts. Now am I saying that not praying makes you hateful? Well, not exactly!

Personally, when I pray constantly, I am aware of God’s presence and because I don’t want to offend Him, when those thoughts come to my mind, it is easier to push them aside because of the awareness of His presence.

 I worried more!

The less I prayed, the more I worried and tried to solve my problems myself. It wasn’t Jesus take the wheel anymore, it was “Favour, how are we going to deal with this situation. I became oblivious to the fact that His word said,

“Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10

Basically, I started becoming the person I was before Jesus. Hateful, rebellious, full of resentment and anxiety.

I am not saying I am perfect as Jesus keeps working on my heart. However, talking to my Jesus constantly, definitely contributes to the miracle He is doing in me.

 In the words of Søren Kierkegaard “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

So, if you don’t have Him, besides the fact that you can count on Him, He definitely also makes you a better person.

He wants a relationship with you. It is essential to survive on this planet and beyond

You are loved! 🙂

Favour.