We began to answer this question of why prayer is important in the previous blog post while discussing what prayer is, pointing out that it is the foundation of our relationship with the Lord.
Let’s take a minute to examine that point a bit more. The more we talk to others and listen to what they have to say, the better we get to know them. The same holds true for our converstions with God. The more we share with Him and the more we receive what He has to say, the better we know Him.
Knowing Him is one of the primary purposes God has for our lives. He sent Jesus to sacrifice His life that we might have a relationship with God the Father, through our belief in Jesus as the son of God and the work he did for us through His death, burial and resurrection. A consistent, ongoing prayer life is essential to knowing and understanding God better.
Prayer was an important part of Jesus’ earthly life. It was what empowered Him to live sinlessly and complete His assignment to die for our sins. Apart from His relationship with God the Father, He would not have been able to do so. He himself states in John 5:19 “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” NIV
God has a plan and a purpose for our lives that cannot be accomplished without us being in relationship with Him. Being in relationship with Him requires that we are in communication with Him through prayer. Just as Jesus set the example of prayer for us throughout the New Testament, Paul also tells us Philippians 4:9 “Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” HCSB
As we practice the discipline of prayer, “the God of peace will be with” us. In and of ourselves, we can accomplish nothing, but through our relationship, which is built on prayer and His word, we can experience wholeness, healing, forgiveness, hope and peace. And then we can fulfill the purposes He has for us.
Prayer Journaling offers the added benefit of having a written record of our prayers. When we are discouraged, we can look back and see how God has moved in our lives in the past and be encouraged that He will do so again. We can also see our spiritual growth through the nature of our prayers and development of our prayer life and relationship with the Lord.
New to prayer journaling? Get your free Essentials of Prayer Journaling guide and monthly newsletter here.
And when you are ready to try your hand at it you might want to give this printable Weekly Prayer Journal download a try.
Please leave a comment letting me know what other questions you may have about prayer or feel free to contact me if there is something I can pray with you about.
Many Blessings,
Cherry
