Friday, October 17, 2014

Prayer Alone

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. Matthew 14:23 

Jesus was such a good example to us. He taught us to pray (see Matthew 6:5-13) and then showed us that it is important to spend time alone with God. He went up on the mountain by Himself. He didn’t even drag along a few disciples. He went alone. To develop a close relationship with God, we need to spend time alone with Him on a regular basis. Devotions everyday will help you learn more about God—getting into His word. Then you need to consider spending a longer time…an hour, a half-day or even a full day where you concentrate just on God. Pray. Think about Him…His names and attributes. If we want God’s attention and mercy…it tells us in Malachi 3:16… Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. "They will be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." Malachi 3:16-17. Honor God with your attention and focused prayer. Pray scripture back to the Lord…and wait on Him for an answer to your prayers. You can use your time alone with God to pray intercessory prayers, as well as praise and thanksgiving prayers. A good resource for guidance on spending time alone with God—focusing on a day of prayer—is an article by the Navigators on how to spend extended time in prayer” http://www.navigators.org/About-Us/Stories/Navigator%20Stories/March%202006/How%20to%20Spend%20Extended%20Time%20in%20Prayer
Prayer—communicating with God—is so important in developing a relationship with Him. Jesus knew that and He spent time alone with God—our Heavenly Father. Do you? 

RSVP: Jesus is inviting us today to spend time alone in prayer with God. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Dear Jesus—I want to honor You, the Heavenly Father, and the precious Holy Spirit with my prayers and attention today. May all that I do and say bring glory to You. 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
If you are going to spend a day or even a half day in prayer…take along some food—first for your spirit, i.e. your Bible—and then for your body. But keep it simple. Make yourself a turkey, ham and cheese wrap—with some good mustard and cream cheese, some romaine lettuce and julienned apple slices or dried craisins. Wrap it up and take along a dill pickle, some chips and maybe a cookie, along with a couple of bottles of water. Feasting on God’s word will be more important than any food—so keep your focus on Jesus. Imagine His focus on the Heavenly Father when He prayed…and do likewise.
© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

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