Prayer – the Key to Intimacy with God
Are you daily enjoying a closeness with your heavenly Father? In this short meditation, I want to share several ways that I know you can enrich your spiritual life and strengthen your relationship with the Father.
1. If you have received Christ as your Savior and LORD, then remember you are a child of God. You are a member of His family. John 1:12.
· You have been accepted into God’s family through faith in Christ. Ephesians 1:6
· You have been adopted into God’s forever family. Romans 8:14-17.
Really dwell on this – you are a member of the greatest family in the world! Talk about prestige!
2. I encourage you to set a certain time each day to spend time with your Heavenly Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit.
Note: It doesn’t have to be hours but whatever amount of time you meet, remember you are meeting with the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
· I personally am in a spirit of prayer all day long.
3. I think it is important to choose a place to meet with God where there will be few if any distractions or interruptions. Jesus personally chose quiet places in the garden, up in the mountains, etc. Develop a closeness with your Heavenly Father, Savior and Holy Spirit. He is right there with you. Joshua 1:5; Matt. 28:18-20.
· Enjoy His presence.
4. As you begin to snuggle up to God,
a. Praise Him for Who He is. Psalm 117
b. Thank Him for all He has done for you. Psalm 118
c. Ask Him to show you any way that you have grieved or resisted Him. 1 John 1:8-10
d. Open your heart up to Him and share with Him what you are thinking, feeling and going through.
e. List family members that you are concerned about. He really cares.
f. Share with Him friends that are going through trying times.
g. Make a list of people you want to see get saved.
h. Pray for church staff and church leaders.
i. Pray for specific ministries and missionaries.
j. Be sure to pray for our Nation to turn back to God. 1 Chron. 7:14
5. I would encourage you to spend time reading the Bible every day.
(A friend of mine years ago developed a program of reading five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs every day. In one month, you would be through both books.)
6. Setting aside time for Bible Study is also important. 2 Tim. 2:15
7. Be sure you take God at His Word.
a. He is truth. John 14”6; 8:30-32
b. He cannot lie. Numbers 25:19
c. Trust His promises. 2 Cor. 1:20; Hebrews 10:23
8. Attend church regularly. Hebrews 10:23-25
a. The church is a family of believers.
b. You are a part of that family if you have accepted Christ.
c. Every Sunday should be like a wonderful family reunion.
d. How would you feel is you worked preparing a delicious meal for your family and the family didn’t show up to enjoy it?
(My goal every Sunday is to bring you into the awesome presence of God to worship Him).
9. I urge you to live confidently. 1 John 3: 16-24
10. Share your faith and your church with other people. Tell them about answers to prayer. Let them know what is happening at your church. Let me share with you a “God wink”. The other day one of Joyce’s caregivers (Joy), told me there was water squirting out from under the sink in her bathroom, so she turned off that valve. I did what anybody with my ability to fix things would do, sent for the repairman.
Tuesday evening (Oct. 22nd), we had company and I happened to mention that I had sent for the repairman. This gifted, godly man asked for a flashlight to take a look. Moments later he came back with a hose and let us know there was a hole in it. About a week earlier I was looking under the kitchen sink and discovered a new hose, just lying there. I mentioned it to our friend and he said, “Get it and let me see it.” He took it, hooked it up in the bathroom and we were back in business! DO YOU THINK GOD CARES? What has He done for you lately? Are you getting together with Him often enough that He knows who you are?
I hope you will take these practical steps to enrich your relationship with the LORD and to grow thereby.
For His glory,
Pastor Leonard
