Saturday, February 1, 2020

EACF 40 Days of Prayer - February 1, 2020

EACF 40 Days of Prayer 2020
Day 32: Pray for Encouragement that God Knows Our Needs

Matthew 6:7-13 The Lord's Prayer
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."

Have you ever had a friend that seems to read your mind before you can even say what you're thinking? It's kinda unnerving, but it's also kinda comforting. You are known, you are loved, and you are cared for. That's how God is with us.

Jesus said we do not have to heap up words to try to get God's attention. It doesn't mean that we don't have to pray; Jesus is just about to teach His disciples how to pray. But it does mean that we are not trying to earn God's attention or blessings by praying a certain way. The best way to pray is to pray acknowledging who God is - He is omnipotent, omniscient, and always aware of our needs even before we ask. God is just waiting for us to set aside our pride, to turn to Him and ask for help. And when we humble ourselves and then actually pray, we encounter the conviction of our sin, the redirection to His holiness, the grace lifting our burdens, and the warmth, the care, the I-knew-it-before-you-said-it goodness of God.

Do you know anyone who struggles to pray? Pray for them today, to know that it is easy to pray because God knows everything already. The hardest part is humbling ourselves. Pray for two people to receive the blessing of humility that brings them to pray. Write down their names, and encourage them to by sending them a note! This is day 32 of praying for people to experience God's goodness as He draws us closer to His heart.


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