Pray Like Breathing

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9

D.L. MOODY
Think of that! It may shock some of us to think that our prayers are an abomination to God, yet if any are living in known sin, this is what God’s Word says about them. If we are not willing to turn from sin and obey God’s law, we have no right to expect He will answer our prayers. The prayer of the humble and the contrite heart is a delight to God. There is no sound that goes up from this sin-cursed Earth so sweet to His ear as the prayer of the man who is walking uprightly.

ERWIN LUTZER
Some look at prayer like an oxygen mask—it comes in handy when a crisis arises. For believers, prayer is oxygen itself. We pray when we have needs, but we need fellowship with God more than we need our prayers answered.
Prayer yields us to the will of God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”(Matthew 6:10). Prayer is submission to God’s will. Jesus in Gethsemane said, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). If your prayer does not lead to submission before God, you haven’t really prayed.
Come to God with an honest and cleansed heart. Tell Him why you love Him. Quote verses of Scripture that remind you of His promises and His love for you. Enjoy fellowship with God. You are His child and God loves it when you show up—especially if it’s just the two of you.

PRAYER
Father, forgive me for concentrating on all other things, and forgetting to seek you first.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How often do you come before God in prayer to just speak with Him and praise Him?

What stops you from spending time with God in prayer?