Beginning our journey into Lent

"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thes. 5:16-18

How do you pray?:

There's so much to do when you get into your faith, isn't there? Step one is to pray. Step two is to pray more. Step three involves taking a look at what we are praying for and changing it, if necessary. Let's say, for argument sake, that if you're reading this, that you pray every day (that's great if you do, and if you don't yet, keep workin' at it) - so here are is the question: When you pray, for what do you pray?

For more money, less stress or a better life? For healing in broken relationships or within families? For freedom from an addiction? For the forgiveness of your sins, especially recurring sins? For protection from evil, good health or a new beginning in your life? For a boyfriend or girlfriend, a husband or wife, for children or for an end to loneliness? For God to make clear your vocation and to just "tell you what He wants"? For God to explain to you why certain things have happened to you?And when you do pray for yourself, it is to grow in human esteem or in holiness? Do your prayers center around "things" or around personal growth and change?Ask yourself. Do you pray for wisdom? "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him."

James 1:5: Do you pray for courage?"Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!" -

Ps. 27:14 Do you pray for humility?".clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." -

1 Pet 5:5 Do you pray for faith?"The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" -

Luke 17:5 Do you pray for mercy?".and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." -

Luke 17:13 Do you pray for hunger?"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." -

Matt. 5:6 Do you pray for clarity?"Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." -

Luke 10:23-24 Do you pray that you would feel, more powerfully, the Father's love?"So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." - 1 Jn 4:16 .

For each of these prayers form us more into the image and likeness of God and each of these pleas to our Heavenly Father will help us approach those other daily, worldly prayers with greater trust and surrender. As we enter into Lent, let's really take a look not only at praying "more" but also at praying more like Jesus teaches us to pray, following more closely the direction and advice that He gives us through His Word.

"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thes. 5:16-18.

Prayer is the greatest weapon we have and the greatest gift we receive.