How We Learn to Pray – Pt. 6

Prayer is not an option but a necessity for every child of GOD.

However, as new believers with limited or no experience with GOD and His WORD, we struggle with praying to someone we don’t yet feel close to and can’t see:

• How do we know GOD is really there when we can’t see Him?
• How can we be sure He is listening?
• Does GOD talk back to us and how can we know when He is speaking to us?

There are several ways by which we can “see” God:

GOD in His Handiwork

We have all experienced visually the beauty and magnificence of the universe in which we live – the wide-ranging varieties, hues and colors of plants and flowers, the deep blue sea, the gazillion stars in a moonlit sky, a breath-taking sunset, even the fury of a thunderstorm and the startling beautiful of the multi-colored rainbow that follows – we have all had our senses delighted by nature. All this is no accidental phenomena but the creation of someone larger and more powerful than any human entity. His name is GOD!

• The creation account - Genesis 1 & 2
• The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. Psalm 19: 1-2
• For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1: 20
• Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. Psalm 104: 24-25

If we have faith to believe in the miracle of CHRIST’s resurrection and the cleansing work of His blood for our atonement and deliverance, we surely must believe the miracle of creation. 

Scientists believe what they believe, but we who are children of GOD and believers in His SON must believe all that is written to us and for us by the Godhead - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 – and that for all time, and by His Power, the Creator provides a hospitable environment in which humans, beasts, fish, and fowl and everything else can survive and thrive! (Psalm 104)

GOD in our consciences

Authors and philosophers of all faiths agree that there is far more good than evil in the world. Christian Author C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity refers to a “Moral Law” – that which drives human beings to think and act morally, to care not only about having enough for ourselves but to actually care about people who don’t have enough. Mr. Lewis argued that "conscience reveals to us a moral law whose source cannot be found in the natural world, thus pointing to a supernatural Lawgiver." That Lawgiver is GOD whose goodness is an attribute ascribed to Him throughout the scriptures. If there is no GOD there is no “good.”

• Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 1 Timothy 4:4
• The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. Psalm 145:9
• For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:5
• Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. James 1:17
• “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands…” Exodus 34:6-7
• For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11
• “No one is good except GOD alone.” Mark 10:18

Through nature and our relationships with other human beings GOD is able to teach us about His existence. He is also able to teach us about Himself in His WORD. 

When we understand the true nature and character of GOD, prayer will make perfect sense!

For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. Joshua 2:11

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Father, again we honor and praise YOU, LORD of lords and KING of kings, Our GOD Holy and Righteous.  We thank YOU for YOUR blessings through the manifold works of YOUR hands. We acknowledge the earth is YOURS and all its goodness! Teach us to be thankful for your goodness to us – for forgiving our sins and healing our diseases, for filling our mouths with good things so that our youth is renewed daily. Thank YOU for being our strength and our joy! GOD, YOU are great and YOUR love is everlasting! To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, the NAME above all names. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile