Start the new year off right -- with prayer
"… All joined together constantly in prayer".
-- Acts 1:14 (NIV)
It's that time again when we hold fast to our resolutions.
Sorry to say, some of them are broken before we make it through Jan. 1.
That's why we need to remember the power to help us resolve our resolutions is simple prayer. Prayer takes us from the natural ability to the supernatural ability of God working in us, through us and for us.
I'm believing for this new year to be our best one yet. I think if we will pray for one another, we will overcome the obstacles in our path and watch God do some great and mighty things that only he can accomplish.
Won't you join me, and start this new year off with prayer. I thought I'd list a few basics to get us off to a good start.
Prayer should be founded on our relationship with God. It is simple communication between us and him. We can speak to him like we talk with any other friend. We need to understand we don't have to be reluctant to approach God with our desires and needs. He wants to communicate with us
Spending time with God just to share a relationship with him helps build trust and shows God our reverence for him. Building a lasting relationship should always be our ultimate goal in our prayer time, not just having our needs met.
If we read the Scriptures in Luke 11:1 we see that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. We can ask the Lord for help and instruction too. Once I read a book about praying an hour. I tried and tried, but I just couldn't concentrate and pray that long. I decided to allow God to teach me how to pray.
We all have situations and circumstance unique to us. We also go through different seasons in our lives that cause our lifestyles to change. Depending upon life's demands, we may spend different amounts of time in prayer during different seasons. That's why the Lord can instruct each one of us how to pray.
This can also apply during times of distress when you just can't seem to pray.
I have prayed for many years. The Bible is full of examples and instruction on different types of prayer. What I have learned is to allow God to lead us in any type of special prayer time.
On a day-to-day basis when our relationship grows with him, we find we pray about things all day long.
There's no better way to start the year off right. I wish you a joy-filled one.
• Annettee Budzban's new book, "Spend a Moment with God," can be ordered through bookstores or online bookstores, or by calling the toll free number (877) 289-2665.