R e v e l a t i o n

DevotionTWENTY-SIX: No Pretending

How are u in your walk with God? One sure way to check is to examine your prayer life. You can go to church and do all kinds of 'religious' things, but none ever goes behind closed doors and get on their knees to pretend. Why? Because in your room, you only have the audience of One. Its just you and God and there's no fooling Him!

Matthew 6:5-6
5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Isnt is just marvellous that we're able to converse with the King of kings, creator of heaven and Earth, anytime, anywhere without having to make an appointment through some secretary or whatsoever? It gets pretty hard at times to even talk to our lecturers yeah?

Prayer is the truest test of our genuine heart for the Lord. Some may say: "I cant think of enough stuff to pray about. I get alone with God and pray about almost the same things over and over again, like "Bless Uncle John" and "Help me at work today". If u think u're getting bored talking to God, do you think God might feel bored hearing the same things over and over again? :)

To help us remember the things to pray for, we can probably jot them down in our notebook. This may help us to focus.

Others may say, "My problem is that I'll be praying and my mind will wander." Maybe praying aloud then could help u stay focused.

Or some others may also say "I begin to pray, and then I start to doubt." When u experience this, confess to Him your areas of doubt and ask Him to increase your faith. And He will!

Personally, I have fallen into these categories over and over again, like running out of things to say to Him and my mind wandering away just as I begin my prayer. But when I understand that God, who wants us to treat Him as a friend, wants us to tell Him how we feel about the things we experienced each day, and how He wants us to share our problems just as a close friend would want to be there to ease our burdens, so does He! I begin to understand better that prayer isnt like a formal conversation with someone distant, but in fact a conversation with a friend, who is ever so near and present around us.

Have you sensed a growing distance from the Lord or the need to bring some burden before Him that you've been carrying yourself around? Get alone with God. Pour out your heart to Him in faith. If God is talking to you about this, dont wait another moment - James Macdonald.