Christian Writers Circle

The Grace of Prayer
by Judy Hitson

1 Thess. 5:17 NKJV pray without ceasing,

This is one of my favorite Bible verses on prayer. It brings to mind Andrew Murray saying our verse today means prayer is like breathing. I asked the Lord about that and He illustrated my experiences of swimming laps in the pool, taking breaths as I swim. He reminded me that at first it is difficult but with practice it gets easier to breathe and get into a good rhythm while swimming freestyle. Through this experience the Lord taught me to pray without ceasing, like breathing. He is every breath I take.

Another illustration of God’s grace for me with prayer is when I wake in the night and have difficulty going back to sleep. I remember asking the Lord, “Do You want me to stay awake to read the Bible or is there someone or something You want me to pray about?”

There are times I’ve been up in the night watches when the Lord led me to either read the Scriptures or to pray. But this time, I heard, “Pray the Lord’s Prayer and I will give you sweet sleep.” (Proverbs 3:24) Since then, this has become a habit when I wake in the night.

The Lord’s Prayer (Matt.6:9-13) has taught me the importance of these words, they are living and active (Heb. 4:12) to call on our Father in heaven. First, acknowledging His holiness, asking His kingdom to come, His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, asking for our daily bread realizing Jesus is the Bread of Life. Asking His forgiveness for our debts as we forgive our debtors pierces my heart to always choose to walk in forgiveness, no matter what. Last, asking Father not to lead us into temptation but to deliver us from evil for His is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. This reminds me of the importance for us to practice Kingdom Living through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by His Spirit, honoring our Father in heaven and being grateful for His grace of prayer.     

There is so much we can learn on prayer in the Bible. One profound thing is learning to pray the Word. Many times I like to start with Ps. 139:23-24 for a time of confession and repentance as needed.

After meditating on different translations through the years, this is my personal paraphrase prayer of Ps.139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts. Show me if there is any hurtful, offensive or wicked way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.

Ps.66:18 reminds me of the importance of asking the Lord to search my heart.

Ps.66:18 AMP If I regard sin and baseness in my heart
[that is, if I know it is there and do nothing about it],
The Lord will not hear [me];

Powerful is the grace of prayer.