“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
Each week, in traditional worship, we affirm one of the key aspects of our faith and understanding of God. During worship we speak the wonderful words:
“We are not alone.”
To know and affirm that God is with us, that God is close to us provides us a deep comfort, joy and peace. We do not simply believe that God is nearby, but we believe that God is with us, actively at work in our lives. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we receive God’s guidance, strength and leadership for our lives. Knowing that God is near also lets us know that we can pray, and God will hear us. If we listen, God will also speak.
I want to encourage you to exercise the gift of prayer. Richard Foster writes, “Prayer ushers us into perpetual communion with the Father.” When we connect with the God who is with us, the God who is close to us, we find strength to live the life that God has called us to live. When we speak to God we find that our burdens, our worries and our fears shrink in God’s presence. When we listen to God we find that God is at work in our lives, transforming us into people who are marked by joy, peace and love.
I hope you will take time to pray today and every day. Prayer opens us to God. When we pray we are reminded that we are NOT alone, and that is a gift.
Prayer: Loving God, I am thankful today that you are with me. Your presence in my life is a gift of love and grace. You created the whole universe and yet you are mindful of me. Thank you! Gracious God, I know you have made me to do good things. Show me where you would have me serve and lead me so that I may share your love and joy with the people around me. Amen.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
