Quick note: I've now moved to tumblr if you want to continue to read what I'm posting. Just click the link there and it should take you there...

Throughout this semester, I’ve really been learning a lot about prayer and its importance to the daily life of a Christian [i.e.- for me]. So often, I tend to overlook it and trend towards actively doing something more measurable or profitable [in the world’s eyes, that is]. However, why do I keep on trying to control my surroundings myself without asking the One who is in control of it all?

[Answer: because I'm dumb enough to practically think I have control]

As the teacher that I am, I started to investigate and found a LOT of really interesting points that the Bible has about communicating with God in prayer. Of course, this isn't an exhaustive list, but it's just a few things I've learned.

[Mark 9:29] Prayer is sometimes the ONLY way to accomplish certain tasks.

[Mark 9:31-32] Sometimes, Jesus tells us things fairly clearly but we still don’t understand. Why do we not just ask the Lord for clarification of these mysteries? [Daniel 2:28; 1 Corinth 4:1] True, God doesn’t always reveal everything to us, but He will clarify points He wants us to know…

[Matthew 6:5-8] Prayer is NOT: meaningless words, religious show, telling God anything He doesn’t already know. The Lord just wants me to humbly come to Him, and realize how little control I actually have.

[Mark 11:24] Prayer and belief are closely correlated

[Luke 18:9-14] Prayer is between God and man, individually. When I'm stepping into the throne room of heaven, there's little room to be comparing my "righteousness" on human terms.

[Philippians 4:6-7] Surrendering everything in prayer is one means to God’s perfect peace.

[Luke 11:5-10] Persistence in prayer is essential

[Luke 11:11-13] God is ready and willing to give us what we ask.

In light of this, I don’t know why I ever think that I can just do things on my own without presenting it all to the Father. God doesn't need our prayers to get things done, but He allows us to talk to Him on a relational level. Why would I ever take that for granted?!