This month we will continue to explore the spiritual disciplines. Donald Whitney (2014) in his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress Publishing Group, 2014, identified spiritual disciplines as scriptural practices that lead to spiritual growth and godliness (Whitney, 6).

I am writing this blog during the season of Lent. The Lenten season is a perfect time to talk about the discipline of prayer. Let’s keep it simple. Prayer is our two-way communication with God. Communication is a vital ingredient in any relationship. Our relationship with God is a loving relationship. Jeremiah 31:3 states, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness, I have drawn you” (NKJV). God initiated the relationship. Ponder on that for a moment. God, the Creator of the universe, called us to have a relationship with Him. The invitation for God the Father is expressed in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me all who are weak and heaven laden….”

Through prayer, we grow in our understanding of the nature of our relationship with God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven.” God is the Creator of the universe, but God is also our Father. We pray to God the Father, in the name or authority of the Son, through the Holy Spirit. The fullness of the Godhead is at hand in prayer. The Apostle Paul stated, “And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father’” (NLT).

Prayer gives rise to our faith development. Hebrews 11:6 says, “[Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” As we go to God in prayer, we go in confidence knowing that God hears and answers prayer. God is listening to our prayers. We too must listen to what God is saying to us. We answered the call to salvation, but we must also listen to God daily. The primary way that God speaks is through His Word. That brings us right back to the first discipline we discussed which was the discipline of reading God’s Word.

There’s more that can be said about prayer. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, “[D]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What a great promise associated with praying to our Heavenly Father. The hymn writer Joseph Scriven expressed it beautifully when he wrote, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” Let’s make prayer an integral part of our spiritual discipline.”