Barefoot in His PresenceSample

The Secret To Praying With Joy Jesus said, “7) When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8) Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” ( Matthew 6:8,9, NKJV) The secret of prayer, Jesus said, is not in the abundance of words or repeating the same thing over and over! That is the way the heathen prays! The secret of prayer is to know that you have a Father and that He knows exactly what you need. He’s got your back and your bases covered. It’s like when I ask my daughter to do the shopping, but before she leaves the car, I put the cash in her hand to enable her to do the shopping. God is a Righteous Father. He pays for what He orders! I still remember, as a student, listening to Pastor Reinhard Bonnke when He said, “Faith will work without prayer, but prayer won’t work without faith.” Faith is to trust that God will give us everything we need! “If you’ve forgotten the language of gratitude, you’ll never be on speaking terms with joy!” Gratitude is to transition from repeating the same thing over and over to starting to pray with FAITH! Gratitude is prayer-faith in ACTION! “Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.” (Colossians 4:2, MES). Putting a “thank you” in your prayer language is loading it with faith-dynamite! Instead of praying, “God I pray that You will save my friend.” Rather pray, “Thank you, God, that You are working in my friend to bring salvation in his life.” Instead of praying, “God, please guide me today.” Rather pray, “God, thank you that You are my shepherd and that You lead me today on paths that honor You the most!” Stop asking and start thanking Him! “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6,7, NKJV). Thanksgiving will guard your heart and mind with the Peace of God. Thanksgiving will change the way you think. Thanksgiving will work peace in your mind. “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5: 18, NLT). Thankfulness is the Will of God! The key to mental health is to be thankful in all circumstances. Thanksgiving is the way to enter His Presence and to draw near to Him. “4) Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 5) For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (Palms 100:4-5, NLT).