“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.
Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.”
1 Timothy 2:1-3 MSG
When do you pray? Is it when all else fails? Is it when it looks like only God can solve this?
Prayer isn’t supposed to be our last-ditch effort because nothing else is working. God invites us to converse with Him about everything. Big stuff. Medium-size stuff. Little stuff. The details of your life.
He desires for you to “Cast ALL your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) And before these “cares” become monumental, He wants you to pray. Pray FIRST. Run to Him first. Steep in His presence.
Bring your tired, weary soul and camp at His doorstep. He will gently pick you up and carry you inside where He restores you, refreshes you and whispers in your ear, “You are mine. I’ve got this. Thank you for acknowledging that I have My best planned for you. Keep sharing with Me while you hold my hand tightly. Let’s walk through this together. Oh, and let me lead.”
That’s why He wants you to pray FIRST! It puts everything into perspective. HIS perspective! Top-down perspective. God sees the end from the beginning. Not just a little snapshot like we see. So if Someone knows what’s around the bend, why not rest in His loving care?
That’s what prayer does. You’re relinquishing your measly grip on doing life and giving Him full sway. You’re telling Him that “I trust you, not only for my days but for everyone I know.”
And for those that govern…that they would rule well, so that we can live the way God designed us to “live, breathe and have our very being in Him.”
Pray first. Pray second. Pray third. Pray last. Pray always. Almighty God invites you to join Him in what He is doing.
