A Prayerful Spirit and The 21st Century Family

Many people and faiths utilize prayer. The concept is as old as faith in God itself. If we are going to pray to God it would behoove us to start with a prayerful spirit. A prayerful spirit may be defined as ‘being quiet,

in a receptive frame of mind, meditative’ as it were. An attitude towards God of our being teachable so that our spirit may receive from His Spirit whatever “lesson” we may need to learn. This is not easy to do for the 21st century family. What with cell phones, the internet, television, radio, video games and seemingly everything under the sun competing for a persons’ attention; it can be hard to find a quiet and peaceful environment conducive to prayer and meditation.

Speaking from a Christian point of view, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit who also gives us various

gifts. His gifts are things like faith, wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, speaking and interpreting of tongues, discerning of spirits, among others (see 1st Corinthians 12). These help immensely

in the face of adversity. That’s not to say Christians don’t get angry or have problems that severely try our faith, just that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ of Nazareth will be there to go with us through these trials and tribulations!

To commune with God in prayer should be meaningful to us and much more than just ‘saying words’.

Our ‘conversation’ should be heartfelt and current with what’s really on ones’ mind. God already knows what our concerns are, but He wants us to fellowship and talk to Him in our spirit as well as our minds.

Communing in the Spirit, praying, thinking, meditating on His Word, the Bible, yields answers to our problems for sure! Sometimes the answer is ‘no’ or ‘wait a very long time’, something most people just don’t want to hear. Modern day society is so ‘eaten up’ with ’having it your way’, ‘having it now’,

that the idea of waiting is almost foreign to some, not to mention just entirely being told ‘no’. Our

‘rush around’ lifestyle as a society is actually considered sinful by the Lord. “ Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.” Proverbs 19:2.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22.

Why do most people seem to resort to serious prayer when all other means have been exhausted first?

The Lord would have us praying first, last and in between. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing diligently in prayer.” Romans 12:12. “Pray without ceasing.” 1st Thessalonians 5:17. We should be acknowledging God throughout our day, asking for His help in things small and large, just let Him in!

It doesn’t have to be out loud, or a big display. A quick prayer at work before a project starts, or knowing a

friend, neighbor, or co-worker who has a need and praying with them spontaneously, encouraging and being sincere. If we use our Christian gifts wisely we can change our world one prayer at a time. Just do it!
 by: Gene Hollowell -http://prayerfulspirit.com/