Prayer is essential for a close relationship with God ~

Your Best Friend: Prayer is essential for anyone wanting a close relationship with God, for it’s impossible to become close to anyone without direct communication. When you pray, you’re talking directly to the King of the Universe. There’s nothing too small or too big for you to tell God about. He cares about every aspect of your life and in the lives of others. In Ephesians 6:18, we’re told, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Pray when you’re thankful and just want to praise God for His goodness. Pray when you’re sad, afraid, sick, or distraught. Pray your way through every day and every crisis. The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Too many times when faced with a crisis beyond our control we think, I guess all I can do is pray. But prayer should be our “first resort”! We should keep our faith on autopilot and run to Jesus instantly! After all, He is the ONLY One who knows everything about you, including what is best for you, and He’s the only One who has the power to fix your problems. And here is some great news: God is trustworthy! Whatever you confide in Him stays in the vault! He will never betray your confidence, lead you astray, or abandon your middle. If your conversations with God have been irregular, sporadic, or unsatisfying, then change the way you pray. Talk to God as if He were your Best Friend . . . because He is. If you pray throughout your day and tell Him all the intimate details of your life, it won’t be long before you’ll not only “feel” close to Him, you will “know” He is your Best Friend! TEXT: Psalm 145:18-19, Jeremiah 29:12-13, Colossians 4:2, Luke 21:36