Today, we again add united fasting with united praying. As we get closer to election day, I want to share with you the four attitudes of prayer that always get God’s attention. I will use the letters of the word, P.R.A.Y., as an acrostic, to help it be easier to remember! P is how we start in prayer; PRAISE. This is the way in which we enter into God’s presence. We come before Him with joy, gratitude, and praise! Jesus begins His instruction to us in how to pray in His prayer saying “Our Father, Holy is your name.” (Matthew 6:9) This is the acknowledging of “Who” we are praying to. “Our” God or Father is an emphasis of our being a part of His Spiritual family. He is OUR Father. We are part of a large family of people who were first born of the flesh, and then, secondly born of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit calls out from within our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father” assuring us that we are a part of this family. “Father” is the favorite name Jesus used in prayer. “Father” is a name most of us can enjoy. Unfortunately, however, I have met some people who could not relate to God as their father due to the absence or abuse that they received from their earthly father, or step father. God, as our Father, is a deeply relational name. He is unlike any earthly, negative experience we may have had. We praise His Divine title as the One who brought us into His family because He loves us. We were His choice before the existence of creation. He knows all about you and I. His love is immutable and eternal in His Sovereign favor or grace. When we think on just how great our Father is, we then begin to understand that nothing is too difficult for Him! We can then enjoy singing about our Father who moves the mountains, or overcomes the deepest most baffling of our problems! When we pray, it is crucial to keep in our focus the greatness and magnitude of our Father. Everything about Him is infinite! There is no “little quality” when it comes to Him! Name any character quality that He possesses and be assured that you can times its greatness by infinity!!! Today, as you come to God, through Jesus, empowered by His Spirit, be sure to pray for big things! Let your fresh view of God enhance your requests from Him! The bigger the better! Of course, we also know and are thankful that our smaller issues and burdens are as important to Him as well. We come before Him with all! “O Father, You are greater than all we face. Hear our requests for our needy nation. Save us, we pray, in Jesus Name. Amen”
