Immersed: Out of the Shallows Into the DeepSample

The first, most important action is PRAYER.

James tells us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us. Prayer is our two-way line of communication with our Heavenly Father. And while prayer is simply talking to God, it also requires us to BE STILL and listen. We can’t expect to have an intimate relationship with someone if we never talk to them, but also if we never listen to them.

Prayer is NOT a means of getting what we want, when we want it, the way we want it, like our favorite, customized coffee order.

Prayer gives us access to seeking guidance and God's will for our lives, and when those hard times come and we find ourselves face down on the floor crying out to God, it gives us the strength to persevere. As we grow, our prayer life also becomes not just an essential lifeline for ourselves, but for those around us.

I mentioned yesterday that I lost my son, Morgan, to cancer. As many of us who have watched a loved one fight or even walked through an illness like that, you know it can be unbearable. For me, I know that all through his battle, so many were lifting us in prayer. We felt the power of those prayers and the peace of God that came with them.

Your prayers don’t have to be fancy or complicated, but they are so vital to our spiritual growth. When we make prayer a regular part of our lives, it helps us connect with God on a deeper level. We read in Mark 1:35, that Jesus Himself knew the importance of a consistent prayer life.

As women, I know our prayer time might look very different from His. We are busy with all the day-to-day stresses that life throws at us. But, simply starting our day and ending it in prayer and gratitude can build a firm foundation that gives us strength in Him.

God wants us to trust Him, to surrender to Him. To listen for His direction and clarity. Get alone with Him one-on-one. I recommend keeping a journal of your prayers. This allows you to look back and see the times God has answered those prayers or even changed the way you have prayed about or for something.

Often, prayer causes a change in us, more than our situation.