Devoted

Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may make it known as I should.  Colossians 4:2-4 NET

Maybe people do not pray because we do not feel any sense of His presence. But often a sign that Holy Spirit is in us is when we realize, not that we are full, but that we are empty. 

We have a sense of absolute need. We come across people who try us, circumstances that are difficult, conditions that are confusing, and all these things awaken a real sense of need, which is a sign that Holy Spirit is among us. 

If we are ever free from this sense of need, it is not because Holy Spirit has satisfied us, but because we have sought to be satisfied with the world’s offerings over God. Prayer, seen as an ongoing conversation with God, keeps our eyes focused on His will, on the heart Jesus Christ, on the guidance of Holy Spirit.  

When Jesus taught, and He still does through His Bible, regarding prayer He never once referred to unanswered prayer; He said that God always answers prayer. If our prayers are in the name of Jesus, that is, in accordance with His nature, the answers will not be in accordance with our nature, but with His. 

We are apt to forget this, and to say without thinking that God does not always answer prayer. He does every time, and when we are in close communion with Him, we realize that we have not been misled. His love is unfailing and endless.