The Importance Of Prayer Doesn't Make You A Square
The world is experiencing a pandemic and we’re living in trying times. Some folks may feel like they’re on the verge of losing their minds due to uncertainty, fear, and panic. Millennials and others may feel invincible or carefree depending on their social circle. Some folks are taking preventive and precautionary measures and stocking up on resources to help them cope. Then, there are folks who decide to invoke the power of prayer. It seems that the world needs faith, works, and prayer now more than ever.
Some people pray multiple times throughout the day. A larger percentage of this is done without even knowing it. Do you agree? To an extent, you should. Prayer doesn't necessarily require kneeling, lifting hands, or keeping the eyes closed. People unconsciously pray but don't realize it. These prayers could be in the form of requests:
God, please let me pass this test.
God, please help me find a job.
God, help me to keep these bills up.
God, please help us survive this reported coronavirus pandemic.
Prayers Can Also Come In The Form Of Thanks And Praises:
Thank God for me and my kids having a roof over our head, food on our table, clothes on our back, and shoes on our feet!
Thank God I got the job!
Thank God the bill collector gave me an extension to pay my bill!
God, I thank you for my life, health, and strength!
Thank God for blessing us!
Out of the many people that pray consciously or unconsciously to God or their higher power, there's a notable percentage holding the notion that to pray in faith or reference to the Bible makes you look uncool or boring. Some people may feel like they have a tough reputation to uphold or have family, friends, or loved ones who do not believe in prayer and will be negatively judged.
I feel that it is far-fetched to believe that one can’t exercise their belief in prayer and still maintain their cool aura or popular reputation. Keep reading to find out why. Obviously, if you do not believe in God, the Holy Bible, or prayer, then you may not wholly agree with this article.
Below is the importance of prayer and the benefits of prayer, which voids the notion that prayer makes you a square or (too) religious or spiritual:
A Prayer Is A Form of Connection To God - We connect with God on various spiritual levels when we pray. This can apply whether we attend church or not or are religious or spiritual or not. We trust that there is someone or something Divinely greater than ourselves who we can spiritually connect with. A connection with God through prayer is like when two people communicate with each other. They exchange ideas and views that can make them closer. So, for every single time you pray, there's a connection with God. The best part is this connection is not stagnant. It grows deeper the more you pray and connect with God and can create a bond.
Prayer Allows God to Step In - You bring God into the picture every time you pray. The logic behind this is just like most relationships with people. If you don't let people know you need their assistance, they can't magically come to your aid. This applies to your relationship with God. Prayer lets God take action on your behalf.
For many people, it does not matter if they do not hear God’s physical voice as a response to prayer because they believe or have faith that God is able to deliver results in due time or on His time. They may believe that if they do not get what they pray for, then it may be because what they prayed for may be God’s way of protecting them from what they don’t need at the time and if they never receive it, then they become at peace with that because they choose to fully trust and not question God.
Prayer Changes The Atmosphere Around Your Situation - Prayer empowers people to take charge of situations. It becomes the best option when people find themselves in complex situations that they cannot control. Prayer can help one to find solace, although it doesn't magically solve problems. Finding solace is just as important as solving a problem. You can easily get worked up in stressful and difficult situations, which can only make matters worse without prayer and solace. People who get peace through prayer can mentally place themselves in a better position to seek solutions in chaotic situations
Prayer Helps You Zone Out And Feel Refreshed - Prayer helps to take the pressure away whenever you feel like the world is becoming too toxic and tense. How does this work? Prayer itself is an acknowledgment of a higher power greater than one's self. So when you pray, you exercise faith in that higher power. The presence of faith in the higher power is what puts you in a calm and renewed state and pushes all the tension and toxicity aside to open yourself up to Divine intervention.
Prayer Helps Take Away Anxiety And Negative Thoughts - The tendency to think negatively when in trouble could be very high. You start having anxiety, which makes things even more complicated. But the moment you pray about your situation, positive thoughts and possible solutions start presenting themselves and negative thoughts are replaced with positivity and solutions. Here's something you should try. The next time you find yourself worrying unnecessarily, pray about the condition you're in and watch yourself feel relieved.
Prayer Can Unlock Access To Good Health - The Bible states that good health is one of God's gifts that's already available. Prayer and works are some things required from you to access this gift of good health. There are various scenarios where people suddenly experience divine healing. This is one benefit of prayer that should not be treated with levity because it makes you see that prayer is not just a combination of words. It’s divine freedom to pray about health and other issues.
3 John 1:2 (KJV): Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Exodus 23:25 (KJV): And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
Proverbs 3:7-8 (KJV): Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Conclusion
The established points above should give you an in-depth understanding of the significance and benefits of prayer. To utilize the benefits of prayers, all you need to do is believe within yourself that prayer can turn situations around.
The moment you acknowledge that fact, you've kick-started your connection with the higher power that oversees everything including any belief that believing in prayer makes you a square. It would be beneficial to note that your life situation doesn't affect your relationship with the higher power. You can easily begin the process immediately. It starts within you.