Something So Simple

Life is complicated, people can be complicated, trying to understand world politics, the socio/political climate, economics, the person in the room with you...etc etc etc

It is all complicated, at least to me...I am sure to many....

When we feel overwhelmed, pressed by all that is around us.....

📖 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

we can respond by doing something so simple...

pray.

Why do we (meaning me) react first with the need to do more, do something big, elaborate, complicated....when it should be simply to fall on our knees and pray, which is what is needed, required and should be first.  

Simple doesn't mean easy:

we must prepare our own hearts.

📖 Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

and make sure our attitudes and behavior towards others are Christ like. 

📖 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12:12-14

Forgiving as needed, as we are called to do.

📖 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.  Matthew 5:24

I believe this extends to prayer, as prayer is a form of offering to the Lord.

And this is if it is at all possible.  Our prayers might be that we have the opportunity  to reconcile with someone, that we are ABLE to go to them and seek forgiveness or to offer forgiveness.

📖 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17

Christ is to rule in our hearts...before we DO anything...which I believe is prayer as well. 

The Simple Thing doesn't mean convenient, because our lives are busy and every minute is jammed packed with non simple stuff. 

📖 pray continually, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

prayer can be done in any position, in any form of conversation, ...it has to be if we are to do it without ceasing. But we MUST make it a priority in the busyness.

We shouldn't be praying out of routine, or rote, but from a place of;

worship and  out pouring of love for our Savior, 

of petition for those things that grieve our spirit, 

of joy that overflows our soul.  

It should be something that becomes first nature and flows as conversations with our Redeemer. 

Prayer should be; 

the first thing we do when complicated things come up, 

the most important "thing" that we can do for others, 

the only thing we can do when there is nothing else left.

It may not be easy or convenient to begin, but it is simple.....as simple as saying.

" oh God......

📖 Therefore, you should pray like this: 

Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]  

Matthew 6:9-14 (HCSB)

And it is one of the most important things to do as a believer.

🙏

📖  For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:15-19

💗