Praying While On The Level

Prayer Changes Things Do not wait to pray, from The Depths Of A Fishs Belly Jonah 2:1-10 And this is what he said, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. (Jonah 2:1-2) God called Jonah to go, and instead of just going, or at least praying about it, Jonah ran away from God, going the opposite direction, and tried to hide on God. But really we cannot hide from God because God uis everywhere. Jonah found himself in a storm and then being thrown overboard into the sea. There God provided a fish to swallow him whole(alive) And it was from there, our portion of scripture is talking about Honah and his prayer to God. This is part of what he said, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.God is alwayds there waiting to hear us call out to Him for help. The Bible speaks of different places where people have called out to Him. Samson prayed while chained between two pillars in a pagan temple (Judges 16:28), Paul frequently prayed while in prison (Philippians 1) Jesus prayed from a cross (Luke 23:46) Imagine how different Jonahs story may have been if, he would have prayed before he made the decision to run. (Jonah 1:17; 2:1-9).Rather than praying after God had pursued him to the depths of the sea, and had his swallowed by a fish to get his attention. But, when Jonah cried out to God in prayer, God heard him, and delivered him and gave him a second chance to fulfill his mission (3:1-2). Just as God will do for us often as we come back into His arms after walking away. Friends, I know that running from God only makes our problems worse, believe me, I have tried it. But when I have come back to Him and walked in obedience to Him and prayed to Him both in the good times and the bad, He has directed my steps and He hads walked with me. Friend, call out to Him, He will hear you and He will do what’s best within His perfect plans. So what I am saying is, don't just pray from the hard places. But when you do, just know it does not take a memorized prayer, but rather it takes an honest and heartfelt true down to earth prayer. Yes, it’s about raw, pure honesty. It does not matter what the situation is whether it’s grief, exhaustion, or uncertainty, burn out, you only need to bring your authentic self to find comfort. When life hits you with a baseball bat and you instantly pray you find an anchor in the Lord, all you have to do is take a moment to breathe and reflect and ecknoledge Him. We have to embrace the sotuation we are facing, and at times acknoledging why we are facing it, confess it in raw honesty. Telling Him exactly how you feel. Our God is a personal God, He welcomes our confessions and our confusion, He will sooth our anger and our sadness. We do not have to clean up our words, they do not have to be just right for Him to understand. I know HE will hear ever stumbling word, and every ragged thought. All He wants is the simple truth, even when you cant find words to express how you feel. I know we find it easier to focus on prayer in tough seasons so we find deliverance and strength to get through, but we need to remember to remember Him also in the good times, He is involved there as well. I have found that when I pray through my highs and lows I feel my spirit being anchoured to His. My joy stays on an even keel and I remain rooted to the vine, and I find peace. Even while going through a rough time, I find refuge in God during that season as well. Praying to God isnt about perfection but rather about honesty. I find that as I bring myself and my honestly into His presence in bth the good and the bad times He becomes my completeness. So I encourage you to pray all the time, and then when bad timescome our prayer focus shifts from our rutine lifestill , to a routine our lifeline to God, asking for His strength, in the low spots in life I know, it does not always erase the struggle, but prayer comfort,and God reminds you that you aren't carrying the burden alone. I know the term in these last years have been, "just let it go" release control, I say, let go and let God. When I surrender my anxieties to Him He gives me rest. When I can't sleep at night I turn tpo God in prayer. I try to seek His wsdom, asking for guidance to navigate the storm and the strength to endure it with grace. Also wisdom to make the right choices when I am unsure. Believe me it takes intentionality and effort to pray when things are going good because when things are going good it is easy to get distracted by my blessings. We need to practice gratitude and a thankful heart when things are going well. I have learned to celebrate victories both big and small, through out my day. Trying to pause even if just for a moment to say, "thank you, LORD".. ause to recognize the warmth, the safety, and the effortless moments. Acknowledging the source of these gifts fosters a deeply rooted joy. Friends if you are looking to establish a steady rhythm of prayer through every season, it takes intentionality in just being desprate enough to do it. Read the scriptures and read those passages that have spoken to you in the passed about it, and ask God for new insight. Then make a point that if you feel God is asking to pray, then stop what you are doung and pray. This life still, is a life stile we don't just happen up on it, because we are being daily attacked by the enemy. It is his life stile to attack us and to make us fall. We need the full armour of God. (Ephesians 6) Father God, I need you, I need you every day and every hour. Please help me, pray as a life stile to allow you to strengthen my in my walk with you nand in my prayer life. When you call me help me not to run. Father I need you today. It is in your name I pray AMEN.