The Power of Prayer, Community and Confession
The Power of Prayer, Community and Confession
As believers, it's so important for us to make prayer, community, and confession a part of our daily lives. These practices have the power to transform us and to guide us on our journey with God. In this blog, I want to talk about the importance of returning to these disciplines and how they can help us grow closer to God.
First, let's talk about the importance of prayer.
Prayer is a way for us to connect with God and to seek His guidance and wisdom. In Philippians 4:6-7, it says,
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
When we pray, it helps to ease our anxiety and brings us a sense of peace.
But sometimes, we can get undisciplined in our prayer lives. We get busy with the demands of life and we let our prayer time slip away. That's why it's so important to make a conscious effort to return to the discipline of prayer. Set aside a specific time each day to pray and make it a priority. It could be first thing in the morning, before you go to bed, or any time that works for you. The important thing is to be consistent and to make it a part of your daily routine.
Another important discipline is community. We were not meant to journey through life alone. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, it says,
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
When we have a community of believers around us, it helps to lift us up and to encourage us when we're facing challenges. It also helps to hold us accountable and to help us grow in our faith.
But just like with prayer, it's easy to get undisciplined in our relationships with our community of believers. We may not make time for fellowship or we may neglect our relationships with others. That's why it's so important to make a conscious effort to return to the discipline of community. Make time for fellowship, either through small groups or one-on-one relationships. And don't be afraid to be vulnerable with others. When we open up and share our struggles and our victories, it helps to build deeper connections and to encourage one another in our faith.
Finally, let's talk about the importance of confession.
We all sin and we all fall short of God's perfect standard. But when we confess our sin and turn away from it, it helps to restore our relationship with God. In 1 John 1:9, it says,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Confession is a crucial part of our spiritual growth and it helps to keep us close to God.
But just like with prayer and community, it's easy to get undisciplined in our confession. We may try to hide our sin or we may try to justify it. But it's so important to return to the discipline of confession. When we confess our sin, it helps to keep us humble and it helps to keep us close to God. It's not about trying to earn God's forgiveness, it's about recognizing our need for it and seeking it out.
So as you embark on a new year, I encourage you to make prayer, community, and confession a priority. We've all grown undisciplined in these areas at some point, but it's never too late to return to them.
