Making God A Prayer Partner

Prayer, my brothers and sisters must be our first resource. Let us not merely go to God's door because we have tried everybody else and failed. Let us not go to the fountain simply because the cisterns are exhausted, but let us go to our God first and foremost....."

Charles Spurgeon

Sometimes we forget to pray.

It might be starting to eat before grace is offered, not giving thanks for blessings received, or even just being so wrapped up in the moment that we forget...

So what happens when we remember? Do we "double down"? Or do we blow off the opportunity because we don't have the time to pause?

I spent most of yesterday in a hospital room with a family whose loved one was transitioning from this life to the next. A family of faith and I prayed together. We watched the miracle of modern medicine, blessed by God's grace and inspiration to calm the individual and allow peaceful sleep after a difficult morning. We prayed quietly, and we prayed together because our focus was obvious. God answered our prayers, sending the right people at the right time to care with compassion. Perhaps this is a drastic example, but I think not. We were able to pray calmly and with open hearts because prayers were being answered moment by moment.

At night, a friend asked me to "give a shout-out to the "Big Guy," acknowledging the need to pray for a specific request. As I did shout out, I knew we were praying together.

Spurgeon's message is so simple yet profound. Keep God in front of our minds, and praying is much easier. It can almost become a natural reaction to life itself and bring us the peace and joy we desire.

And if you find it difficult to pray, reach out; I'll pray with you.....

Praying for nurses...

Pastor Lou Strugala

NJSP Chaplain

In memory of John F. Cardillo

July 18, 1956 - December 30, 2022

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Uto1ICjsKf4