Prayer Watch 

by Minister Shallie Pittman Granger

In the 1980s, a memorable advertising campaign from American Express told its customers, “Membership has its privileges.” In a far greater way, the same can be said of prayer. There are blessings and benefits to having a real, two-way conversation with the Lord.

And while some would be awestruck or even pay top dollar for the chance to meet a celebrity or attend a high-profile event to spend a few moments with someone they deem important (and who might not remember them afterward), through prayer, we are given something far greater. At any time, day or night, we have access to the incomparable, unduplicatable, only wise God who knows our names, our stories, and every detail of our lives. And in prayer, He not only listens, but reveals Himself to us, freely and without cost.

Prayer is a means by which our relationship with God deepens. It is through consistent time with Him that we are changed to be more like Him. During our time spent with Him, we come to understand that prayer isn’t a wish list; that it’s not rubbing a golden lamp or simply receiving all we’ve asked for. Instead, it is a place where our hearts are shaped to reflect His heart, where our ears are opened to recognize His voice, and where our desires are transformed to align with His. Through prayer, we begin to love what He loves, go where He leads, and do what He calls us to do. In that place, we can pray with confidence, trusting that His will is being done on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, we thank You for the gift of prayer. We thank you for creating a space where we can be heard, corrected, loved, and made new. We thank you that we don’t have to come with eloquent words, subject-verb agreement, or carefully rehearsed speeches, but only with a sincere heart. May we continue to be watered by the well that never runs dry. Help us never to get tired of seeking your will and listening to your direction. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN!