Petitioning, Penitence, Praising, & Prayer

Prayer can be such a mystery, at least for me. I learned at an early age that prayer was important.  My mom would come in each night and listen to our prayers, both my brother's and mine,at first with them being very much rote, you know the one, that starts, "Now I lay me down to sleep....", but later went on to include, "God bless grandma & grandpa, mom & dad.." which taught us to prayer for others.   I've wondered sometimes how it's all pieced together.  Just as jewel has many facets that brings light and beauty to the stone, there are many facets of the light & beauty of prayer.  Examples of these many facets are written about throughout the Bible. 

Hannah who was distraught prayed for relief from the emotional pain of not being able to conceive a child petitioned God for a son 1 Samuel 1:9-11  and King Hezekiah prayed for health and an extension of life and God granted him his request.  Isaiah 38 1-36 

Ezra and the people of Israel demonstrated their penitence when they realized that they had gone against God's will when they had married into and adopted the culture and religious practice of the people around them.  Ezra 10:1.

David offers adoration and worship through is prayers of praise.   1 Chronicles 29:10-20 

Jesus petition God continually regarding every aspect of his ministry. We read how Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

During one of these times he asked God for guidance regarding choosing his disciples.  Luke 6:12-16

One of the ways to record our prayer jewels is a prayer journal.  I'd first heard of prayer journals during a lecture of at BSF.  Our discussion leader had recommended our journaling our prayers.  Journaling can weave a tapestry of God's working in our lives.   I've seen where a prayer for a friend deciding whether or not to take a new job can lead to his offering a job to someone else who needs one.   Other threads of the tapestry can be records of healing, safe travels, guidance, and other topics that are as wide and varied as our collective lives.  It's exciting to read through past entries and see how God has worked in our lives. 

Regardless of how we communicate with God, we know that our prayers to do not go unheard and we can have faith in him.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7