This week, upon my return to UEA I've found myself, in unusually spare hours reflecting on the message from the first Tuesday's Christian Union meeting, which as I mentioned to a couple of people then, was all very relevant to me. I knew I 'd be left reconsidering my entire attitude towards daily life when i found out the topic was prayer.
Kid's songs often say it best, don't they? One of my favourites includes these words: 'God he made me, he knows what I need better than anyone, God he loves me, he only wants good things for me'. I love singing it, because I know all this to be true.
Therefore, knowing this, it is important for me as a christian to respond to God's greatness. If I'm in a relationship with God (which I am, because of Jesus' life changing sacrifice, death and ressurection on my account!) then as with all relationships, communication is vital and it is so important for me to have prayer time, talking to God.
I am continually in awe of God's greatness, never ending grace and daily provision. He made everything ever, and yet he still cares what I get in my pharmaceutical maths coursetest. He knows the number of hairs on my head, and all the horrible bits about me, and yet he still loves me so much that he gave his only son to get rid of my sin so that I could be brought back into relationship with him. He made all the stars, and the seas and has given me friends, family and fellowship with other christians. His gifts keep on coming, and his uncircumstantial love means that I can have Joy in every situation, because however much my mood changes, he never does. Jesus Christ and his amazing love for me is the same yesterday, today and forever!
I could go on and on, quoting every verse of the bible and children's praise party song I've ever known, and yet I still couldn't say what I want to say here about just how awesome God is..
Surely then, the pattern of my daily life should be a response to God's awesomeness. As a christian I'm continually seeking to love God with all of my heart, soul, strength and mind, but if 24 hours of my life was to be captured on camera, would my primary identity as a christian be made clear through my actions and prayer patterns, and time management?
Jesus' life was described to fit a 'withdrawl work withdrawl work..' pattern. He knew the importance of spending time with his Father, who he recognised as the boss and source of all things. Thinking about this drew my attention to the patterns present in my daily life, and I've since decided to try and wiggle my priorities around, in order to make sure I honour God in the way that I use my time. Prayer needs to be right up there, topping the list alongside eating and sleeping. Despite being generally quite busy, I intend to keep trying to put God before everything, knowing that he will provide what I need in all other areas. I am desperate for a bit more discipline, knowing that I'm too busy not to pray.
The bible says these things, amongst many others, about prayer:
Give your worries to him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5 verse 7)
Do not worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you'll experience God's peace which goes beyone anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4.vs6&7)
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5 verses 16-18.)
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.(James 5 verse 16)
Since coming to uni I have picked up so many little phrases and words from various friends who all speak differently. It's very true that habits are learned from those we spend lots of time with. As a christian, I know I should be cultivating that same humble servant attitute Jesus had, putting others selflessly first always. And in the same way that occassionally I'll slip out the word 'glarss' instead of glass, due to being in so much southern company, the more time I spend with Jesus, the more christlike my attitude will become. Ditto, the more I read God's word the more I will understand and learn to be more like him. Although simple logic, It's a harder habit- but one I intend to learn.
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