Daily Devotional - by Gabby Botts 

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.

(Romans 12:12)

I believe we have been given the gift of prayer. It’s a blessing for us, when we actually choose to partake in it. I mean think about it--why would an omniscient God need us to pray to him if he already knows our every thought? What does God require of us? Micah 6:8 says we’re required to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. These aren’t easy by any means, especially for us creatures with an evil nature that we’re consistently trying to keep in check. I think prayer is a tool, a gift, given to humans that allow us to be more just, merciful, humble, and loving.

I see it almost akin to when the brain processes events in our life and prepares us for the future via simulations in our dreams during deep REM sleep. During prayer we are participating in communication. A time for talking and a time for listening, meditating, being open to hear and understand. Scientists agree that even if we can’t directly prove God or a higher being is hearing us, that prayer has biological and psychological benefits. Prayer increases one’s sense of self and your place in the world (humble), makes you able to be a more forgiving person (just/merciful), increases feelings of unity and cohesion in groups who pray together, and even offsets effects of stress on the body. Like I said--what a gift we’ve been given.   

We are social creatures, created for communication. We can tap into so much hope, joy, peace, and more when we communion with the supernatural. Why don’t we do it more often? Maybe we don’t see the point (just like with sleep...our nation, and the world, is becoming more and more sleep deprived, to our detriment). Maybe it brings up too many thoughts to be alone with ourselves and not plugged in, not watching a screen, not listening to any music, not being with another human being. It can be a little scary for some of us. I know personally I can get too lost in my own thoughts and my mind can become a trap of sorts. I can’t get out unless I slow down, pray, and really try to let go of the thoughts that bind me. In attempting to become more humble I am able to increasingly let go more easily. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing. Hopefully we’ll move closer to this goal this week :)

See you soon!

Gabby