By Michael Quinton

 

PRAYER

 

Many people pray in the morning after they wake up.

Many pray in the evening before bedtime.

 

Certain denominations have formalized not only the schedule of prayers, but also what shall be spoken.

 

Morning prayers are meant for praise.

Evening prayers are for thanksgiving.

 

What does the Bible say about when and how to pray? God wants to hear from each one of us individually.

 

God wants our thanksgiving. 1 Chronicles 16:34

God wants our confession. 1 John 1:9

God wants our requests. Philippians 4:6

 

Prayer is so important it is mentioned over 250 times in the Bible.

Yes, there are references to morning prayers in the Bible: Psalm 5:3, Mark 1:35, 

Psalm 88:13 and many others.

 

So, for a better morning: TALK TO GOD FIRST

 

There are references to evening prayers in the Bible: Psalm 4:8, Acts 16:25, Luke 6:12

 

For a better evening: TALK TO GOD LAST

 

What about the rest of the day? 

 

We are admonished to pray without ceasing: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18

 

For a better LIFE: TALK WITH GOD ALWAYS

 

Per the National Science Foundation, the average person has about 12,000 thoughts per day.  Unfortunately, 85% of those are negative and 95% are repetitive.

 

What if we replaced those bad thoughts each day with prayers to God?  Allow His thoughts to become our thoughts.  

 

For a better morning, TALK TO GOD FIRST.

For a better evening, TALK TO GOD LAST.

 

For a better life, TALK TO GOD ALWAYS

 

Michael Quinton is Pastor of Mesquite Baptist Church, 742 W. Pioneer Blvd., Suite A.

Sunday worship is at 10:30. They can also be found on Facebook and their website: mesquitebaptistchurch.com

 

(All messages in the Church Directory are the opinion of the writer, who submits them as a columnist)