How to Be Blessed By God
Strength from Prayer – Part 1

Scripture: Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

          This week we are looking at the first step toward being blessed by God.  Joshua was told that he was to be “strong in the Lord” if he was going to enjoy the blessings.  A critical essential for being strong in the Lord is an effective prayer life!  Our scripture for today tells us that God rewards our efforts to pray…if done correctly.  If you want to be blessed by God today, learn how to pray according to the scriptures.  Matthew chapter six gives us some instructions to follow.

First, pray…actually set aside time to do it!  It won’t be rewarded if it is only a good intention.

Second, pray in secret.  Jesus instructs us to find a quiet and secret place to get alone with God.  Certainly public prayer is good and was practiced by the early church, but it is our personal, secret moments with God that Jesus is talking about in Matthew chapter six.  Jesus tells us that our Father in Heaven, who sees what is done in secret, will reward us when He sees us praying!  The very act and effort of praying will produce a blessing from God.

Third, pray in secret without babbling!  God is not interested in an abundance of words!  He is not impressed and does not reward our prayers based on our word quantity!  How can we be blessed by God?  Pray, in secret, a simple and authentic prayer from your heart!  These prayers will make us strong…in the Lord.  These prayers are rewarded!

“Father, I am so grateful to know you listen and reward the simple prayers of your children.  Remind me of that throughout this day!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”