Prayer as a Means of Grace

A great place to begin: A devotion to actively engage with the Father and experience God’s love and grace while growing your faith.

A video explanation of what prayer as a means of grace can do for us: Means of Grace (click to watch)
 
Opening Prayer: 
 
Lord, thank you for the grace that you have given to me so freely. I pray that my heart is open to your word and to the message that you would like me to receive. Amen
 
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6: 5-15
 
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10          Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11          Give us this day our daily bread,
12          and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13          And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses[1]

Personal Experience: 
 
There have been a few times where I thought and felt that the Lord was so far away from me. He wasn’t listening and he wasn’t responding to my pleas for needing more of him. I wasn’t sure what to do. I thought I was trying everything. Reading books on how to get closer to him, talking to my mentor and getting guidance, or telling my husband that I felt like he was gone, and all things felt empty. There was something missing in my thinking and in my daily walk. Prayer. Prayer is a way that we talk to the Lord and thank him for all the things that he has done. All the grace that he has given to us that we didn’t deserve. We can’t even try to give it away or turn our back to it. We have already been granted that love and that grace. That same grace that I received before I accepted him into my life remains present as I philander through life thinking that he has gone from me. The knowledge that God’s love and God’s grace is comforting and fills up that empty void that I thought was nothing. I can get down on my knees and sit in his presence as I meditate on that grace and love every day.  Since that time of emptiness, I have learned that prayer is something that keeps me connected with the Father, but it is on me to keep that connection alive and vibrant as I walk this narrow path of life.

Reflection Questions to Ponder:
 
1. How does this passage demonstrate God’s grace being extended through this practice
2. How can you personally deepen your experience of this means of grace in your life?
3. What challenges do you face in consistently engaging with this practice?

Take time to meditate on the passage above or write out a prayer of thanksgiving for the grace that you have received from the Lord.

Listen to this music as you meditate: The Breaking Instrumental (click to listen)

Closing Prayer:
 
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing us with the means of grace, like your Word, sacraments, and prayer, through which we can experience your love and receive your grace in our lives. Help us to diligently use these gifts to grow closer to you and live according to your will. Amen.