Newness of Life in Prayer, Part 2.

  Since I will be heading to the doctor in a few weeks for a check-up, it makes me think about the symptoms he may look for.  High blood pressure can produce certain symptoms, and he will look to see if any have subsided enough to take me off one medication.  I will be hopeful, but I am also taking action, watchful of my eating habits and exercising.
  Walking in newness of life involves the power and privileges of prayer, communicating with Almighty God.  When we pray, we can be full of hope.  He hears, He cares, He longs to have us run to Him and meet with Him regularly. 
  In addition, we need to remember that talking about praying is one thing, but actually taking action is another.  Just like with my exercise plan, I can more easily talk about it than actually make the necessary effort of following through. 
  I love the verse, Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
  God clearly gives us the two action points of watchfulness and thankfulness, and also instructs us to never stop praying.
  There are some symptoms of prayerlessness that we see when we examine our lives:
*worry
*fear
*bitterness
*spiritual lethargy (slowness to think and act)
  If we see any of those popping up in regularity, we can make quick changes to our priorities and let the healthy habit of spending quality time with the LORD become of utmost importance.
  On the flipside, we can see symptoms of prayerfulness too.  This is what we want. They include:
*confident faith
*unshakeable joy
*extravagant love
*extensive enthusiasm for life and ministry
  A couple of ways to take further action is to make it your practice to pray:
1. Before dawn while others are still fast asleep.
2. Instead of sleep when faced with crucial decisions or heavyheartedness.

"Remember that God's prevailing power is released through prayer.  He is interested in you and your needs.  He is able to meet any need, and He has invited you to pray.  His Son, Jesus, the expert on prayer, has given instructions so that you know just how to pray.
  For the miracle of prayer to begin operating in our lives, we must finally do only one thing: we must pray.  Then... we begin to live moment by moment in God's presence." - Bill Hybels

We can find Jesus's instructions on how to pray sincerely, sacredly, sensibly and Scripturally in your Bible in Matthew 6:9-13:
"Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the
power and the glory forever.
Amen