A Simple Prayer

Have you ever wanted to pour out your heart to God, only to find you were at a loss for words? There are times I want to just tell him...anything...everything, but all that will come out is "Thank You, Lord." I don't know if this is right, but it occurs to me that the word says to "Enter HIS gates with thanksgiving, and HIS courts with praise."

The gate in Old Testament times was considered the place of judgment. Those elevated to that position would be there to measure out the weightier matters. If this is the case and The Lord is our righteous judge, meaning HE alone doles out our righteousness as HE wills, than HIS judgment of our heart is what allows us to enter HIS gates.

The link I connected to is regarding Jewish prayer and how prayer is conducted. It mentions "kavanah" which in it's simplest form is acknowledging you are in The Lord's presence and of which "the minimal level of kavanah required is that 'one who prays must direct one's heart towards heaven.'" This may sound funny, but how often do we pray, or hear prayers that are just words and utterances without power or true direction. If I am not seeking the face of God and directing my heart to heaven than whatever I say, whatever I pray is all for not.

The word is clear that God, The Father, will judge us for the words we say. I may not consider myself to be a great prayer, but I know that when I do pray that I want HIM to judge it as truly directed toward HIM.

"Lord, Thank You. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me. Teaching me, Holy Spirit, and guiding me. Thank You for having faith in me. Without You, I would be lost. Thank You that my heart's desire is to be turned toward heaven and to hear Your voice and be in Your presence. To be used by You so that others can know You, and their hearts would be turned toward heaven."