A PASSION FOR PRAYER | Northstar Church

Summary: Cultivating a deeper relationship with God through regular prayer and reflection is critical to following Jesus. Prayer is a conversation, a way to connect with God’s presence, and a means of experiencing His power and guidance.

Passion, that strong and driving enthusiasm for a particular activity or interest, is a powerful force in life, helping us to find purpose, motivation, and overall well-being. It can be the spark that ignites a career, fuels a hobby, or even motivates a lifestyle change. Passion provides the energy, focus, and drive necessary to overcome challenges, persist through difficult times, and stay focused on your goals.

As Christians, we should have a passion for prayer. Having a passion for prayer means experiencing a strong desire and enthusiasm for engaging in the practice of prayer and viewing it as a significant and fulfilling act of communication with God.

For some, passion and prayer come together in the form of “bold” requests: requesting divine intervention and believing that God can and will intervene in the regular course of the world that would not (or could not) have occurred otherwise. In other words, a miracle. We look out over our cities, over the continents of this world, and we ask God to do something only He can do. Or we ask God to quadruple the size of the church this year. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a need, looking ahead, and praying big. God sized prayers are a good thing. But among the God-sized prayers, there should be an internal focus on our relationship with God and our desire to improve our relationship with Him continually.

Found within the Psalms is a rich collection of heartfelt expressions to God, ranging from praise and joy to lament and plea for help. They offer a diverse vocabulary for prayer, helping individuals connect with God in various circumstances. Psalm 63:1-8 says, “God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”

This passage expresses David’s intense longing for God, comparing his desire for God to a thirst for water in a desert. He describes his need to experience God’s presence, power, and glory. He finds satisfaction in God’s love and praise, and trusts in God’s protection and guidance. He expresses the satisfaction he finds in praising God and remembering God’s goodness. David’s response wasn’t to withdraw and pull away from God amid trials. His response was to draw nearer to the God who was always there, right by his side. It was to remember His love and faithfulness and lift up praise.

Having a passion for prayer may be simply spending more time in prayer. Maybe it means cranking up a worship song and singing praises to Him. Perhaps it means sharing with a friend God’s faithfulness in your life. All it requires is passion and commitment to connecting and communicating with God.

Discussion Questions:

How can I incorporate prayer into my daily routine, making it a regular part of my life rather than just something I do on Sundays?
What specific changes can I make this week to prioritize seeking God through prayer?
How can I overcome the obstacles currently hindering my prayer life, such as distractions, a busy schedule, or feelings of unworthiness?