As Christians, we strive to get to know God better – and what better way to do that than through daily prayer? Prayer is a wonderful thing. It can help us get through tough times and celebrate the good times. But how often do you pray? We know life can get in the way from time to time, but taking a few quiet moments with God each and every day something we should all aspire to.

So, as a little reminder, here are some reasons we think praying each and every day is so important…

Brings You Closer to God

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. – Psalm 145:18 

This one is simple… Just as with every other relationship in your life, communication is key! If it’s a closer relationship to God you seek – prayer is the way.  By talking to God each and every day, we can develop a deeper and more meaningful connection. But make sure you talk honestly! Open up about your struggles, talk about your loved ones, ask for forgiveness, and just as importantly, celebrate the joy. By doing this every single day the more you’ll know the heart of our heavenly Father. What could be better or more fulfilling?

Prayer Shines a Light in the Darkness

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:17-18

Sometimes we forget just what a powerful tool prayer is. No matter what you are going through, by speaking to God on a daily basis we can make any situation seem manageable. When you are praying to God, you can tell him just what it is that is concerning you – and, you can be sure he is listening and lessening your burden. But remember, prayer should never be a last resort – it should always be our first response.

It Can Set the Tone for Your Day

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:24 

Life can be incredibly busy. There are chores to do, errands to run and bills to pay. Sometimes the to-do list can seemingly go on forever. Rather than waking up and feeling overwhelmed by the long list of things you need to get done, just pray. By making prayer our first priority, it sets our intention for the day and helps focus on what matters most… Him. Mornings are better when you talk to God first!

Prayer Protects

For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield. – Psalm 5:12

When you pray often, it helps build a faith that can stand firm even when faced with obstacles. When challenges come your way, you can rest assured you are not alone. It’s also a way for us to offer protection to others in our lives. Praying to God in the name of others is a powerful thing and something we should never underestimate!

Have a Prayer you’d like to share? Click here to add yours to our Prayer wall! 

The post The Importance of Daily Prayer appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

On February 21, 2019 the Reverend Billy Graham passed away. Throughout his life, Billy Graham’s words of faith reached across the globe, undoubtedly making him one of the most influential spiritual voices of our time.

Here are just some of the words of wisdom he shared with us in his lifetime….

About Faith and Being a Christian

“Read the Bible. Work hard and honestly. And don’t complain.”

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”

“A real Christian is the one who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.”

“Faith, more than fighting, can change the course of events today.”

About the Bible

“I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right.”

“The very practice of reading [the Bible] will have a purifying effect upon your mind and heart. Let nothing take the place of this daily exercise.”

“Reading God’s Word and meditating on its truth will have a purifying effect upon your mind and heart, and will be demonstrated in your life. Let nothing take the place of this daily privilege.”

“We need to encourage new believers to feed on God’s Word—it is nourishment for the soul.”

About God

“God is more interested in your future and your relationships than you are.”

“God never takes away something from your life without replacing it with something better.”

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.'”

“Don’t ever hesitate to take to [God] whatever is on your heart. He already knows it anyway, but He doesn’t want you to bear its pain or celebrate its joy alone.”

About Loving Others

“It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and my job to love.”

“God has given us two hands–one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.”

“Many invest wisely in business matters, but fail to invest time and interest in their most valued possessions: their spouses and children.”

“Only God can give us a selfless love for others, as the Holy Spirit changes us from within. This is one reason we must receive Christ, for apart from His Spirit we can never be freed from the chains of selfishness, jealousy, and indifference. Will others see Christ’s love in your life today?”

About Prayer

“The most eloquent prayer is the prayer through hands that heal and bless.”

“Prayer is not just asking. It is listening for God’s orders.”

“Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God.”

“Prayer is for every moment of our lives, not just for times of suffering or joy. Prayer is really a place, a place where you meet God in genuine conversation.”

About Heaven

“When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God.”

“No, I don’t know the future, but I do know this: the best is yet to be! Heaven awaits us, and that will be far, far more glorious than anything we can ever imagine.”

“My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”

“God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he’ll be there.”

“Heaven doesn’t make this life less important; it makes it more important.”

About Evangelism

“I just want to lobby for God.”

“I have never known anyone to accept Christ’s redemption and later regret it.”

“We are the Bibles the world is reading; we are the creeds the world is needing; we are the sermons the world is heeding.”

“Spend more time in study and prayer. That’s the secret of successful evangelism.”

“Whenever I counsel someone who feels called to be an evangelist, I always urge them to guard their time and not feel like they have to do everything.”

About Life

“Take one day at a time. Today, after all, is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

“If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.”

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”

“The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.”

“Every area of our lives is to be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And that means the searchlight of God’s Word must penetrate every corner of our lives.”

The post 35 Inspirational Billy Graham Quotes appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.