But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, Who knows all secrets, will reward you."
(Matt. 6:6 NLT)

What is the best and most important piece of advice I can give for 2016? Pray! Pray it forward!

In these busy lives we all lead, we need "closet time" to get alone with the Lord and pray. We need to go away by ourselves – to a closet, car, room or some place of prayer – and we need to close the door and pray to our Father secretly!

We need to get ahead of the curve in prayer. Ever felt "behind" in prayer? I have. It seems like the two things the enemy likes to steal from Christians are: time in the Word and time to pray. It's no surprise: the devil knows that if he can cut off our communication supply line with Heaven – we are on our own – powerless! When we get too busy to spend time in the Word or in prayer, we start to operate in the energy of the flesh and in our own understanding and we become easy targets for discouragement, fruitlessness and frustration.

This year, by God's grace, I am fighting to spend more time in prayer – connected to Heaven and praying it forward. How about you? I'll bet you want the very same things. Would you like to join me? If so, why not pray these things right now…

Father…

…I want 2016 to be a year of prayer. I want to be closer to You this year. I know You confide in those who spend time with You and I want to hear Your secrets. (Psalm 25:14)

…I want to pray heartfelt prayers that actually make tremendous power available! I know that prayer puts Your power on deposit for anytime I need a withdrawal. (James 5:16)

…I want to saturate my heart with Your Word and let it dwell in me richly because I know that when I pray according to Your Word, You hear me and if I know You hear me, I know You will give me the things I have requested. (John 15:7, 1 John 5:14)

…I want to pray out the future – now. I want to hook up with the Holy Spirit and as I pray with my understanding and in tongues, I know You will help me to pray out Your will for the future. (1 Cor. 14:2, 13-15)

…I want to pray so that "Your kingdom comes and Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven" – in my life, in our family, in our church and in all You've called me to do. (Matt. 6:10)

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

So, now that 2016 is started on the right foot, let's continue to pray it forward!

Say It: Father, this is my desire – I ask for more grace to make 2016 a year of 'praying it forward.' I know that when I pray according to Your Word, You hear me and You always answer. In Jesus' Name. Amen.