…Search for peace,

and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the Lord

watch over those who do right,

and his ears are open to their prayers.

1 Peter 3:11-12

 

Before I pray, I try to take a moment to visualize walking through the open door of God’s throne room with Jesus right beside me. His arm is around my shoulders and he says, “Father, she’s mine”.  And then they listen to my heart.

I often tell the Lord that I don’t want to waste his time or mine by praying ineffectively. I want his ears to be open to my prayers. So I ask him to change me, to cleanse my heart and remove anything in me that would hinder him from being able to respond.

And then, standing in the presence of the Creator of the universe, I pray.