Have you ever heard the phrase “En Garde?”  It is a French term that means “be on your guard.” It is a direction used in fencing, telling the participants to be ready to “do battle,” taking the opening position for action.

I thought of that last Sunday. As I was leaving the church where I attended worship, I walked past their Prayer Garden. I knew it was a Prayer Garden because they had a sign marking it as such. However, the “N” in Garden had either fallen off or vandals had removed it. So the sign now read, “Prayer Garde.”

I thought that was appropriate. We should be on our guard and get ready to face everything with prayer. At the start of the day, “Prayer Garde.” As you face every challenge “Prayer Garde.”  What better way to live than to be in conversation with our God about anything and everything?

Romans 12:12  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

The God who made everything loves you and cares about you. He provided a rescue from sin and death so that you could be His now and forever. Jesus Christ lived and suffered and died and rose again so that you could be forgiven and certain of life everlasting. And He invites you to discuss everything with Him.

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in Prayer.
Can we find a Friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness–Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?|
Precious Savior, still our Refuge–Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do Thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer
In his arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

Prayer Garde!