WE MUST PRAY
The New Oxford American Dictionary defines prayer as “a request for help or an expression of thanks addressed to God.” Prayer is conversation with God, through Jesus our Intercessor. In other words, a prayer is addressed to God the Father and is ended with, “In Jesus’ name.”
Adam and Eve enjoyed face-to-face communication with God as they strolled with Him in the Garden. Unfortunately, disobedience and rebellion severed their beautiful and intimate relationship with God. Fortunately for us, God’s rich mercy restored relationship through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Now, through prayer, we have complete access to our heavenly Father, who hears and answers prayers.
Prayerlessness (failure to communicate with God) ties His hands. He gave us dominion over the earth with the command to subdue it (Genesis 1:28). For God to intervene in the affairs of mankind, we must pray. He will not violate His laws and interfere in the events of mankind, because He does not force His will upon us. Thus, we must pray and intercede for ourselves, our families, friends, leaders, the U.S.A., and a lost and dying world.
Prayer initiates the supernatural intervention of God who desires to move on behalf of His creation; however, He waits for us to ask. And in asking, we have confidence that whatever we ask in the name of Jesus Christ that God the Father will respond…in His time (John 16:23). However, there is a caveat to this statement. When asking, we must examine our motives. Are we seeking His will with pure motives or for personal gain? James, the half-brother of Jesus said, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:1-4).
Prayer is a mobilizing force that should be the first line of defense. Unfortunately, prayer is often the last resort after all human efforts have been exhausted. Apathy towards prayer gives the enemy an opening to rob, kill, and destroy. That is why the Apostle Paul exhorted followers of Christ to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). “For the Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
Throughout the Bible, men and women prayerfully petitioned God, but most importantly, the words, “And God heard,” are repeated throughout Scripture. Not only can we be comforted, knowing that He hears us, but we have the assurance that our prayers are so important to God that they are a “sweet incense” held in “golden bowls” (Revelation 5:8). Assuredly, God hears our every prayer and answers in His time and according to His will.
Prayer is conversation with our Heavenly Father who lovingly fashioned us to have fellowship with Him. Conversations with Him can be long or short. It is not the quantity of words; rather it is one’s heart speaking to God’s heart. We can share our deepest thoughts and concerns and know that He receives us without judgment, criticism, or rejection.
Prayer is the exchange of information with God. The mistake often made in prayer is to pray repetitiously as if it were a mantra. However, God instructs that when we pray, we are not to use vain (useless) repetitions (Matthew 6:7).
When we converse with God, His Spirit responds, but are we listening? Imagine the limitations within a relationship that has little communication. The relationship would not grow, causing one or both to seek others for a connection.
The beautiful aspect of prayer is that praying can be done while driving, walking, jogging, working in the yard, cooking, showering, resting, etc. It does not matter the time or place. God never sleeps and is accessible twenty-four-seven. When we want to express love and appreciation, ask for forgiveness, seek direction, or ask for help, He is always available to hear and to respond. In return, we must listen for His Spirit to speak guidance, direction, and comfort to our spirit.
God’s Word assures us that He will never leave nor forsake us. It is we who ignore the Father. He longs for fellowship, for He created us for fellowship. Sadly, that sweet communion with God is too often replaced with numerous and often unnecessary activities, mindless hours sitting before a television, and countless hours on electronic devices.
Praying, listening, and speaking God’s Word are vital keys in communicating with Him and taking authority over the enemy. The more we apply and speak God’s Word, the more we recognize His voice that speaks direction, comfort, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, and even correction. Through prayer, we learn how to apply His Word to everyday life. We understand that His Word is alive, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword that pierces and divides soul and spirit and discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). His Word never fails and is like a heat-seeking missile that speedily finds its target.
There is delivering, healing power in speaking God’s Word for His Word subdues the enemy and summons angels to fight for us. When His Word is spoken, His life force goes forth to accomplish His Word, for it was His spoken Word that gave life and form to all creation. To neglect prayer is to inhibit God’s power to work within us. For God’s Word is creative, restorative, regenerative life to the mind, body, soul, and spirit. Ignoring His Word is to ignore the power of His Son Jesus and the Source of life.
Daily, we witness the dismantling of America. Violence is rampant, and freedoms and prosperity, once enjoyed by Americans and coveted by other countries, are quickly being lost to government mandates designed to erode constitutional rights. Difficult days promised in God’s Word are here, but how many are prepared for even darker days to come?
More pastors are alerting people to heed the Scripture’s warnings to watch for Jesus’ return least we be caught off guard due to careless living. “For scoffers will come, scoffing, and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4 NIV).
Jesus told His disciples of terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, money, pleasure, boastful, proud, disobedient, abusive, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, rash, treacherous, conceited, rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power (2 Timothy 3:1-4). “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:37-42 NIV). For that reason, God urges us to “…keep a constant vigil [and pray] that we may arrive in His presence without experiencing the horrors that will come upon the earth” (Luke 21:35-36).
PRAYER: FATHER, Your Word tells me not to be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to You and Your peace will guard my heart and mind (Philippians 4:6). Therefore, I ask that You help me to make a daily habit of praying, expressing my heart, and learning to listen to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.