THE POWER AND NECESSITY OF PRAYER

THE POWER AND NECESSITY OF PRAYER

“Teach us to pray.” The request was made by one of Jesus’ disciples that He may uncover the right way to access God. Jesus regularly implored and constantly stressed the need of prayer on the part of His disciples. The world, and some alleged Christians also, do not perceive the necessity for prayer. Sin isolates man from God; in this manner it is not normal for the worldly-minded man to pray. The sinful man supposes he is leader of his own destiny and needs no outer help, yet how rapidly this state of mind changes when the occasions of life go past the circle of man’s control, and he flops past the hold of himself or a comprehension of the circumstances that encompass him.

The song says, “Prayer is the key to the door of grace.” Jesus stated, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9). John the Baptist cried, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The main path into the Kingdom of Heaven, then, is by the repentance path, through the door of grace that opens just to prayer. In this may the estimation of prayer be seen – it is the only way men can be reestablish fellowship with God.

At the point when Jesus stated, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint,” He could see that laziness and sin would be widespread on the earth. ”Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). Jesus foreknew the day when individuals could so easily derail from the obligations of active service for God and genuine sincerity in prayer, faith, and consecration, and be enticed by the spirit of careless indifference that would lead them to certain destruction if they continued in that course. All who aspire to stay in contact with God must pray, for when prayer stops in the individual life, fainting in the spiritual sense follows. Physical fainting is unfavorable to physical movement, whereas spiritual fainting causes more prominent harm to the soul’s spiritual growth.

Prayer is the supply line to the soul’s vital day by day supply of grace. It is the medium by which men can stay in touch with God. It is the wellspring of supply for oil to keep the lamp of God glowing in our lives. (See Matthew 25:1-13.) Prayer is the thing that will prepare us and keep us prepared for the coming of Jesus.

“Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). “In my name,” implies in line and according to the Father’s will. A man couldn’t legitimately ask something in Jesus’ name adverse to His will, and expect an answer, could he? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). A vast majority of people look for the worldly things first and the spiritual life last, then ask why their prayers are not answered.

The Bible talks much about being determined in prayer. God honors determination in looking for His blessing. The Lord has delight in answering the prayers of individuals who are certain that the blessing they look for is the will of God, and after that present the petition with purpose and assurance, sincerity and enthusiasm, urgency and persistence. God answers prayer.

The prayer that won’t let go, as Jacob’s prayer (Genesis 32:24-29); the prayer that won’t be put off, as the Syrophenician woman’s (Mark 7:25-30); the prayer petitioned in desperate need, as the demoniac’s (Mark 5:1-20); the prayer of insistence, as the prayer in Luke 11:5-8; the prayer prayed only for God’s glory, as Elijah’s on Mt. Carmel (I Kings 18:22-39) – these are the sorts of prayers that God answers. He is similarly as eager to hear and answer our prayers as He was the petitions of these Biblical characters, for

“God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

[Featured image from lifechurchsalem.com]