Prayer is the most talked about subject in many religions today, including Christianity but the least activity carried out in any religious setting.
There are many reasons for such a dilemma in this world that we are living in today: the busyness of life, work pressures and numerous other factors contribute to such a dilemma.
God’s Desire – From the beginning of time, in the garden of Eden, God has always wanted to have fellowship and communion with mankind. But when Adam and Eve fell from that position and place of being in one accord with Him, we got separated from His presence(Genesis 3: 8 – 9). This did not stop God from continuing to seek fellowship and communication with mankind.
He has now made it possible through the sacrificial death and burial of His son Jesus Christ, who came to bear the penalty and prize of the sins of all mankind so that we may all enter boldly into His throne of Grace and Mercy (Hebrews 4: 16).
Why then is it so difficult for us to pray? In James 5:16, we are told that the effective and fervent prayer of a righteous man/woman avails much. From the above Scripture, three characteristics determine how powerful and effective our prayers can be:
- Prayers have to be fervent and coming from a place of intimacy with God.
- They have to be effective, as it says in ( Daniel 11: 32), “those who know their God shall be strong and do great exploits.”
- We have to be living a righteous lifestyle, based on the imputed righteousness we have received from Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21).
With such knowledge in mind, nothing should stop us from entering daily into the presence of God, seeking to have fellowship with Him and communing with our Heavenly Father. Knowing he is the creator of the universe and he dwells in all of His chosen sons and daughters by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Help is Rendered – Romans 8:26, says the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses in the area of prayer and Romans 8:14, says: “As many as are led by the Holy Spirit are the sons and daughters of God”. So there should be no excuse for not praying on a regular and consistent basis. God cannot do anything on earth until He comes into agreement with someone, preferably his sons and daughters.
What is True Prayer? – God, The Almighty Father, coming into agreement with His chosen sons and daughters, based on the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ on the cross of cavalry and through the power of the Holy Spirit, to do His will. Once these conditions are met, prayer takes place.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. After witnessing his many healings, miracles and powerful works of God, they wanted to know how to pray, not how to do the work. They realized the power came from Jesus’s ability to pray.
He spent more time praying with His Heavenly Father, getting up early in the morning, went to a solitary place and prayed. By the time He left God’s presence through praying, He was able to take His Father’s presence and power with Him, everywhere He went, thus performing many signs and wonders.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forevermore, He is still in the business of healing the sick, setting captives free and preaching the gospel to the poor (Luke 4: 18 – 19), but he needs people like you and me to continue to do such works on the earth.
The world in this critical period needs our prayers, but by those who are in an intimate and righteous relationship with God, thereby being effective and availing much.
The Bible gives us many examples of people who prayed effectively and they saw results, eg Elijah, Moses, Daniel and the disciples. We are no different today, our families, our societies, our nation and the world need our fervent and effective prayers.
Let’s stop talking, preaching and teaching about prayer and PRAY because the world needs us to do so in these perilous times.
God Bless
Written by Sister Dale ☺
