Are you a prayerful person? Most of us would say we have room to grow in prayer. One of the most encouraging aspects of believers’ lives is pouring out our hearts to God and watching as He responds. There is absolutely no better way for us to communicate our thankfulness, adoration, desires, or grievances with God than through prayer. Yet, for so many of us, it becomes an afterthought. We can also be robotic or neglect to pray altogether.
As Christians, we certainly know we need to pray. Romans 12:12 tells us to be constant in prayer. First Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. This is encouraging because it means our prayers can be spoken (and thought) without ritual or preparation. They can be honest, spontaneous, and raw. For example, a thought pops into our head about someone in need or something worrying us. Maybe it’s something we’re encouraged by. We acknowledge that thought before the Lord. “Thanks that I didn’t trip over that hose, God!” or “Someone I know is hurting right now, Lord. I pray you would give him or her grace and a boost of encouragement right now.” It doesn’t always have to be big and lengthy — just little prayers to God mixed in with our thoughts.
However, we should also pray intentional prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and supplication. In the New Testament, Jesus prayed those kinds of prayers both publicly and privately. God certainly did amazing things with people’s prayers. He freed Peter from prison. Along with that, Paul asked for prayer from the saints. Additionally, he said that God granted blessings to him because others prayed for him.
What Keeps Us?
What keeps us from praying as much as we know we should? Is it a lack of belief? Possibly, we’ve prayed for things before but didn’t receive the answer we wanted? Do we believe that “God is going to work out His will anyway, so what is my prayer really doing?” To my shame, I know I’ve had these thoughts before.
Thomas Watson, the Puritan pastor, wrote, “It is Christ’s prayer in heaven that makes the saints’ prayers so available… Prayer, as it comes from the saints is but weak and languid; but when the arrow of a saint’s prayer is put into the bow of Christ’s intercession it pierces the throne of grace.”
This is indeed encouraging! There is a mystery to prayer that we won’t understand in this life. However, we would do well to remember that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” We are the righteous ones because of what Jesus accomplished. Our prayers are powerful and effective because He intercedes for us.
We can’t be everywhere for everyone at all times. But, our all-powerful God can. Furthermore, the most helpful thing we can do is ask God to be a part of what is going on in our lives and the lives of those we pray for.
Praying,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor