Prayer is Essential
Prayer.
Sometimes encouraging, sometimes perplexing. Sometimes rewarding, sometimes
disheartening.
Prayer is an often discussed subject, but I feel that it must be dealt with here at this time.
First and foremost prayer must be defined:
The Strong's Concordance loosely defines prayer as a supplication to God, worship and
drawing near to God through worship. A dictionary I referenced stated prayer to be: A devout
request or petition made to a deity. Spiritual and wordless communion with God.
Prayer is mentioned in the Bible 109 times in the form "p-r-a-y-e-r" alone.
The word "p-r-a-y-e-r-s" is found 24 times.
309 times can you find the word "p-r-a-y".
Three other forms of the word pray are found a combined total of 29 times in; "p-r-a-y-e-t-h", "p-
r-a-y-e-s-t", and
"p-r-a-y-i-n-g".
It is easy to see the importance prayer has, or should have, in the life of a Child of God.
The first notable mention of prayer in the Bible can be found in Genesis 4:26.
"And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men
to call upon the name of the Lord." (emphasis mine)
Even before this time, man and God were involved in discourse and communication between
one another. God spoke to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and they were able to speak
back. This communion, or closeness, between God and man could be considered prayer.
So, as can be quickly understood, prayer is a necessary avenue between God and created
man.
So, you may ask, what is the purpose of prayer?
God desires that all know Him as Lord of their lives and Saviour of their souls. Man's only
means of communicating with God is through prayer, or spiritual or literal conversation with
Him.
If you are to know God, you will pray. Period. There is no other way that man can be drawn
near to the heart of God except through a continued lifestyle of prayer.
There are literally hundreds of scriptures in the Bible concerning prayer. I can only mention a
few in my limited time and space.
I Thessalonians 5:17-"Pray without ceasing."
Luke 18:1-"And he(Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought alway to
pray, and not to faint;" (explanation mine)
James 5:13-"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms."
I Chronicles 16:11-"Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually."
Matthew 26:41-"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing,
but the flesh is weak."
As you can see, it is clear that God's desire for you is to pray. To talk with Him. To be in
communion with Him.
Some will ask, "Why does it seem my prayers do not get answered?"
My friend, that is a difficult question, but it has a simple answer. God is not required to answer
the requests of man's prayers with a "Yes". Oft times, God must answer "No", which is
frequently mistaken by man as an unanswered prayer. Sometimes God will answer "Wait",
which leads some to think God has not answered their prayers.
Sir, M'am...God does answer your prayers.
IF you are in right standing with Him.
Psalm 34:17 states:
"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
And again in Proverbs 15:29:
"The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."
Many people from the Bible could claim that God heard and answered their prayers.
Moses, Gideon, Hannah, Samuel, Solomon, Elijah, Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, Ezra, and
Zacharias just to name a few.
I can tell you from personal experience that God hears and answers prayer.
I have been down and out, with no way to climb out, and God has pulled me to the top.
I have had no money, and God made a way for me to pay that bill.
I have been sick and God has healed me.
I was a sinner, bound and doomed for Hell, but God heard my cry of repentance and brought
salvation to my soul.
Some may ask, "How do I know what to say when I pray?"
The words you say, and the length of your prayers are not what is important to God.
Elijah prayed 63 words on Mount Carmel and God sent down fire from Heaven. Only 63 words.
(I Kings 18:36&37)
Hezekiah prayed only 30 words and God healed him and added 15 years to his life. (Isaiah 38:
2-5)
Jabez uttered just 33 words and God blessed him. (I Chronicles 4:10)
The thief on the cross spoke only 9 words and Jesus promised him a place with Him in
paradise. (Luke 23:42&43)
Peter could only muster 3 words, "Lord, save me" when he was sinking in the stormy sea, but
Jesus still answered his cry.
Where are you putting your hope?
In some false religion that cannot guarantee salvation?
In unstable financial gains?
In a belief that says when you die you are gone and that is it?
Why not put your trust in a sure thing? Why not hope in real hope?
God is here for you right now. That is no joke.
Prayer is the answer. Prayer is essential. There is no other way.
You choose.
II Corinthians 6:2 says,"...behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of
salvation.)” (emphasis mine)