Prayer
How we pray and what we pray for reveals the desires of our hearts. They become a litmus test for the depth and strength of our faith. How often and with what intention do we engage in prayer? This question not only pertains to individual Christians but also speaks volumes about the values and hopes of a church.
J.I. Packer put it this way, "Prayer is the measure of a man, spiritually, in a way that nothing else is."
True faith is not merely passively believing that God exists; true faith is an active force that propels us to desire communion with the Creator. On the other hand, nominal Christianity seldom finds expression in prayer. And the person who would take God’s rightful place on the throne does not feel the need to pray. It follows that the frequency and fervor of our prayers are an indicator of the authenticity of our faith.
Scripture is clear that we should not see prayer as something optional or only necessary when we need something from God that we can’t produce on our own. It should be primarily directed towards praise and worship of the One who saved us through His grace and mercy.
Genuine faith, fueled by the Holy Spirit, finds its voice in prayer. It resembles leaning on a chair for support or acknowledging our need for God is as essential as the air we breathe. In essence, prayer is to faith what breathing is to the body – an indispensable act for survival.
Examining our prayer lives becomes a crucial introspection. What do our prayers reveal about our faith? Similarly, what do the corporate prayers of our church unveil about its values and reliance on God?
The book of Acts offers a clear picture of the early church's devotion to prayer. Acts 1:14, 24; 2:42; 4:31; 12:5; 20:36 – these passages testify to a community bound together by the power of collective prayer. Individuals, too, engaged in private prayers, exemplified by the Apostles, Peter, Cornelius, and Paul and Silas.
And our prayers need not be lengthy; Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 reminds us to let our words be few when we approach the house of God. Jesus also warned of lengthy prayers done for show and gave us the Lord's Prayer as a beautiful example of how to approach God the Father.
Good prayers are characterized by honesty, humility, and contrition, mirroring the sentiments found in the Psalms or Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane. God is not afraid of our brokenness. We don’t need to “pretty up” our prayers, as He already knows our hearts. When our prayers begin and end with thanksgiving and praise, adhere to God's Word, and ultimately rely on the mediating blood of Christ (Hebrews 4:16), they will bring about transformative results.
For church leaders, the call is to lead congregations into a deeper commitment to prayer. When these prayers encompass confession, praise, intercession, and thanksgiving, they serve as both a communal and private guide. The public prayers of a church become a powerful teacher, instructing believers in how to offer prayers when in private communion with God.
It is easy in the rhythm of our daily lives, to foolishly rely on our self-sufficiency, not recognizing the vital need for prayer. The cleansing power of God's Son and the intercession of His Spirit assure us that our confidence lies not in the perfection of our prayers but in the grace of our Lord and Savior. Let us offer our prayers with gratitude, for in Him, we find our ultimate praise.
This week, take time to pray this prayer from Psalms 63:1-8 every day. I know you will be blessed.
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Credit: Ron Kelley
J.I. Packer put it this way, "Prayer is the measure of a man, spiritually, in a way that nothing else is."
True faith is not merely passively believing that God exists; true faith is an active force that propels us to desire communion with the Creator. On the other hand, nominal Christianity seldom finds expression in prayer. And the person who would take God’s rightful place on the throne does not feel the need to pray. It follows that the frequency and fervor of our prayers are an indicator of the authenticity of our faith.
Scripture is clear that we should not see prayer as something optional or only necessary when we need something from God that we can’t produce on our own. It should be primarily directed towards praise and worship of the One who saved us through His grace and mercy.
Genuine faith, fueled by the Holy Spirit, finds its voice in prayer. It resembles leaning on a chair for support or acknowledging our need for God is as essential as the air we breathe. In essence, prayer is to faith what breathing is to the body – an indispensable act for survival.
Examining our prayer lives becomes a crucial introspection. What do our prayers reveal about our faith? Similarly, what do the corporate prayers of our church unveil about its values and reliance on God?
The book of Acts offers a clear picture of the early church's devotion to prayer. Acts 1:14, 24; 2:42; 4:31; 12:5; 20:36 – these passages testify to a community bound together by the power of collective prayer. Individuals, too, engaged in private prayers, exemplified by the Apostles, Peter, Cornelius, and Paul and Silas.
And our prayers need not be lengthy; Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 reminds us to let our words be few when we approach the house of God. Jesus also warned of lengthy prayers done for show and gave us the Lord's Prayer as a beautiful example of how to approach God the Father.
Good prayers are characterized by honesty, humility, and contrition, mirroring the sentiments found in the Psalms or Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane. God is not afraid of our brokenness. We don’t need to “pretty up” our prayers, as He already knows our hearts. When our prayers begin and end with thanksgiving and praise, adhere to God's Word, and ultimately rely on the mediating blood of Christ (Hebrews 4:16), they will bring about transformative results.
For church leaders, the call is to lead congregations into a deeper commitment to prayer. When these prayers encompass confession, praise, intercession, and thanksgiving, they serve as both a communal and private guide. The public prayers of a church become a powerful teacher, instructing believers in how to offer prayers when in private communion with God.
It is easy in the rhythm of our daily lives, to foolishly rely on our self-sufficiency, not recognizing the vital need for prayer. The cleansing power of God's Son and the intercession of His Spirit assure us that our confidence lies not in the perfection of our prayers but in the grace of our Lord and Savior. Let us offer our prayers with gratitude, for in Him, we find our ultimate praise.
This week, take time to pray this prayer from Psalms 63:1-8 every day. I know you will be blessed.
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Credit: Ron Kelley
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