THE PRAYER LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN

10/12/2023

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Several years ago, someone so concerned about my prolonged periods of prayer asked me, "Is there a problem? I have observed that you are always praying." His question was based on his understanding of prayer as an instrument to get something from God. And this understanding is why many Christians are ineffective today in prayer. The essence of prayer was never to get God to do something for us. When we see things happen, it is only the byproduct of prayer. The essence of prayer is fellowship and communion with the Holy Spirit. Such that our spirits are awoken to the ministry of the Word. You will not grasp some things until you are persistent in prayer. Prayer is to your spirit what food is to your body. Andrew Murray once said, "If the spiritual life is healthy, under the full power of the Holy Spirit, praying without ceasing will be natural."

Jesus prayed without ceasing. Before He began each day ministering to the sick and the desolate, He would spend time praying. The Bible records in Mark 1:35, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." Now, if Jesus, the savior of the world, had to rely on prayer to carry out His earthly ministry, why would anyone try to do otherwise? Saints, there is no ministry or ministering without prayer, and no knowledge, earnestness, diligence, or gifting can make up for a deficiency in prayer. Therefore, like Jesus, we should begin and conclude our days with prayer. The best way to prepare to teach sixteen active and energetic toddlers is prayer. The best way for a surgeon to prepare for an open-heart surgery is to pray. If you are launching a rocket into space, first pray. No matter your vocation, begin and conclude your day with prayer. After a long day at work, decompress with prayer. Let prayer be your habit. Make out quality time to spend alone with God.

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, was a woman who had a habit of praying. For Hannah, prayer was not incidental or an afterthought. She saw prayer as a necessity, just like food, water, or oxygen. Hannah prayed for a son but did not abandon her ministry of prayer when the son arrived. She was consistent in prayer. She prayed before Samuel was born and continued in prayer even after he was born. Before Samuel was born, In 1 Samuel 1:10, we read, "…Hannah prayed to the Lord…." In verse 12, we see that "…she kept on praying to the Lord..." And after Samuel was born, in 1 Samuel chapter 2, the chapter begins with, "And Hannah prayed…." From 1 Samuel chapter 2 through 10, we see Hannah praying and prophesying. She did not abandon prayer when she received her miracle.

So, I call on you today to cultivate a life of prayer. It is the key to manifesting God's glory in your life.

Faith-filled Confession

I take my place in the kingdom by being effective in prayer. As I give myself to prayer, I see an alignment with Heaven's plan for my life, family, community, and ministry. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer Points:

Psalm 122:6, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you."

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Pray against schism in the churches

Pray against plans to use the crises in Israel to launch other attacks in the United States.

ONE YEAR READING PLAN: Isaiah 45-47; Colossians 3