Throughout
the Bible, believers are called to pray. But what is prayer? What does it mean
to "pray without ceasing?" And does prayer really make a difference?
In
order to develop a clear idea of prayer, we must first have a clear idea of
God. Biblically speaking, God is a personal being. This is critical to prayer
because it means that God is a person we can interact with, that He has a will
and that we are able to relate to Him on a meaningful level. If He were
impersonal, then prayer would not be meaningful. If He were personal, but
uncaring and distant, prayer wouldn't serve a purpose.
Not
only is God personal, He is also loving (1 John 4:8, 16; John 3:16). This is
also important in relation to prayer. If God were personal, but uncaring or
unkind, then prayer might do us more harm than good! God is not only loving He
is all loving (omnibenevolent). In relation to prayer, this means that God
always desires the best for us because He loves us.
God
is also wise and holy. He knows what is best for us, as well as what will lead
us to holiness rather than sin. He is also immanent, meaning that God is active
in His creation in a personal way, not only directing greater matters of
history, but also involved in the life of everyone. This means that no prayer
is too great for Him, but also that no prayer is too small for Him.
What Prayer Is Not
Prayer is not magic. We cannot
summon God as though He were a genie, waiting to grant our wishes without
regard for our circumstances or the consequences.
Prayer does not make demands. While we
can make requests of God in prayer, we dare not make demands. God is the
Creator of the universe and does not take orders from us.
Prayer is for our benefit,
not God's. We need a relationship with God, available to us through Jesus
Christ and engaged primarily through prayer, because we were made to function
best when we are in a proper relationship with our Creator.
Prayer is not a guarantee against
suffering. "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33);
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you
participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his
glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13).
Prayer is not an opportunity
for us to show off. "And when you pray, do
not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the street corners to be seen by men" (Matthew 6:5).
What
Is Prayer?
"So
what is prayer? Prayer is a relationship, wherein we humbly communicate,
worship, and sincerely seek God's face, knowing that He hears us, loves us and
will respond, though not always in a manner we may expect or desire. Prayer can
encompass confession, praise, adoration, supplication, intercession and more."
In
addition, our attitude in prayer is important. We must not be haughty, but
humble (Ephesians 4:2; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6, etc.). Seen in this light, to
"pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) means, in one sense, that
we must always strive to have a prayerful attitude. Our prayers must come often
and regularly, not from legalistic duty, but from a humble heart, realizing our
dependence on God in every aspect of our lives.
Now,
I haven't got this whole praying without ceasing thing mastered yet, but I'm
certainly getting it more and more! I’m learning the benefit of "Praying
in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests."
And
truth is with all that’s going on in the world, do we really need anyone to
encourage us to pray more? The loss of life, attacks, cruelty and the likes. Do
we really need someone to say never stop praying? Our children are dying more
frequently, younger and more violently, do we really need someone to call us
and remind us to pray?
We
Are Indeed Living In Some Of The Scariest Of Times, YET, We Have The Advantage
Of Constant Communication With Our Creator Who Is In Control Of All Things. So,
Who Wouldn’t Talk To Him More Often?!
Let’s
Determine Today To Make Prayer Our Lifestyle, Not Just Our Lifeline!
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