sticky situation? Is it just a ritual, with no real consequence? Perhaps you view it as
sort of a good luck charm; or is it just a tradition, something that should be passed
along to the next generation? Or, is it an extension of the personal relationship that
you enjoy with your Heavenly Father? I sincerely hope that your answer is the last
one! Prayer should not be looked upon as a chore, but as an intimate time, spent with
your loving Heavenly Father, who loves you as no other.
Prayer is a time of communion between God and His child. It's a time to praise Him,
a time to bring others before Him, and a time of petition for yourself. We are admonished
in Psalms 100 to "Come before His presence with singing. Enter into His gates with
thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His
name."
Some people are of the persuasion that prayer is useless, that God knows everything,
therefore it is a waste of time to bring to His attention what He already knows. This is
so wrong on so many levels! Do we dismiss our children when they come to us with
their concerns and needs that we already are aware of? No! As a parent, we welcome
our children to share with us. Do you not think, that our Heavenly Father welcomes us
to come to Him with our concerns? Proverbs 15:29b "But He (God) heareth the
prayer of the righteous." Psalms 34:15 "The eyes of the LORD are upon the
righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry."
Prayer can be in anticipation of God's blessing, or it can be thankfulness because of
God's blessing. God's Word also teaches the importance of intercessory prayer on the
behalf of another. In Acts chapter 12 we read of the account of Peter who was imprisoned
by Herod. The King had murdered James, and intended the same for Peter. In verse 5
we read, "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing
of the church unto God for him." Do you think that God was unaware of what was
happening to His disciple? Of course He was. Praying for something draws our attention
to the answer, we get to see the power of God at work! God sent an angel to release Peter
from prison. "And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined
in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up
quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands."
God answered the prayers of the saints concerning Peter. What I find amazing about
this story is the reaction of those that were praying. Peter showed up at the prayer
meeting! Verses 13 - 16 "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel
came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened
not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And
they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.
Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had
opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished." Here were these Christians,
praying earnestly for Peter's release, yet they didn't believe it when it happened! What
is our reaction to answered prayer? Do we praise God, or do we stagger with disbelief?
1 John 5:14 & 15 "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask
anything according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."
Read these verses again very carefully. This is not saying that we will get whatever
we want! It states that our petitions must be "according to His will". Peter's release
from prison was according to God's will. Do you pray believing that God will answer?
Or do you exhibit the same astonishment that these early Christians did when they saw
the answer to their prayers standing before them? Why waste your time praying for
something, if you do not believe that God can answer! Belief and prayer go hand in
hand.
How is your prayer life today? Has it become just a daily ritual with no real connection
to your Heavenly Father? I encourage you to pray, believing in the loving power of
God. He is waiting to bless us through prayer...don't keep Him waiting! Psalms 5:2 & 3
"Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto Thee will I
pray. My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD: in the morning will I
direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up."
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father's throne,
Make all my wants and wishes known:
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear,
To Him whose truth and faithfulness,
Engage the waiting soul to bless:
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.
William Walford
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