Our relationship with God is that of a sacred partnership (covenant) which has marital overtones. A married couple who fail to communicate risks jeopardizing their marriage. Similarly, believers who fail to communicate with God risk drifting from Him. Consequently, Jesus our Savior taught that “men ought always to pray and not to faint”. His teaching on prayer was not only in precept (Lk. 18:1), but also in practice (Mk.1:35; 6:46). In the Scriptures, we are encouraged to “pray without ceasing”’ and in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make our requests known unto God (I Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6). Remember that through prayers, we have the opportunity to lift up our hearts in communication with God Almighty.
Abraham (Genesis 15:5-12,17-18), Jesus our Lord (Luke 9:28-36) and Paul (Philippians 3:17, 4:1) lifted up their hearts in conversation with God and we should follow their examples. Here are examples demonstrating the importance of prayer:
- Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah, ready to be destroyed (Gen.18:23-33) and prayed for a son of his own (Gen.15:3-4).
- One way to explain Jacob wrestling with God is tarrying in prayer. He continued until his name was changed (Gen.32:24-25).
- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego must have prayed to overcome the fiery furnace (Dan.3:16-18,24,25).
- Through prayers the king’s dreamed was revealed to Daniel (Dan.2:14-19).
- Elijah received strength for the long journey through prayers (I Kgs. 19:1-8).
- If not prayer, Nehemiah would not have overcome Sambalat (Neh. 4:6-9).
- Through prayers Eutycus and Dorcas were raised from the dead (Acts 9:36-43; 20:9-12).
Prayer is important for gospel ministers to receive strength, vision and wisdom for the work of God (Lk. 6:12-13) while having God take care of their personal requests (Phil.4:6). In the words of the songwriter, prayer should be sweet and should withdraw us from a world of care into our Father’s throne. Through prayers, our souls should often find relief and escape the tempter’s snare. The opportunity to pray is a great privilege! Having seen the importance of prayer, let us conclude with the influence and instrument of prayer.