Good Morning Friends,
The benefits of prayer are so amazing. Science supports that prayer improves self-control, makes us nicer and more forgiving. Research suggests that prayer has the tangible health benefits of offsetting the negative effects of stress and even increases trust. I guess some may feel too guilty to pray. And others may be too fearful that their appeals to God might not sound holy enough for God to hear. Silly really. Many undoubtedly think prayer is boring and a waste of air. They do not expect answers. But those who do not praise God and do not request of God to help them fulfill their purpose miss out on one of the greatest gifts of being human. Seriously, we are missing out when we do not come before God. We were made to desire this. And yes, some of us are hardwired to suffer. I suspect that Christ was. But this too can be turned to joy with the renewing of our minds. So, Why Do We Not Pray More Often?
Scripture: Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (NRSV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
John 16:20-23 (NRSV)
After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival, he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.
Acts 18:23-28 (NRSV)
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.”
John 16:23b-28 (NRSV)
Message: God opens His throne room to us. We do not need an appointment even though God is infinitely more important than any human being. We are not even worthy to be in God’s presence and yet we are invited. This invitation is amazing and makes no sense at all unless God loves us. As Jesus, told Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Friends, the same work of Jesus Christ that forgives our sins and gives us life and salvation, also opens the door to God in prayer. Jesus is the reason prayer is so accessibly and not to take advantage of this gift because of our arrogance is beyond stupid. Because of the work of Jesus Christ, this blessing is ours at any time and any place. Prayer is a great gift that we receive along with our salvation. But there is a challenge in prayer for it connects us to being part of the body of Christ with an assigned role that may not be obvious to us. We try to bring harmony to the cognitive dissonance and in the process, suffer. Sometimes we will not always handle all the information necessary to understand what we are to pray. Sometimes we must act in faith and be transformed by the action of surrender. Friends, the nature of prayer is to commit ourselves to others and learn how to continually improve the use of our gifts to glorify God in a way that turns our suffering and the suffering of others into joy.
And So, quality is more important than quantity. But quantity over time improves the quality of one’s prayer life. God has established prayer as the means by which we receive his supernatural help in becoming more Christlike. And without supernatural help, we cannot live a life worthy of the gospel. Everything that distinguishes Christians from the world in a Christ-exalting way is a work of God’s supernatural grace demonstrated through prayer. And God has ordained that this grace flows to us through prayer. That is why prayer must be central in our lives and families and ministries. And so, consider what you are praying for and pray it honors God. Practice praying without ceasing. Expect a miracle through prayer and understand what it is and what it is not. Learn to pray again and be devoted to cultivating a prayer life that is profound. Friends, there are a lot of reasons to be devoted to an active prayer life. But all you need is one. The Bible tells us in the psalms to pray and that should be enough. And the Bible further instructs us to have a desire to not be seen as the focus of prayer. So too we are to reconcile with others before prayer. We are to pray before important decisions. We are to pray without a bunch of words if possible and be bold in believing God will answer. So, place yourself in God’s presence and practice every day with a focus of continually improving the quality of one’s relationship with God.
Pray we realize that our worthiness is not the issue so that our joy may be full. Pray in Jesus’ name because he has authority. Pray we keep on our minds the correct focus, vision, and purpose of prayer. Pray boldly before the throne of God. Pray we accept that which comes to us through prayer. Pray our prayers be confident, intelligent, compliant, and expectant. Pray that God is glorified in our lives. Pray that we realize that we are part of something greater. Pray that we use both our gifts and faith. Pray we offer our bodies, minds and will in the struggle for unity. Pray we celebrate the diversity but not the chaos. Pray we know what to do and where and when we are to do it. Pray we combine the talents we have been given and the experiences of our lives with our very personalities to discover how to overcome the suffering of life with the joy of glorifying God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 