Prayer is both wonder and mystery, both calling and challenging, both easy as breathing and as difficult as wrestling. It is all of that and more. Prayer can be hard work and yet the most wonderful important work we will ever do.
There was a job to be done (prayer). Everybody was certain that somebody would do it. Now, anybody could have done it, but nobody asked anybody to do it. Everybody thought somebody would do it but nobody did it and somebody got angry. Everybody blamed somebody because nobody did anybody’s job. Everybody wants to get; nobody wants to give. Anybody can serve; but everybody wants to be served.
But there was somebody who is different from everybody. The Bible says of him “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.” Our plight in life should be to live like the Son of Man, a man of prayer. In Chapter 17 of John, Jesus spent the entire chapter praying, 81 per cent of the His prayer is for others. Intercessory Prayer.
For many the subject of prayer is about as exciting as changing a flat tire or watching paint dry. This is probably because the regular practice of prayer is just plain hard work. Indeed, some people find it so boring and difficult that they become very creative in dodging the responsibility. Unfortunately, for many Christians prayer has become as commonly utilized as a fire escape, for emergencies only. This is not God’s perspective on prayer. In fact, He views it as the most profound and significant discipline of the Christian life.
Paul tells us to pray unceasingly. James tells us that the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. We pray to God to know Him, to lay our requests before Him, and to find directions for our lives. What if we all prayed more fervently?
Read on for more on “What If?”
We appreciate your continued prayer and financial support. We need both to meet the ministry obligations. Thank you for your faithfulness.