Devotional: Prayer IV

Looks like we will be talking about prayer for the foreseeable future. I guess I should stop calling it a devotional and instead call it a bible study because that is what it is. But anyways,  just hunker down and enjoy the ride. LOL! So we were talking about how GOD speaks to us the last time and the focus was on the quiet voice that we need to listen for. Actually, that is the primary way GOD speaks. All the other ways that we are going to examine are all supporting mechanisms so to speak. The quiet impression from GOD – that is the most important and fundamental mechanism that needs to be cultivated.

Today, we examine GOD speaking through HIS word.  As the word says:

Devotional: Prayer III

The last two devotionals have focused on the essential nature of prayer. We have started to answer the question “Why should we pray?”  So far we have identified the following reasons:

   a)      We pray because it is essential to our spiritual growth.

   b)      We pray because Jesus did

   c)      We pray to hear from GOD, understand his purpose for our lives and get his direction and guidance in every situation.

I only briefly alluded to the third reason for prayer in the last post, so today we will deal with this reason in a little more detail.

Devotional: Prayer II

Like I said earlier, we will be talking about prayer in month of January. Part 1 of this series can be found here

Today, the focus is on praying because our example, JESUS prayed.

Why should we pray?

It is a way of building intimacy with GOD. Everybody knows that no relationship will survive without communication. How weird would it be if you were dating/married to someone, and you only spoke to each other in public when you went out together, at the park or at a party. However, when you are alone, you have nothing to say to each other.  What kind of relationship would that be? And how long will it last?  Now when we communicate with someone, it’s a two way thing – we make eye contact, we listen, we speak, we hear what they have to say, they respond to us, we listen to them. 

Devotional: Prayer (I)

Every new year, we all make New Year resolutions - something that we are going to do differently  in the new year. For most people, it is losing weight - which reminds me that I need to work the gym back into my schedule (sigh)! However, I hope that prayer featured prominently in your new year resolution list, because it did in mine. Prayer is the most important activity you will ever partake in as a christian and in 2011, you need to commit to praying often, regularly, persistently and fervently. So for the month of January, all the devotional posts will be on prayer. It is foundational, it is important, without it, you will make no spiritual progress.  Believe me.

I will begin today by highlighting the centrality of prayer to the Christian. JESUS spoke often about prayer, and when HE did, HE assumed that it was something that was happening regularly. HE said "when you pray" - not if you pray.

Examples:

Matthew 6:5

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:6

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 6:7

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
So in today's post, first we establish that prayer is fundamental. You have to pray. I had this conversation with somebody recently,  and this was the illustration I used. In order for the human body to survive, it needs three basic things - air, food and water. Everything else is extra that makes life comfortable. I know that somebody will say something about clothing and shelter, but in warmer climes, those may not be necessary. No human being anywhere on earth can survive for too long without food , water and air.
Similarly, once a person is born again, they need two things to nurture and grow their recreated spirit - prayer and the word. Without those two things, the spirit will shrivel up and die. So we don't only eat because we want to - we eat because we have to. Therefore, we should not only pray because we want to, but because we have to. I will die if I don't eat, and my spirit will be stunted if I don't pray.

I must pray!! Is it easy? Nope not always. Will I always feel like? Nope, not at all, but I must pray, and so must you.
One of my favorite books that motivates me to pray is "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Its not a book on prayer as much as a testimony to the results of prayer. I highly recommend it.

This topic will be covered through out this January but I want to encourage you to prioritize prayer this year. Your life will be completely transformed when you do.

I leave you with one of my favorite songs with which to enter the throne of grace: Baba by Sonnie Badu. There is just something that happens when I play this song. Enjoy HIS presence today