Why should you and I make PRAYER a priority in our lives?
1. We are commanded to pray “without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17).
- The word “pray” or “prayer” is mentioned 164 times in the Bible.
- I Chron. 16:11 says: “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”
2. We are told to pray so the Word can have “free course...” (I Thess. 3:1).
- “Free course” means to run, spread rapidly, and inundate lives.
- If we want to see the Word of God have free course in our community, outreach ministries, families, etc., we must make prayer a priority.
3. We are to pray so we can be watchful and offer “thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2).
4. We are instructed to pray so we can understand the Bible (Eph. 1:18).
- Prayer gives us wisdom and provides enlightenment in regards to the Bible.
5. We are told to pray because our “flesh” is weak and temptations are all around us (Matt. 26:41).
6. We are commanded to pray to “the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).
7. We are charged to pray because it is a heavenly requirement (Luke 18:1).
- Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint”. Prayer is not just a privilege; it is a divine requirement. The believer must cultivate persistence in prayer. Prayer is hard and strenuous work. If we wait until we feel like praying, it will seldom happen.
- Samuel Chadwick once said: “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we PRAY.”
8. Here are other examples of why we should make prayer a priority in our lives:
• Parable of the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-7)
• Peter’s release from prison (Acts 12)
• Prayer activates the power of God (James 5:16; Jer. 33:3)
• Jesus gave us a pattern to follow (Luke 6:12)
• Prayer protects us from having an unforgiving spirit (Mark 11:25)
• God commanded it (I Timothy 2:1-3)
Isaiah 65:24
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
Come join us for our 10:30 AM worship service, or our 1:00 PM prayer service at New Life. We look forward to studying God's Word with you!
