The Call to Pray
16 December 2024
ENCOURAGE
Affirmation: "I will commit myself to a life of prayer."
Today there are many Christians who maintain a passive prayer life. I know because at times I've been one! I think a few reasons for this might be:
We've become so accustomed to God's omnipresence and omniscience that we have watered down the privilege of direct access to the Living God.
We don't recognize how powerful and effective prayer truly is.
We see it as a chore or formality rather than a way of life.
We treat it as an optional activity rather than a spiritual mandate in the life of a disciple.
We are not familiar with the different functions of prayer, so limit them to routine prayers (morning prayer, blessing food, bed-time prayers).
We think God doesn't want to hear from us.
We must realize that a prayer-less Christian is a power-less Christian. The Bible teaches us that the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21); and that praying (in the Holy Spirit) build us up in our most holy faith (Jude 1:20). Furthermore, Jesus, during the Sermon on the Mount, told His disciples, "when you pray," not "if you pray." This tells us that for true disciples, prayer is not an option, it's a mandate.
Prayer should not be seen as a spiritual chore, but rather as gift and tool that allows us to communicate with God. I like to define prayer as a direct means of communication with God for the purpose of fellowship, partnership, petitions, or repentance. Prayer includes but is not limited to making requests, petitions, declarations, confession, meditating (on the Word), listening, intercession, etc. When we make prayer a priority in our lives, we are making God and His will a priority in our lives.
When we pray:
We intimately connect with God.
We become attuned to the spiritual reality of the day.
We have the opportunity to partner with God through declarations, petitions, and intercession that sets things into motion on the earth.
We allow the Holy Spirit to build our faith and release the perfect will of God.
We open a doorway to the secret place where God's secrets and divine revelations are revealed.
Prayer is so much more than just asking for blessings and favor. It is an invitation to partner your faith with God to bring His will on earth as it already is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). It's an opportunity to be transformed by His presence, like Moses on the Mount of Sinai (Exodus 34). It gives us a place to intercede for others (Daniel 9) and receive strategy, insight and wisdom from God (James 1:5). It's a time to pour your heart out to Him in weeping or rejoicing, like Psalmist David. It's a chance to let Holy Spirit make perfect intercession for you (Romans 8:26-27) and wage ware against the kingdom of darkness. There are so many reasons we should stay PRAYED UP!
The Scriptures tell us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18). This is a discipline we cannot afford to neglect. We can't expect to live in the power of Christ if we aren't allowing that power to flow through prayer. If you think of prayer as spiritual weight-lifting, how much do you lift? If prayer is a treadmill, are you quitting within the first few minutes or can you endure a few miles? Friend, if you don't show up to the gym (prayer) you're not going to get fit (built up in faith). It's time we take the call to prayer more seriously and personally, because it is personal!
EQUIP
Meditation Scriptures:
Proverbs 18:21
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Ephesians 6:10-18
Matthew 16:19
BUILD
Call to Action: Reflect on your prayer life and create a list of "glows and grows." After writing your list, start working towards one growth goal.
Glows= things that are going well/you are happy with.
Grows= things you would like to make better/grow in.
Example List (this is not a personal reflection, just an example)
Glows: I am consistent in praying daily; I incorporate Scriptures into my prayers, I set daily alone time with God; I make sure to sit and wait to hear from God.
Grows: I want to pray more in the Spirit throughout the day; I want to start praying for longer periods of time; Create prayer points so I am clear and intentional about what I'm seeking the Lord in prayer about; Ask God what and who I should pray for; Pray more for others than I do myself.
**If you are not baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, this blogger has a beautiful prayer if you'd like to receive that gift https://quietplace4prayer.wordpress.com/inspirational-words/prayer/prayer-to-receive-the-holy-spirit/. He is a Catholic Charismatic so may hold some theological differences, but we all have the same Holy Spirit, so I hope you'd embrace this beautiful prayer regardless of denomination. If you're having religious/divisive thoughts read Luke 9:49-50 and Mark 9:38-40.**
