The Priority of Prayer in Our Lives

As I think about kids going back to school, or college, traveling, events in the news, or just day-to-day living, I’m encouraged to pray. Prayer is not an option for believers but a mandate from God.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Confidence in Prayer

Prayer is fruitful and such a beautiful act! As believers, when we pray, we exercise our God-given, legal authority on earth and tap into the Kingdom of God.

It is apparent that sometimes one may wonder or feel like God isn’t listening, but He is. Throughout the bible, in the Old and New testament, we read of kings, prophets, widows, rich people, poor people and even Jesus praying. Things happened, lives were changed and people were healed. Prayer truly is meant to be answered or else God would not ask us to pray.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.    I John 5:14

Power of Prayer

When we are in right standing with the Father, He is faithful to answer prayer. Every prayer based on God’s word and offered in faith is answered. When we pray according to His will, He answers but the manifestation comes in His timing.

Don’t take on the mindset that prayer is boring and fruitless. It’s only fruitless if you are praying with the wrong motives and outside of His will. Learn how to approach God and the kind of prayers He responds to. Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

The power of prayer can:

• Reshape, remold, transform lives
• Make a difference in the nation
• Bring change in circumstances
• Give or provide peace and perseverance during a difficult season

True prayer builds intimacy with God, enables belief in His word and produces trust in His love.

Pray and Never Give Up

Whether praying for an individual, family members, community, nation, or world needs, we must seek to be in agreement with God’s will. When we, as Kingdom citizens, pray we give Heaven permission to intervene on our behalf here on earth.

If you aren’t sure how to pray ask the Holy Spirit to guide your heart during your quiet time. Be encouraged to pray for others. God expects for us to pray for everyone and not just for ourselves. The word tells us in I Timothy 2:1, I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

When we stop praying, we allow God’s purposes for our lives, and the world to be hindered. We leave people vulnerable to the influences of the devil and sin.

Prayer Time

Prayer is communication with God based on us reminding Him of His promises. Time spent in prayer is not a waste of time, it is a vital necessity for Kingdom living.

Read His Word, meditate on His Word, and obey His Word so that when you enter into God’s presence you won’t enter in with your own agenda, ideas and attitude.

Prayer makes our lives more focused, efficient, and peaceful.

Here is what Jesus says in Matthew 6: 7-13 about prayer and how He says we should pray:

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Check out this post on time with God and also, Letters to the King, a resource for your daily prayer life.