A Call To Prayer

We are called to be a people of prayer. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (see 2 Chronicles 7:14) Jesus knew we would face a lot. When He prayed for us He asked the Father to hear and forgive the people. Our job is to pray in faith. God hears us and wants to help us.

A Blessed Church Prays

For the church to be blessed we should be a people of prayer. God wants us to come to Him. We all need him because we all sin, and prayer is essential, not only as believers but as the church, the people of God. We are asked to seek the Lord’s face in prayer, when we do we get to know Jesus, and better understand His will. Praying on behalf of others opens the door for God to work in their lives. We can pray in faith and trust that He hears and answers.

A Close Relationship with Jesus

We can be as close to Jesus as we want to. Because of what He did for us we can pray any time. We serve a faithful God who hears our prayers. We may not see the answer as soon as we’d like, but God is faithful, and His timing is perfect because He knows what’s best for us. We are called to be devoted to prayer with a faithful heart. (see Col 4:2-4) Eph 6: 18-20 reminds us to pray for believers, sinners, and in this case Paul and His ministry. Today we have the same calling to pray for those in leadership and ministry.

Confession, Unity, and Evangelism

James talks about confessing our sins to one another. When we do so we can pray and ask for forgiveness for our sins. Praying with others develops Unity in the body of Christ. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16 NLT) Praying moves the hand of God, and makes room for Him to work in our lives and the lives of others. Praying for those who don’t know Him or have wandered is effective and can bring them back into a relationship with the Father who loves His children. He wants to be close to us. It’s not God’s will that any should perish.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.” (John 10: 14 NIV)

Jesus Prays for Believers

He wants to work in the lives of His people because He loves us and prays for us now, just as He did in John 17.

21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! (John 17:21-23)

Knowing that Jesus prayed for us so long ago, and continues to pray for us today is a wonderful and sincere act of love. Because of this great love, we can talk to Him about anything. We can ask for direction so we can walk in fulfillment of His plans for us, we can pray for our needs and the needs of our loved ones. Jesus modeled a lifestyle of prayer, if He needed it while being fully human, and fully God, how much more do we need it?

Six Ways Pray is Powerful and Effective:

● Prayer allows for confession

● Builds Unity

● Assists in Evangelism

● Encourages us

● When we pray for others it’s hard to stay upset with them.

We get to know each other by spending time with them and talking with them. The same is true in our relationship with Jesus, we get closer to Him by praying and seeking Him daily. We must pray and spend time with Jesus to keep our spirits healthy and alert to grow in and with Him.

As God’s sons and daughters, it’s our privilege to be a people of prayer and grow in relationship with Him! Our prayers make a difference, not only in our lives but in the lives of those around us!

S.

Fowler

( Inspired by a teaching series on prayer by team Summerlin, NLRC of Gold Beach Oregon.)