Prayer is Important.

And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7-8 Amplified 

Say what you mean…in a few words. I love that God knows us so well that He knows what we need before we ask Him. Prayer is important. We need to pray often. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. Luke 5:16. Through Paul to the church at Thessalonica we’re taught… pray without ceasing…1 Thessalonians 5:17. In the Garden of Gethsemane just before His arrest, Jesus said to His disciples…"Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:46. Pray without ceasing…all the time, even when you are tired and want to sleep, but without meaningless repetition. OK. That is becoming more of a challenge. We don’t want to be like the followers of Baal—see 1 Kings 18:18-39—where Elijah confronted Ahab and the followers of Baal to follow the true God. Elijah teases the Baal worshipers that their god may be sleeping…call out in a loud voice to him. Our God never sleeps… Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalms 121:4

Prayer is important. There are thousands of books written on prayer. Whatever they say…prayer is still just communicating with God. With. That is the key. We don’t just talk…we have to listen. But let God know your heart, as He already does. He wants to hear it from you. Here are a few more encouraging verses on prayer:

Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. - Mark 11:24

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. - Luke 6:12

Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you….2 Thessalonians 3:1

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. 1 Timothy 2:8

…and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. Philemon 1:6  

RSVP: So Jesus is calling you…inviting you…to pray—without ceasing in meaningful prayer. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I’ve been feeling sick with a sore throat for several days. I’m asking You to touch and heal my throat. Thank You.

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; ... Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:13-14, 16.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.