PRAYER!

PRAYER!

Luke 18:1-8

18 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

          Prayer is founded upon a belief that there is a listening God who is inclined to answer! Unbelievers do not pray. Might it also be said that those who do not pray are unbelievers? Easton, in his Bible Dictionary says: “Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold intercourse with us, his personal control of all things and of all his creatures and all their actions.”

          There seems to be no rules laid down in Scripture for prayer. Prayer can be formal and public or personal and private. Prayers may be spoken aloud or contained only in the heart and mind. The whole life may be lived as a prayer as we see in Psalm 37:4 where we read: “Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

          Prayer works!  James 5:16 tells us “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” The word “effectual” is from the Greek word energeo which is the basis of our English word energy. We can conclude that prayer should be sincere, urgent and energetic. The Jerusalem church prayed and God sent an angel to free Peter from prison (see Acts 12).

          God always gives us what is best even when He says NO! Someone has said: "Prayer is like the dove that Noah sent forth, which blessed him not only when it returned with an olive-leaf in its mouth, but when it never returned at all."

Phil 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Dear Lord, let your ears be attentive to the prayers of Thy people. Let your eyes see their distresses. Let your mighty hand be their help. AMEN