Dear Brethren,
The Apostle Paul prayed many beautiful and powerful prayers for his brothers and sisters in the Faith. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote the following words, which formed his heartfelt prayer for all the Saints. “That God may grant you to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” Eph. 3:16-17. In Col. 1:9 he records another example of a prayer warrior’s heart when he says, “For this reason since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” There are many more examples of scriptural prayers that we can pray for ourselves and for one another. Powerful, dynamic words from our Father that are truly His will for all His Saints. We should never lack words for our prayers, if we will but turn to the Holy Scriptures for His Words to direct our lives in His will. Can we say as Paul that we have not stopped praying? Praying for ourselves and praying for others with a fervent enduring passion.
Our Heavenly Father is looking for men and women with a heartfelt commitment to intercessory prayer. This kind of commitment requires an earnest effort, and an energetic approach to praying that dictates the setting aside of specific time to be spent coming boldly before the throne of grace into the presence of our Father with our prayers. We should follow the example of Epaphrus, who according to Col. 4:12 was always wrestling in prayer for other Christians that they would stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Epaphrus was a simple humble servant of Almighty God just like you and I. But he determined to make his life count for eternity by obeying with all his heart Col 4:2. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Prayer was the first thing on his list for the day. How about you? Is prayer the first thing on your list for the day? The last? Or is prayer somewhere in between if it ever happens much at all. The word devote used here doesn’t fully convey the complete meaning of the original Greek, which was giving constant attention to, or persevering.
We are commanded in Scriptures to make a conscious decision to set aside much time to talk with our Father in Heaven and to listen to Him as He works in our hearts by His Holy Spirit and His Word. The greatest privilege Our Father gives us is the freedom to approach Him at any time. Not only are we permitted, we are expected to meet with Him through prayer on a regular basis. Great power is available from God if we will but pray in faith, believing. Doctor R.A. Torrey built a message around James 4:2 many years ago, “You do not have because you do not ask. He said, “These words contain the secret of the poverty and powerlessness of the average Christian, the average minister and the average church.” “Many individuals and churches wonder why they have so little victory over sin. Why am I growing so slowly into the likeness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? And God answers….”Neglect of prayer. You have not because you ask not.”
Prayer has as much power today when men and women are themselves on praying ground and meeting the conditions of prevailing prayer, as it has ever had. God has not changed and His ear is just as quick to hear the voice of real prayer, and His hand is just as long and strong to save as they ever were. Ask God today to reveal his will for your life and the situation you are facing. Lift the level of your praying and He will show you great and mighty things you have never seen before!
Our God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory – IF WE WILL PRAY!
Matthew 21:22
*All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Mark 11:24-25
*Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
*And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any;
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
