Prayer is one of the most vital elements of my faith and everyday life. It must be for believers in Jesus Christ. There is not enough emphasis on prayer in the church today. It seems the true power of prayer has been forgotten, as our immediate needs and desires are covered with all the 'instant' or 'on-the-go' products and lifestyle, especially prevalent in the West. It seems because our wants and needs are so immediately filled, we don't feel a need to 'bother' GOD about whatever is left to ask for. How arrogant we are, that we think we can do it on our own... a lie so easily believed, unfortunately.
Prayer is learned habit, and also we must learn how to pray, Jesus Himself gives us instructions.Matthew 6:6;9-13.
"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but you also can say to this mountain,'go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:21-22 italics mine. (also see Mark 11:22-25)
'Do not doubt'... that is a tall order. How many times do we hesitate because we doubt, how many times could we have done great good in His name if we had but believed.
Prayer, true persevering, interceding prayer is difficult. It is a battle sometimes for someone, or a place. When you pray, you may be going against the Enemy and he has dominion of this earth.
Praying is like swimming laps...at first you may go quickly, but on tiring you slow down. The longer you swim the longer your muscles have to stretch and pull, the longer you have to concentrate on you breathing, and the longer you must stay in your lane, going straight. I know for me, if I'm swimming when the temperature of the water changes from warm to cold, it's like a hitting a wall. I have to push, and concentrate, knowing that if I keep swimming I will reach the end.
The same with prayer, sometimes you have to pray until you get the answer or something changes. You have to pray in faith and know you are praying in the power of Jesus Christ, who Himself intercedes on our behalf.
The Holy Spirit reveals to us what we must pray for or what words to use; there are times where I've spoken but cannot recall the words, because they weren't mine.
I am still learning how to pray. If you haven't swam laps, even after a few weeks, you have to work up to the rate and strength you had before. With prayer we must constantly be using it, if we don't we will fall out of practice, and begin to lose strength. Prayer is so important, it brings us to a deeper intimacy with the LORD, He reveals Himself through prayer and His Word; so it naturally follows that we must read and pray, daily, to know Him better.
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18
