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Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving... Colossians 4:2

The Importance of Prayer

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God..."  (Philippians 4:6)

Prayer in the Bible involves the dialogue between God and people, especially His covenant partners.

Old Testament Israel is a nation born of prayer, Abraham heard God's call (Genesis 12:1-3), and God heard the cries of the Hebrew children (Exodus 3:7). By prayer Joshua discerned sin in the conquest community (Joshua 7:6-9), but was tricked when he didn't discern God's opinion by prayer (Joshua 9). David's spiritual keeness is seen in his prayer of confession (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51). Solomon fulfilled the promises made to David after praying for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-9) and dedicated the Temple in prayer (1 Kings 8). God worked miracles through the prayers of Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 17:19-22; 18:20-40). The writing prophets noted that genuine pryer calls for accompanying moral and social accountability (Hosea 7:14; Amos 4:4-5). Isaiah's call reflected the intense cleansing and commitment involved in prayer (Isaiah 6) Jeremiah's dialogue and intercession frequently voiced reservation and frustration (Jeremiah 1; 20:7-18), teaching honesty in prayer. Psalm 86 provides an excellent pattern for prayer.

New Testament Jesus' example and teaching inspire prayer. Mark emphasized that Jesus prayed in crucial moments, including the disciples' appointment (Mark 3:13), their mission (Mark 6:30-32), and the transfiguration (Mark 9:2). Jesus displayed a regular and intense prayer life (Matthew 6:5; 14:23; Mark 1:35). Luke taught that Jesus was guided by the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22; 4:1;, 14, 18; Luke 10:21; Acts 10:38). John reported that Jesus sometimes prayed aloud for the benefit of those present (John 11:41-42). He also reported Jesus' prayer of intercession for the first disciples and future believers (John 17). Both prayers display Jesus' unity with the Father and desire to give Him glory (John 11:4; 17:1).

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) is taught to disciples who realize the Kingdom's inbreaking, yet await its full coming. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray after watching Him pray (Luke 11:1). Although it is permissible to repeat this prayer, it may be well to remember Jesus was emphasing how to pray, not what to pray.

Prayer is not to be offered to impress others. Jesus did not reject group prayer, but His warning might apply to a believer who prays to impress people (Matthew 6:5-6). Jesus also prohibited long-winded attempts that try to manipulate God. While Jesus prayed for long periods of time (Luke 6:12; Mark 1:35) and repeated Himself (Mark 14:36-42), He called for people to trust their Father and not their own eloquence or fervor.

Jesus' persistence in prayer is linked to the inbreaking kingdom (Luke 11:5-28; 18:1-8). God is not like the reluctant neighbor, even though Christians may have to wait for answers (Luke 11:13; 18:6-8).

The ironies of prayer are evident: God knows our needs, yet we must ask; He is ready to answer, yet we must patiently persist. Children of the Kingdom will have their requests heard (Matthew 6:8; 7:7-11; 21:22; John 14:13; 15:7,16; 16:23; compare 1 John 3:22; 5:14; James 1:5), particularly believers gathered in Jesus' name (Matthew 18:19).

The church remembered Jesus' teaching regarding the Spirit, prayer, and the Kingdom mission. The disciples prayed awaiting the Holy Spirit's outpouring (Acts 1:14). The early church is characterized by prayer (Acts 2:42). They prayed regauding selection of leaders (Acts 1:24; 6:6; 13:3), during persecution (Acts 4:24-30; 12:5,12), and in preparing to heal (Acts 9:40; 28:8).

Calling upon God's name ~ prayer ~ is the first act and true mark of a believer (Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; 22:16).

Paul's ministry reflected his constant prayer of intercession and thanksgiving (1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 1:16; 5:4; Acts 9:11). Prayer is crucial to continuing in the Christian life (Romans 12:12). The indwelling Spirit enables a believer to call God "Abba" (Romans 8:15), that is, the Spirit's work within the believer prompts him or her to address God with the confidence of a child (Romans 8:14). The Spirit must interceed because our prayers are weak; apart from the Spirit Christians pray with discernment. He takes up our petitions with an earnest pleading beyond words (Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 4:6). 

                  Answered Prayers ~ Unanswered Petitions

Job's demand for answers from God was eclipsed by the awesome privilege of encountering Him (Job 38-41). Modern believers must also cherish communion with the Father more than their petitions.

Jesus, with His soul sorrowful to the point of death, prayed three times that His cup of suffering might pass, but He was nevertheless submissive of God's will (Matthew 26:38-39,42,45). Both the boldness of the petition to alter God's will and the submission to this "hard" path of suffering are significant.

Paul asked three times for deliverance from his "thorn in the flesh." God's answer to Paul directed him to find comfort in God's sufficient grace. God also declared that His power is best seen in Paul's weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). God gave him the problem to hinder his pride. Ironically, Paul claimed that God gave the problem, and yet he called it a messenger of Satan. Paul learned that sometimes petitions are denied in light of an eventual greater good: God's power displayed in Paul's humility.

Faith is a condition for answered petitions (Mark 11:24). Two extremes must be avoided concerning faith. 1) With Jesus' example in mind we must not think that faith will always cause our wishes to be granted. 2) We must not go through the motions of prayer without faith. believers do not receive what they pray for because they pray from selfish motives (James 4:2-3). Prayers are also hindered by corrupted character (James 4:7) or injured relationships (Matthew 5:23-24).

Dialogue is what is essential to prayer. Prayer makes a difference in what happens (James 4:2). Our understanding of prayer will correspond to our understanding of God. When God is seen as desiring to bless (James 1:5) and sovereignly free to respond to persons (Jonah 3:9), then prayer will be seen as dialogue with God. God will respond when we faithfully pursue this dialogue. Prayer will lead to a greater communion with God and a greater understanding of His will.

The firat administrative decision made by the apostles was to "give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word" (Acts 6:4). This first example of local church prayer had dramatic results: The Word of God spread (Acts 6:7). When Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, He painted a picture of how God would bring His full authority and reign to earth when He said, "My house will be a house of prayer for all nations" (Mark 11:17).

Pray for a "grace of prayer" to fall upon you. Praise God for what He is bringing about, and ask Him to take you further.

As I have traveled, I am excited by what I see God doing in peoples lives. He is giving them a continually increasing hunger for prayer! He can do it in you and in your church, too.

It is no simple task to become a powerful house of prayer. Satan will fight every step of the way. Jesus spoke of "new wine" that could not be contained in "old wineskins." So break the traditional mold for prayer in your life and in the life of your church. Get "radical" and aim precisely at what our Lord has set before us. Strive to become a powerful house of prayer that brings God's people into alignment with His principles and spreads the thruth for His glory.

                                     FIVE FINGERED PRAYER

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The forth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)