How important is prayer?
I dont know about you, but even before I knew the truth I would occasionally shoot a little prayer up every once in a while if I needed a little extra "what i used to refer to as luck".
I know I never had a full understanding of what praying or prayer meant truly then and maybe you don't either. Lets take a look at what scripture says on this topic.
When it speaks of certain people in the bible 'walking with God', it means constantly in prayer and loyal with God. Noah walked with God, Enoch walked with God, Jesus prayed regularly and Daniel prayed 3 times a day. In the story of Daniel, it was unacceptable and punishable by death to pray to the one true God and all worship was to be given to the King. Even though Daniel is fully aware of the reprecussions he held true to God as seen in Daniel 6:10 "Now when Daniel knew that the writng was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Jesus himself prayed to give thanks John 11:41 "Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me"
As always God would never force us to give thanks through prayer just as he wont force us to do anything; but when you truly realize the gift he has given us, how could you not want to Thank him? ;)
Something important to note was that Jesus himself prayed all night before he chose his disciples. If Jesus spent the entire evening in prayer with God before making his final decisions as to who his chosen disciples would be....wouldn't it say that Jesus obviously thought it was extremely important?
Jesus shows us that prayer can be done in any position but Jesus also knelt in prayer Luke 22:41 "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast and kneeled down, and prayed."
Jesus taught to even pray for your enemies Mark 11:25 "And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Praying for your enemies means you actually understand Jesus's message of love, peace and FORGIVENESS for all. Practice empathy and compassion for others and empathy and compassion will be given to you. Practice forgiveness and the Lord will forgive you for your transgressions.
Intensity of prayer is seen in Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Jesus prayed for others Luke 22:32 "And the Lord said 'Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fall not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." God definitely hears our prayers for others and loves that we pray for one another.
Jesus tells us that group prayer is very powerful Matthew 18:19-20"Again I say unto you , That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.For when two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" People gathering in his name is extremely powerful and should not be discarded as anything less.
And it does make a connection of prayer and fasting as well. Acts 13:3 "And when they fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away" Fasting is not expected everyday but it is expected. A special Holy day is set aside for a specific fast in the Day of Atonement.
Remember as well Prayer is only to be made to God or Jesus. Anything else is idolatry.
We need to remember the biblical stories and to keep in mind that Daniel was saved by an angel in exchange for his loyalty and dedication. Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego all stood true to God as well and were again spared a fatal demise for their loyalty as seen in Daniel Chapter 3.
Sadly most of us don't realize how important prayer is in a relationship with God. I know I had no real concept. But when you stop a moment to think about it, it makes perfect sense. How can you build a relationship with someone you dont take the time to know?? If our biblical brothers and sisters and Jesus did these things in prayer and HE is our example.... then it becomes more apparent that prayer is a VERY necessary and extremely important step in working toward a relationship with God.... don't you think?
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