Prayer, A Command and Privilege

Daniel set aside time, three times each day, to talk to God and God blessed Daniel's faithfulness. Every Christian should be like Daniel and make a habit of praying several times each day.

• Pray in the morning for guidance and wisdom for the new day.

• Pray at noon to think God for His blessings and necessities of the day.

• Pray at night for forgiveness and protection through the night.

The apostle James said, "You do not have, because you do not ask God" (James 4:2). To live without prayer, is to live without His power. What a tragedy!

Pray not only for yourself but pray also for others. Abraham prayed for his relative, Lot. Also, he prayed for his child "And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!" (Genesis 17:18). Paul prayed for the churches at Ephesus and Philippi. Pray not for a life free from trouble, but for triumph over trouble.

The Holy Spirit takes our inadequate prayers, breathes into them the Father's will, and turns them into meaningful request. "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" (Romans 8:26).

In Luke 18:1 Jesus "...spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" Paul said to "pray continually" (I Thess. 5:17). Prayer is not only a command but one of the most astonishing privileges of every Christian. We can go directly to God and know that He will hear us. Hebrews 4:16 says "therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace," because Jesus Christ made the way open for us who are covered by His blood.

The Psalmist writes in Psalms 66:20 "Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me". Mercy is compassion to someone who does not deserve it. God is truly merciful to allow every individual Christian to come before His presence. This is a privilege that only a Christian can profess for God does not hear the words of the unbeliever. "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth" (John 9:31).

Let us be thankful for the opportunity we have to come before such a merciful and loving God. Let us use this privilege that is given to us. "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live" (Psalms 116:2).

"What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!"

Jesus and Prayer

Prayer, The Pathway To Victory

A Call To Prayer

Prayer, And The Hindrances