When it comes to growing in our Christian faith, there can never be too much emphasis on growing in prayer. Prayer goes beyond just following a rudimentary routine for religious compliance. It is our way of communing with the Father through Jesus Christ and making ourselves near to Him at all times.
Many believers underestimate the power of prayer, thinking that it's no more than just a formality. If God is all knowing and graceful, then surely we don't really have to pray for protection, provision and His presence to receive them, do we? Well that would be true if God wanted us to be spineless brats (is that too harsh?!), but I don't think that's the case.
Because God wants us to grow in our perseverance, faith and sensitivity to Him, He commands us and trains our spirits to build a strong healthy prayer muscle. God wants us to participate in the process, not just lounge around lazily and wait for blessings to fall into our lap. God takes prayer seriously because He takes faith-building seriously.
Jesus Himself unceasingly prayed and even paid the ultimate price of His own life to become the mediator between us and God so that we could come freely to Him in prayer. Here are ten verses that show that God means business when it comes to prayer.
Psalm 34:17. "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."
Jeremiah 29:12. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you."
Jeremiah 33:3. "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
Matthew 21:22. "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."
Luke 11:9. "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
John 15:7. "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
Romans 8:26. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
Philippians 4:6. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Ephesians 6:18. "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Colossians 4:2. "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
