Why Pray?
Pray — or become a prey to fears, insecurities and worries
Read Luke 18:1-8
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” (Luke 18:1).
In the Christian life there is no way we can grow if we ignore or hold back on the practice of prayer. To gain a deeper knowledge of God we need to talk to Him daily and for more than just a few minutes. Many people who were born into a Christian family are still in the kindergarten when it comes to the matter of prayers.
Some pray only when they need something; some pray when they simply feel like it. An appropriate prayer life must be built on a pattern that is not restrictive and is observed with honest constancy. Jesus teaches in Luke 18:1-8 that when we fail to pray then faintheartedness will soon follow.
We either pray or become a prey to spiritual weakness and a pawn in the hands of Satan — a hostage being used as spiritual pawn of the devil (1 Pet 5:8, 9) who would torment us with fears, insecurities and worries. Read Jonah 2:1-10 — Jonah changed from being a prey when he prayed.
Read Matt 26:36-41
“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘what! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42: Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done,” (Mat 26:40,41).
Jesus used Peter’s drowsiness to warn him about the kinds of temptation he would soon face. The way to overcome temptation is to keep watch and pray. Watching means being aware of the possibilities of temptation, sensitive to the subtleties, and spiritually equipped to fight it. Because temptation strikes where we are most vulnerable, we can’t resist it alone. Prayer is essential because God’s strength can shore up our defenses and defeat Satan’s power.
The scriptures urge believers to continue faithfully in prayer (Rom 12:12), pray always (Luke 18:1), pray continually (1Thes 5:17), pray everywhere (1Tim 2:8), pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers (Eph 6:18), persevere in prayer (Col 4:2) and pray powerfully (Jas 5:16). These exhortations indicate there can be no real kingdom power in our battle against sin, Satan and the world, or victory in our attempt to win the lost, without much daily prayer.
• Email:mercyolumide2004@yahoo.co.uk. www.thebiblicalwomanhood.com. Mobile: +234 803 344 6614; +234 808 123 7987.
