The more we talk with and listen to our Savior the better we get to know Him. It is Jesus who is our perfect example of how important prayer is. His disciples came to Him and asked Him to teach them how to pray (see Luke 11:1). They had watched Him go off alone to pray multiple times (see Matthew 14:23) and they had also seen and heard Him pray in their presence (see John 11:41-42). They witnessed the oneness of Jesus and the Father through watching Him pray. Therefore, if we want that same oneness, we need to be a people of prayer. Scripture tells us that God hears our prayers,that He receives our prayers, and that He will not despise our prayers (see Psalm 6:9; 66:20; 102:17). In fact, when we are striving to live righteous lives, God delights in our prayers (see Proverbs 15:8). As we pray and watch the Lord answer our prayers, our faith in Him grows more and more. God’s Word even encourages us to pray continually (see Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2). James 5:16 tells us that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” And did you know that it is God who initiates our prayers and that He uses His Spirit to pray for us at times (see Romans 8:26)? Pastor Adrian Rogers once said, “The prayer that reaches Heaven is the prayer that starts in Heaven.” Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone out of the blue or been awakened in the night with the feeling you needed to pray for someone? That was God initiating prayer in you. Therefore, don’t be anxious about the things of this life. Pray! Watch your faith in Him grow and watch your peace grow as well (see Philippians 4:6-7).
For more insights into the power of prayer, browse some of our other resources:
Prayer Reveals Your Priorities | Mighty Prayer | Five Prayers for Your Friends & Family | When Our Prayers Aren’t Answered
