Why Is Prayer Necessary? (6)
IN our last series we did say that one question that is asked repeatedly is “Why is Prayer Necessary and why must a Christian pray?” We shall continue with our answers in this piece.
Prayer is necessary so that through us the will of God will be done on earth as it is in heaven. When we pray, we proclaim and assert the will of God on earth.
Prayer is necessary because through it we press into the will of God for our lives. Prayer brings us into a realization of what our true identity is as sons. At times, it takes time to discover the will of God for our lives. When we do, it takes perseverance in prayer to actualize His will. Satan does not want us to understand what the will of God is for us. But by prayer and persistence we press in to know His will.
Prayer is necessary because through it we embrace the power of God. God has chosen us to be partakers of His authority, power and glory. We access these blessings through prayer. We all need the power and wisdom of God to face the day-to-day challenges of the world. “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons” (Mark 3:13-15 NKJV).
James Hudson Taylor once said, “When we work, we work; but when we pray God works.” Prayer is necessary because of it is the raw material, which God needs to bring about the great harvest of souls on earth. “The moment he took the scroll, the Four Animals and Twentyfour Elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God’s holy people.” (Revelation 5:8 MSG). The tears and fervent prayers of God’s children help to activate and actualize the harvest.
The Bible commands us to resist the devil and he will flee from us. We resist the devil through our prayer. Through prayer, we obtain the power to resist the devil. We cannot resist the devil by our own strength but by the power of God working through us. God empowers us at the place of prayer. Prayer is necessary because it is the means by which we enjoy the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God with us today. When we have fellowship with Him in prayer He will empower us to have His gifts and fruits; and He will reveal to us what we do not know (John 16:12-15). When Elijah prayed fire came down from heaven in response to his prayer (1 Kgs. 18:36-39). Prayer brings down the fire of God from heaven. When we pray we contact the fire of God, which is necessary for service. Every Christian needs the fire of the Holy Spirit as an evidence of God’s hand upon his life. The disciples received the baptism of fire on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)
Prayer is therapeutic; it affords us the opportunity to unburden our hearts before an ever-listening God. God wants us to cast our anxieties on Him (Phil.4:6; 1 Peter 5:7). Jesus taught us the importance of prayer. Daily He communicated with His Father in prayer. As God’s children we cannot afford to do anything less (John 5:19,30).
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