12/12/07

The Benefits of Being Devoted to Prayer

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; -- Roman 12:10-12


Jesus loved to talk to His Father and often sought the opportunity to be alone with Him. At times, He would speak with God in front of large groups of people or ask a few of His close disciples to join Him in prayer. Because Jesus prayed frequently, He followed God's lead, joined in His work, and spoke the Father's words to the people around Him.

When we are serious about prayer, our intimacy with the Lord begins to grow. We come to know God better the more we listen and speak with Him, and as that happens, we start to view the world from a divine perspective. The things that matter to God will become our concerns as well, and our prayers will increasingly reflect His interests. Experiencing answered prayer will encourage us and grow our faith.

Over time, the discipline of prayer should begin to have a purifying effect upon us. The Holy Spirit works God's truth deep into our hearts as we allow regular study of Scripture to fuel our communion with Him. Consistent exposure to the Word will reveal personal areas of ungodliness, and the Spirit will give us power to change. What's more, we will learn to recognize where God wants us to become involved and how to invest our time, finances, and spiritual gifts in His work. Through prayer, we will also receive divine peace even when circumstances worsen or remain unchanged (Isaiah 26:3).

The benefits of prayer are many, but greatest of all is the joy derived from spending more time with the Lord.


[ Prayer for the Day ]

Father God, through prayer I am able to talk to You. It is my life line; please help me keep it always open that I may not be spiritually dead. Lord do not turn your face from me in my times of trouble, strength me when I lift my hands up to You. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

Isaiah 26:3-4
³ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
⁴ Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)