We need to pray the promises of God
MT 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
The ability to live for God is only a prayer away. The verbs are in the present tense, indicating continuous activity. Jesus' followers can keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking, indicating the importance of persistent, consistent prayer in their lives. Only through prayer can believers stay in contact with God, know what he wants them to do, and then have the strength to do God's will in all areas of life.
Why does God not answer our prayers immediately? Why do we need to ask, seek and knock?
1.) Prayer teaches us to communicate and fellowship with God
The purpose of prayer is to experience the presence and power of God in a personal manner
2.) Prayer teaches us patience and hope
We need to remember that our timetable is not always the same as God's. There are times when prayer teaches us to get in tune with God's timing and with His divine plan
3.) Prayer teaches us to love God
While we wit on the Lord, we are drawn closer to Him. We become more and more on an intimate level with Him. Then when the answer comes we are drawn even closer to Him.
4.) Prayer teaches us to depend on God
Prayer is an act of faith and the more often we pray, the more our faith is built. When we lift requests up to God, we a depending on Him to work and to do what He has promised. We depend on God being our strength, our shield, our supply and support.
When we claim the promises of God when we pray, we are calling on God to do what He has already said He will do
God has the answer to every problem that you and I will ever face in life. After all if He is God, shouldn't He have all the answers for this life? The reason that we wander aimless and clueless through life is because we lack the direction of God. We lack that direction because we fail to seek God and ask for it.
The advice of Jesus about prayer
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
1.) Get alone with God
There is an important shift that takes place in verse 6, the you becomes singular. this means that Jesus is talking about individual prayer. Does Jesus expect us to find an empty room and use that for prayer. No but the principle is being alone with God.
2.) Remember who is the focus
Being alone also helps to keep the motive pure for prayer. The purpose of prayer is to be focused upon God and to be with Him. Therefore, He is the focus of our prayer life.
3.) The gain of a godly reward
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
The reward of God's presence
Prayer bathes the soul in an atmosphere of the divine presence - Charles Finney
The Reward of God's provision
Prayer unlocks the storehouses of heaven. All that god is and all that God has is at the disposal of prayer
The reward of God's power
We are too busy to pray, and so are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results. - RA Torrey
The reward of God's peace
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Conclusion
Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."
Today in the Word, June 29, 1992.
When we fail to pray we rob ourselves of the blessings of God. When we fail to pray we loose His strength working in our lives. When we fail to pray we will simply fail at doing God's work.