by: Russell McLaughlin

Strength Through Prayer

            Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

            Numerous statements of the Bible alert God’s people to the importance and benefits of regular, earnest, genuine prayer.  David’s words have a remarkable ring we cannot soon forget: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17) 

            One indication of the strength of Daniel was his resolve to continue in prayer even when the deceitful ploy of his enemies had influenced Darius, the King, to forbid such practice. In spite of this prohibition, therefore, we read: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10)

            Of Jesus we read: “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”  (Mark 1:35) Paul instructs us to, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is a priority!

            Prayer, whether in our public worship services or the private communion we have alone with God, develops from the love, reverence, and trust we have in God as we give thanks, offer petitions, confess sins, or intercede for others or ourselves. Prayer is powerful (James 5:15-18).

              The church needs prayer warriors.  May we reflect on Paul’s words, after discussing our spiritual armor, about prayer in Ephesians 6:18-20, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” Let’s remember to have an active prayer life as we follow Jesus.