What If We Prayed Like This?
What if we prayed as much as the Scriptures tell us to? I think our lives would be bathed in righteous, God filled, expectant anticipation.
Listen to some of these Scripture challenges on living a life of prayer:
1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time ... I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer ...
Philippians 4:6: Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Ephesians 6:17-20: Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
2 Corinthians 1:11: You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Colossians 1:3: We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
James 5:16: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without ceasing.
2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Without prayer and the the Word of God and the community of God's people we go about miserable, because therein is our relationship with God Himself. When we forget the relationship with the God of our Christianity, all we are left with is a bunch of difficult and tedious rules.
We should start all things with prayer, end with prayer and prayer should be our lifeline throughout. The whole life of a Christian should be a life of prayer.
