It is such a joy for me to hear the grandkids pray. The thrill is both that they are learning to acknowledge God’s presence and power, and that they are establishing this vital habit in their lives. To hear them pray communicates that the next generation is embracing the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and laying a foundation of truth for the rest of their lives. I sense in our present world that God is calling all of us to a deeper life of prayer. As we look around and see such need and trouble, we should look up and seek God.
Prayer is the will of God. The Bible says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). Prayer is to be with praise and thanksgiving. Prayer is to be continual. A life of prayer is pleasing to God.
Prayer is an expression of confidence. The Scriptures state, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Though humbled by the privilege to approach the throne of God, believers can come with boldness to make their requests and find strength to see them through. Sometimes we need mercy for our sins; sometimes we need grace to endure struggles; sometimes we need wisdom for decisions (James 1:5). We can pray with confidence knowing that God loves us, knows our need, and will provide according to His will.
Prayer is the path of peace. Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT). The secret to living with peace is to continue in conversation with God, both with thanks and requests. The Bible promises a peace which we cannot understand.
Prayer is the confession of need. Jesus taught His disciples what has been called, “The Lord’s Prayer.” The prayer teaches us to ask God to forgive our sins, provide our daily food, and deliver us from the devil. Prayer is the confession that God is the provider for everything I need. When we teach our children to pray, we are also teaching them an absolute dependence on God. He is the source of every blessing and the One who forgives sin. He is our protection from the evil one and our guide for life. A prayerless life basically confesses, “I don’t need God.” A life that continually prays is confessing, “There is not a moment that I don’t need God.”
May God help us to pray with faithfulness and fervency. We need God; our world needs God. Bend a knee; humble your heart; look up; and pray.