1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1ti 2:2
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1ti 2:3 For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1ti 2:4 Who will have all men to
be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
I want to encourage
you to be constant in your prayer life, if you have been lax. I want to
encourage you to renew and get diligent about it.
We are told here in this
Scripture that prayer should be made first of all.
I want to share a few
Scriptures that I think will help us to see how important it is that we spend
time in prayer each and every day, especially as we see the end time drawing so
near.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
James tells here to pray one for another that we might be
healed.
In the 12th chapter of Acts we find Peter in prison and Herod
planning I believe to kill him. But in verse 5 of that chapter tells us that
the church made prayer without ceasing and God sent an angel and brought him
out.
In the 4th chapter of Acts we find that when the priests and leaders
came against the disciples and threatened them and commanded them not to speak
or teach in the name of Jesus they prayed. Verse 31 says:
Acts 4:31 And when
they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with
boldness.
Prayer brought boldness to witness.
David tells us in Psalm
34:4-7,
Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from
all my fears.
Ps 34:5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their
faces were not ashamed.
Ps 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and
saved him out of all his troubles.
Ps 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth
round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Prayer brings
deliverance.
Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his
courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Through prayer
we praise and glorify God.
Maybe today you are wanting a closer more
spiritual relationship with Jesus. Prayer is the way.
In Luke 11:13, Jesus
said, Your heavenly Father would give the Holy Ghost to them that ask Him.
In
Acts 1:14 we find that when they entered into that upper room they were in one
accord in prayer and supplication.
Prayer brings a more Spirit-filled life.
We have only scratched the surface here of how important your prayer life
is. Prayer is the way to that close personal walk, that personal relationship
with Jesus, that trust and confidence that we can have in Him. Prayer changes
things.
We see in the Bible many times where when men prayed and earnestly
sought God even the course of nature was changed.
Elijah prayed and it did
not rain for 3 1/2 years. He prayed and it rained again.
Joshua prayed and the
sun stood still. He prayed and the walls of Jericho fell down.
Daniel prayed
and the lions mouth was shut.
Paul and Silas praised God and prayed and an
earthquake shook that prison and everyone was loosed.
We see in the Scripture
where many times Jesus went out alone and prayed. Jesus spoke in Luke 18:1.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought
always to pray, and not to faint.
So we see that through prayer we receive:
The Holy Spirit
Healing
Deliverance
Strength & boldness
Power for ministry
We see that prayer changes things.
Get the Bible
out and see for yourself how important your spiritual weapon of prayer is.
When the city of Ninevah prayed, fasted, and repented they were saved from
destruction.
In Ephesians chapter 6 Paul had told the Ephesians to put on the
whole armor of God. After listing the pieces of armor he said in verse 18,
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.



PRAYER