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Each year, people gather across our nation, in over 60,000 local community events, to pray together for America. We are to watch by being aware of the snares of sin and of the Devil's schemes; we are to pray because it is God who has the power and He has made prayer the means by which we communicate with Him and receive His strength. We are told to always be praying and always giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness, grace and mercy. We are to pray for endurance and to be free from distractions. We watch out for sin and for the snares of the enemy. We also watch for the work of God, looking to see what He is doing, attentive to His call in our own lives, and giving Him praise. We pray because to do so is a gift from God and how we remain connected to Him. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" Colossians 4:2-6 (NKJV).
Jesus made communion with God the first priority in His life. His approach to prayer was intentional and disciplined. He often rose early and went to a quiet place where He could focus on His Father. The Father gives good gifts to those who ask Him. One of the 'good gifts' of prayer is that it changes us and what we ask for. Prayer that longs to know the Giver more than His generous gifts will move us to ask for what is best for us. Prayer strengthens us against temptation, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told His disciples to, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Matt 26:41). Even so, the disciples fell asleep. Yes, prayer can be hard work; it can even be a struggle. But it is also a sure way to withstand temptation. Prayer is powerful and effective; it has “great power as it is working”. Christ, who dwells in our hearts through faith, empowers us to live for Him as we commune with Him. We are revived from the inside out as we become increasingly confident in the effective outworking of our relationship with God. Prayer helps us receive and give forgiveness, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”.
When we humbly confess our failings before the Lord, He promises to forgive and cleanse us completely. Receiving such astounding, undeserved forgiveness frees us to do the same for others. Prayer keeps us thankful. Prayer is a way we can pause and praise God for every blessing He showers upon us. As we look back, we bless Him for His faithfulness. In our present, we praise Him for His salvation and loving-kindness. Looking ahead, we thank Him that one day He will present us “before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy. ” “Now to Him who is able to keep [a]you from stumbling, And to present you faultless; Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To [b]God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and [d]power, Both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 (NKJV).
Prayer is not a duty, but an invitation from our Father. Prayer is an invitation into fellowship with God through Jesus Christ, expressed in adoration, thanksgiving and intercession, through which we draw near to God and learn more of his will for our lives. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” Romans 8:26-28 (NKJV).
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