That's Why We Pray.

We don't know if M.C. Hammer was ever right about anything else, but he was right when he wrote this lyric, "You got to pray just to make it today."

All of us need to pray. It's a necessary part of a Christian's spiritual relationship with God.

Praying is like voting. Americans died so we could have the right to vote and right to pray. Before them, Jesus died to reconcile us to the Father giving us the right to pray. Knowing the great cost of this freedom, it should never be wasted. Over and over in the New Testament we are encouraged to pray and to keep praying. But how do you pray like Paul suggests?

"..pray without ceasing," 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Well, if prayer is a ritual then 'praying without ceasing' is impossible. When would you work or eat? But if prayer is a communication relationship, a fellowship where God is considered and included, that kind of praying can go on constantly. It's in this kind of relationship that spiritual power is realized and we find ourselves sharing the One mind. In this relationship that we have the ability to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. If we want God to empower us and direct us we have to stay connected to Him.

No connection means no fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, et al.), no power, no liberty; "That's why we pray! Oh yes we pray! You got to pray just to make it today."

So we pray without ceasing.

When Jesus walked on the earth 2000 years ago He had more power than any man and He still made time to pray. He teaches us that power and prayer are related.

"And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray." (Matthew 14:23)

We see Jesus withdraw to the mountain to pray. "Hey, has anyone seen Peter? He was around here a minute ago."

"The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray," (Acts 10:9)

If we put Paul together with Jesus and Peter then, we can 'pray without ceasing' pretty much anywhere. Okay so now you know when and where you can pray, let's look at verse that will help us with what to pray.

"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." (Romans 8:26)

You may want to pray about this verse from time to time because is discloses a major bonus about how God is nurturing us.

Here a few verses from Paul to give us an idea of some of the issues he was praying for. Pay particular attention to how many times Paul is praying for something practical and specific.

"Now I pray to God that you do no evil," (2 Corinthians 13:7)

"And this also we pray, that you may be made complete." (2 Corinthians 13:9b)

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense.." (Philippians 1:9-10)

"we.. do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." (Colossians 1:9-12)

"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith." (1 Timothy 2:8)

Jesus prays for many things including, as we see below, belief.

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 17:20-21)

 

Prayer is self-defense.

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)

The results of pray God's will are real.

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—" (John 14:16)

Here's the rest of the verse we began with at the top of the page.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

 

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