NINE REASONS TO PRAY

                 

                       NINE REASONS TO PRAY

REASONS TO PRAY. Our lives are busy and sometimes we forget to pray. Sometimes we may ask ourselves, “Why is prayer so necessary? Prayer is necessary because: 

1. Prayer is God's way for getting things, and the great secret of all lack in our experience, in our life and in our work is neglect of prayer. James brings this out very forcefully in James 4:2: "You lust, and don’t have. You kill, covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask." These words contain the secret of the poverty and powerlessness of the average Christian—neglect of prayer. 

2. Prayer occupied a very prominent place and played a very important part in the earthly life of our Lord. For example, in Mark 1:35 we read, "Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there." The day before had been a very busy and exciting one, but Jesus cut the hours of needed sleep so He could wake up early and give Himself to more sorely needed prayer. 

3. Praying is the most important part of the present ministry of our risen Lord. Christ's ministry did not end with His death. He entered the ministry of intercession and we can all have a part in it. The man or the woman who is shut away by sickness can have part in it; the busy parent; the hard driven corporate employee can have part in it, praying as he hurries from duty to duty. But of course we must, if we would maintain this spirit of constant prayer, take time—and take plenty of it — when we shall shut ourselves up in the secret place alone with God for nothing but prayer.

4. Prayer is the means that God has appointed for our receiving mercy and obtaining grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 is one of the simplest and sweetest verses in the Bible,—"Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need." These words make it very plain that God has appointed prayer as a way to seek and obtain mercy and grace. 

5. Prayer in the name of Jesus Christ is the way Jesus Christ Himself has appointed for His disciples to obtain fullness of joy. He states this simply and beautifully in John 16:24, "Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full." Who is there that doesn’t want his joy to be the fullest possible joy? Well, the way to have the fullest is by praying in the name of Jesus. We all know people whose joy is filled full, indeed, it is just running over, is shining from their eyes, bubbling out of their very lips, and running off their finger tips when they shake hands with you. Now people of that sort are always people that spend much time in prayer. Do you take enough time for prayer to actually get into God's presence? Do you really give yourself up to prayer in the time that you do take?

 6. Prayer is God’s way for getting freedom from anxiety and the peace of God. This peace goes beyond all understanding. Paul says, "In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7.) This verse tells us how the life is attainable by every child of God: Do not worry about anything. The rest of the verse tells us how, and it is very simple: Pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. What could be plainer or simpler than that? Some of us let the hurry of our lives crowd prayer out, and what a waste of time and energy there is by the constant worry! Time spent in prayer is not wasted, but is well invested. 

7. Prayer is the method that God Himself has appointed for our obtaining the Holy Spirit. The Bible makes this point very clear. Jesus says, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" (Luke 11:13.) 

8. Prayer is the Christ’s way to overcome the cares of this life, and so the day of Christ's return won’t sneak up on us. One of the most interesting and solemn passages upon prayer in the Bible is (Luke 21:34-36.) "So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man." According to this passage there is only one way in which we can be prepared for the coming of the Lord when He appears, that is, through much prayer. 

9. Because of what prayer accomplishes. Much has really been said upon that already, but there is much that should be added. It is through prayer that my sin is brought to light, my most hidden sin. As I kneel before God and pray, "Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." (Psalm 139:23-24), God shoots the penetrating rays of His light into the innermost recesses of my heart, and the sins I never suspected are brought to view.