“Prayer should always be our first response to every situation.”
Joyce Meyers
“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”
Oswald Chambers
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)
Prayer is the opportunity for people to spend time with God. It is a moment of solitude and gratitude. Prayer is an essential element of a believer’s life. Prayer draws people closer to God. God awaits those taking time to pray and seek Him. People may believe they don’t have the time to pray due to their busy schedule and vast responsibilities.
When believers consistently pray they are building a prayer life. As a believer, a prayer life is one of the most important commodities they must possess. A prayer life is consistently spending time praying for every situation and everything that pertains to a person’s life. Believers are not to pray only when you face the vicissitudes of life. Prayer is not an ATM (automated teller machine) in that you pray when you need God to do something – praying for God to release or remove the problem/situation so they can go back to life as they desire.
A prayer life has three benefits:
1. Builds an intimate relationship with God. It is in prayer that believers learn to sit quietly before God to hear his voice; to know God’s thoughts and will for them in a situation.
2. Builds a Transformative Life. It is the path to true transformation and regeneration. Through prayer people are changed by the power of God. As you consistently pray while facing a situation you obtain a new perspective and mindset regarding the situation.
3. Builds Faith. When believers take the time to pray they are fortifying the opportunity to grow in Christ and strengthen their faith. Prayer feeds faith in that it keeps people believing and trusting God in all situations. Prayer builds endurance despite the desire to quit, give up or throw in the towel.
Finally, a prayer life is needed for believers in Christ to experience victory in every situation and faith to overcome the mountains they will face. No prayer, no power!
