“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)
Prayer is one of the most common practices in different religions. Some people believe that for a practice to be tagged prayer, one needs to take a specific prayer posture; it could be kneeling, bowing, or even closing one’s eyes. While there is nothing wrong with adopting these postures during prayer, prayer is not about physical postures.
Prayer is simply communion with God, our Father, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Our anchor scripture in 1 Corinthians 1: 9 categorically states that God has called us into fellowship with Jesus. To pray, therefore, is to communicate with God. As is with communication, it is a two-way street. We speak to God, and we listen to Him. This a mark of true communion with God.
Jesus promised His disciples the Holy Spirit, who will abide with them forever, guide them into all truth, and aid them in fellowship with God (John 16: 13). Prayer is a believer’s lifestyle. Whether long or short, loud or quite whispers, prayer is vital to a believer (Romans 8: 26-27). So, let us come humbly and boldly before our Father.
Both Jesus and Apostle Paul encourage us to pray always and without ceasing (Luke 18: 1, 1 Thessalonians 5: 17). Prayer is also the demonstration of our trust in God because when we pray, we give up control over our lives and align with God’s will. Prayer refocuses our attention on the one who truly matters.
Apostle Paul puts it this way in Philippians 4:6: ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.”
Prayer is a demonstration of our worship and adoration for God. Through prayer, we declare the glory of our God, praising Him for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do for us. We received the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ glorification (John 7: 39). It is interesting to note that expressing the gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in other tongues, is a potent way to declare the wonderful works of God and magnify Him (Acts 2: 11, Acts 10: 46).
God is with us always by His Holy Spirit. However, He desires constant fellowship and communication with us, where we listen to Him even as we speak. God wants us to draw near to Him (James 4:8).
As believers, our place is in fellowship with God. Through prayer, in faith, we know Christ more and get strengthened for the assignment before us.
So, dear believer, now that we know what prayer truly is, let us endeavour to pray without Ceasing
Bible Reading Plan: 1 Chronicles 17; Psalms 25, 29