Is There Any Real Value in Praying Everyday?
The struggle to pray every day is a reality for some, if not many. Some consider it a chore, or even a fruitless exercise. Do you ever struggle with having to pray daily?
But for the Christian, prayer does a lot. It anchors our perspective and keeps us humble. When we are in God's presence in prayer, it reminds us who welcomes us in His presence: our great God Himself. We are awed and led to worship. It reminds us of how we got that privileged access: Jesus bought it for us. It keeps us grateful and honoured for the privilege. It brings us back to see who we really are: sinful yet forgiven, and now privileged to be God's beloved children. This keeps us humble and grateful.
Prayer will only seem like a chore when we forget in whose presence we stand, and if we do not know that we are welcome. The sacrifice it took for us to be granted this access tells us that we do not take it for granted. This is why it is important that even in praying, just as any form of worship, we do so in spirit and in truth. When we pray, we need to anchor ourselves in the truths of who God is and in His promises.
Not only does prayer keep us humble as we pray, but after praying, when we go out into the world, prayer reminds us that our confidence is in the Lord. That helps us function appropriately in the world, keeping us from pride as we continually rely on the Lord.
Read Ephesians 2:1-18. What are some implications of this passage on prayer? How does it encourage you to pray?
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Secondly, daily prayer keeps us from temptation. Praying daily reminds us that we are accountable to the God we daily report to -- reminding us Whose we are, Whose bidding we follow, and Whose standards we keep. Aside from our gratitude to Christ for His sacrifice for us, and the knowledge that nothing is hidden from the Lord, seeking an audience with a righteous God daily ought to encourage us to keep living a righteous life before Him. And when we do fail, by the mercy we have found in Jesus, it is in prayer and repentance that we are enabled to once again keep walking with God.
In addition to special times of prayer when He would hide from the crowds and go to a solitary place, Jesus was observed to burst into prayer even throughout His day and as He ministered among people. If prayer becomes for us an ongoing conversation with God, then we learn how it is to live our lives before Him moment-by-moment.
If you have not done so lately, practice prayer as an ongoing conversation with God throughout your day, beginning today. Then answer this question: how does being in an ongoing conversation with God impact your day?
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Finally, when we pray, it reminds us of the power that there is in God. Prayer is powerful because we do not come before a limited God, but before One whose wisdom and power and resources at His disposal are infinite. When we pray in faith (Mk. 11:22-24), in accordance to His will (1 Jn. 5:14) and in the name of Christ (Jn. 16:23), God's Word says He promises that He hears us. Thus, when we pray, we do so with faith and confidence in our God.
Pause for a while and take this time to pray according to the truth of God, in gratitude, humility, and faith.
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To be welcomed as a child approaching his heavenly Father -?the righteous, loving and majestic Creator of this universe and of our lives -?in order to engage Him in daily conversation, to get to know Him and observe His ways, and to bring our concerns and requests to Him in His throne room is a privilege like no other. So why wouldn't we come to Him? Why would we not delight in prayer?
"O You who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come... Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation"(Psalms 65:2,4a, 5a)
Let's pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for granting us access into Your presence through Your Son Jesus, and for welcoming us as Your children. Help us never to lose sight of the privilege that is prayer. Instead, allow our daily conversations to build our intimacy with You and to help us live for You while we are in this world. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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