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Christian thought
to ponder…. Does prayer connect us to God?
By praying to God, we come before Him and lay our souls bare before Him. We call upon His name and seek supplication and intercession for others and ourselves. It is a time when we can give thanks and praise for the blessings, He has given us and the things He has done in our lives and in the lives of others. Prayer helps build up our faith in Him; it is a time to confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness, wisdom, guidance, and counsel.
We are urged to pray at all times in Ephesians 6:18 and to “pray continually” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. When we refuse to pray or to pray for others, especially if it is because we do not agree with someone’s lifestyle, beliefs, or past sins, we are demonstrating a heart filled with pride and disobedience. Prayerlessness shows a mindset that we can do things on our own, and we do not need God’s help to win our battles. Prayerfulness, on the other hand, acknowledges our need for God, that we are dependent upon His grace, wisdom, and strength to win the battles in our lives.
Now more than ever, we need to pray for the people and leaders in our nation. Now is the time to step up and fervently pray for those who do not know Jesus that they may come to know him and be saved. Pray for our enemies who would mock us, do great harm to us, and yes, even kill us. Pray for all of those who have lost loved ones for speaking the Truth.
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” — Matthew 5:44
Our nation is in dire need of prayer as school shootings and other mass shootings are becoming the norm, such as the assassination of Turning Point USA Cofounder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University and the assassination of Minnesota Democrat State Representative Melissa Hortman and her spouse. Violence, immoral and corrupt behavior, and actions are spreading like a disease in this nation. Our nation needs Jesus, and our country needs our prayers.
There is a spiritual battle going on, and our nation is under attack and influenced by dark spiritual demonic forces. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggles are against physical forces and dark spiritual forces.
"our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness"
Paul is warning us that it is not just political leaders or military establishments that are controlling and shaping nations, but also evil spiritual forces. These demonic powers are using human vessels to help the enemy carry out Satan’s agenda. These human vessels are twisting and distorting God’s truth. They are pushing an evil agenda that is full of false truths and propaganda. They are actively opposing God, God’s will and plan, and God’s people. Prayer is our indispensable weapon to fight this evil.
Jen Psaki, former
Whitehouse Press Secretary during President Biden’s term, downplayed the act of
prayer in response to the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in
Minnesota. The children were praying when a trans shooter shot through a window
at them and injured seventeen and killed two children during mass. Psaki wrote
on X:
"Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does not end school shootings. Prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. Prayer does not bring these kids back. Enough with the thoughts and prayers."
It is obvious from Psaki’s statement that she does not believe in the power of prayer. Prayers throughout Scripture have shown that God hears our prayers and does answer them. Prayer has helped interpret dreams, saved the Israelites from genocide, given barren women children, provided revelation, destroyed enemies, driven evil spirits out, healed people, revived people who were dead, comforted people, and redeemed people. The list goes on and on in how God has answered prayers throughout the Bible. The outcome of those prayers may not be what people expected, but it fulfilled God’s purposes, His will, and His timing.
There are many examples throughout Scripture demonstrating how prayer can connect us to God. The following are six scriptural examples to follow.
Jesus was our model for prayer. He consistently went to the Father in prayer. Praying for the Father’s will and not his own. Prayer teaches us to trust His will and His timing.
“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” — Luke 22:42
Prayer is the way we connect and draw near to God. Prayer is a time we can pour out our hearts to God.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” — James
4:8
Prayer shows our dependence on God to help us through the storms that come into our lives.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
Prayer gives us
peace, strength, and comfort in our darkest hours of need.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” — Philippians 4:6
Prayer reminds us that we cannot live by our own strength and wisdom we need God’s guidance, provision, and wisdom.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” — James 1:5
Prayer is powerful and effective. Miracles can occur when we seek God in prayer. King Hezekiah prayed to God asking God for deliverance from the Assyrians and God answered his prayer and the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp.
“That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! “ — 2 Kings 19:35
O, Lord God!
You alone are the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. Teach us to pray in a way that is pleasing to You and will help us to connect with You. Teach us to be patient in our prayers and to learn to wait patiently, quietly, and trustingly for Your perfect timing. We lift up those souls who are lost and are suffering in this world, remove Satan’s blinding influence upon them and help them to embrace the Truth and believe in You.
In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.
