Establishing Foundations: Prayer

The area of prayer is a foundational area of every believer's life that needs to be fully understood. The early church was birthed and experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit while in prayer. (Acts 1-2) Those called into ministry were selected by the Holy Spirit and released during prayer. (Acts 13:2-3) The patriarchs in the Old Testament had nights of prayer and crying out to God. Prayer is not something we have to do, but it is a privilege that is given to every believer. Prayer is communicating with God. It is dialogue. This means two people are having conversation, God and you. You may talk, make requests, etc., but then we need to take time to listen to what He would say to us.

Many miss this important side of the conversation and prayer becomes boring, a duty, or for only making requests. How interesting would life be if we spoke to someone and never listened to them speak back to us? We would lose interest in being with that person, as we gain nothing by our so-called conversation. We see that even Jesus spent time in prayer with the Father. Each time after prayer, He performed miracles, went to new areas, or taught new truths. If Jesus, being the Son of God, needed prayer, then we need to follow the example He has given. Jesus' prayer life did not stop at His death, but now He makes intercession (or prayer) for us. (Heb. 7:25)

In the Bible, we see a pattern of rising early in the morning to pray. Why? To get direction for the day, to see God move during the day, and to become conscious of a God who has our best interest in store. Nothing moves unless men pray. Revival only comes after prayers have ascended. The prayers of a righteous man avail much. (James 5:16) Paul speaks of laboring night and day in prayer for the saints. Historians say that Peter's knees were callused "like a camel's knees" because of the time he spent in prayer. Even today, Jesus demanded His house to be a house of prayer. (Matt. 21:12) This house that He is speaking of in not so much the church house, but each of us as a temple of God, are houses of prayer.

Why does it seem like our prayer is not being answered? Many times, the things we ask for take time to unfold especially when God is dealing with people's lifestyles. Sometimes we ask amiss not knowing the will of God. (James 4:3) Many times we do not truly believe we will receive what we ask. (Mark 11:24) Or perhaps we are wavering or changing our mind in what we are asking for. (James 1:6-8) Prayer is precious to God. Did you know your prayers are in vials in heaven? (Rev. 5:8) Did you know that those prayers are mixed with incense on the altar of heaven? (Rev. 8:3) and will one day be cast to the earth in one final answering of every prayer ever prayed? (Rev. 8:5) Let us take the privilege of being a people of prayer and take advantage to touch heaven, and change earth, by our individual actions of talking with the Father.