Prayer is an essential part of the Christian’s daily life. It has been said that the Bible is how God communicates to mankind, and prayer is how mankind communicates with God. It is through prayer that we praise God, we let God know of our needs, we intercede to Him on behalf of our fellow man, and we petition Him through the mediation of His Son. God expects, and requires such communication on our part. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
The book of Revelation has an interesting description of heaven with a mention of the prayers of the saints, in Revelation 5:8. The description is of God’s throne, with the Almighty at the center of all creation. Paul describes the moment the Lamb (God’s Son) takes a scroll depicting the Father’s will for man. “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Truly our prayers are taken to the very presence of God and our petitions to Him are heard. As we contemplate our imperative to love one another, it is difficult to think of any better way to practice that love than praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ to the Heavenly Father.
The world may not know the significance of this action. Indeed some are so lacking in spiritual understanding to know the power of prayer. That is why secular politicians and pundits often ridicule the profession of prayers for others, claiming they do nothing. We know better. We know this for two reasons. First, God has promised us that prayer is effective. Second, we have seen that effectiveness in our own lives. While others may attribute it to chance, we know that God’s hand is over all. We know that God’s will is preeminent in creation, and God has shown us that our prayers make a difference in His will for us. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).
Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6 by sharing with them a model prayer. Read Matthew 6:9-13, where Jesus began by saying, “In this manner, therefore, pray:” Consider the components that are contained in this simple petition to God. First, praise to His hallowed name. Second, an acknowledgment that the disposition of every petition we make ultimately will be answered in accord with His will. Third, the petitions themselves, both physical and spiritual in nature. Requests for help for ourselves, and help (or intercessions) made for other’s as well. Fourth, a final acknowledgement of God’s preeminence in the world.
This model prayer is not given to us merely to recite by rote. It is to teach us to pray. It is simple. Sometimes our prayers are much more complex. But this is a good place to start. If you want a more personal example of Jesus’ prayers, look to John 17 where our Lord first prayed for Himself, then for His immediate followers, and finally for you and me.
The intercessions Jesus made for us in John 17 are an important part of prayer, and an example we must follow. This accomplishes so much for those who are the subject of our petitions. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” It is God’s desire that all be saved. This should be our desire as well. Praying for each other helps a great deal to accomplish this in our lives. Paul wrote that we are to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
Nothing is off limits in our prayers for ourselves and our intercessions for others. We pray for families, we pray for those caught in inopportune circumstances, we pray for those who are ill or injured, for those who are poor or oppressed, for those who are troubled or in mourning. We express thanksgiving for the blessings and providence of God. We pray when things seem bleakest, knowing full well the power of the Almighty and His care for all of us.
Introspection is needed here. Each of us need to examine our prayer life to determine whether there is room for improvement. For example, Paul wrote simply, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Is your prayer life what it needs to be? Are you sufficiently involved with others in your spiritual family to be effective in your intercessions on their behalf? Are you diligent and organized, ensuring that the spiritual needs of your brethren are lifted up to God?
It may be a simple prayer list, or it may be a resolve to pray to God at certain times a day. Daniel is a great example here. The king had written a law that prohibited his prayers to the Almighty. We are told, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (Daniel 6:10). Whatever it takes may we all be diligent in our prayers!
