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THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER
How important is it to pray for yourself, others, and your enemies? Matthew 25:41 says, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness - Matthew 4:1-11, yet he remained obedient to God. You cannot stop Satan from tempting you, but you can stop him from using you, as you stay in the Word and prayer. Sometimes you may feel that what you are facing is too much. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was feeling pressed, but He prayed, “Father if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will but Yours, be done.” Jesus was human as well as divine, and needed every resource available to Him in order to resist Satan.
James 5:16 says, “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.” We pray because we want to see each other’s need met, whether it is healing, financial supply, or wisdom, we all stand in need of prayer.
Matthew 5:43-48 says, “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust…” This requires such an “unnatural” response that obeying it proves who belongs to God.
Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to get alone with His Father. He felt His prayer life was something He could not do without. His prayer life was indispensable to His life and ministry. He never sacrificed this discipline in order to meet the never-ending demands of ministry, and it resulted in extraordinary power. Day in and day out He was meeting the needs of the people. But it was spending time alone with God that prepared Him for whatever the day had in store for Him.
If Jesus needed times of solitude and prayer, how much more do His followers! Remember, in these times of solitude and prayer you will find a place of rest and peace. You will find strength to go on, be refreshed and prepared for whatever lies ahead.
Nothing is too hard for God. Luke 18:1 tells us “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” Never give up!
Heavenly Father help me to pray as you have commanded me to do, In Jesus Name, Amen.
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