Why Do We Pray?

Hey guys! Welcome to 2019!

I've been a little distant from the blog over the last month or so but wanted to soak in all the time I could enjoying our friends and family over the holiday season, as I hope you got to do as well.

Here in small-town Virginia, our church services for today were cancelled due to bad weather. Our pastor (who just happens to be my father-in-law) sent out a devotion this morning about why we pray. His knowledge of God's word never ceases to amaze me and I'm thankful that I have a pastor that truly preaches Truth. I just thought what better way to kick off this new year than with a devotion on something we all need to think about and an important part of the Christian walk. I hope you'll take the time to read and study these words: 

"Why do I pray?  I know I should!  I know that I can!  I know that the Lord has given me the privilege.. but why do I really pray? This is a question we all have asked in some reference and at some time in our Christian lives.  Let's use the Word of God this morning and answer these questions with a 3-fold answer.

 

Why do I pray to My Heavenly Father?

I.  Because of the COMMAND I have.

      A.  Luke 18:1 says this "Men ought always to pray and not to faint."  The word "ought" is written in such a way as to remind us that it is our initiative to take this command and follow the Lord's counsel.  This verse is given at the close of the Lord's reminding the disciples that the promised coming kingdom would not come due to the nations' rejection of Him and His offer of righteousness.  Just because the nation of Israel would not respond didn't mean those who

had received Him couldn't approach Him in prayer.  PT:  the majority may reject Him; but He always responds to the remnant that will come to Him!  Let's follow His command this morning and meet with our Father!

      B.  1 Thess. 5:17 says this "Pray without ceasing."  This also is written to an entire congregation to pray together as a church family.  The word "ceasing" was used in the first century world in that day to describe a constant, hacking cough.  As soon as you think you have satisfied your cough, you have to cough again.  When we pray, we often spend time praying and then as soon as we have finished, we remember something else to talk to the Lord about!  May we remember He's never too busy to listen to us!

      C.  Matthew 26:41 says this "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:  the spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak."  Christ reminds us this morning that prayer has a protective aspect about it...a prayer life that is consistent serves as a battalion for our minds even when our flesh is weak.  May the Lord give us victory over the flesh this morning!

II.  Because of the COMBAT I'm in.

     A.  Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us three (3) things we MUST keep in mind every day as we live for Him.

          1.  Know your Enemy!  (Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil).

               1 Peter 5:8 gives us three names for our archenemy

                          "....your adversary."  This is Satan's physical stance against you.

                          "....the devil."  This is Satan's literal speech against you.  He is your/my accuser!

                          "....as a roaring lion."  This is Satan's powerful strength against you!

          2.  Know your Engagement!  I must pray because...

                          I have got to be able to stand against his "wiles" or literally his methods.

                          I have got to be able to "wrestle" that is be able to "handle" the spiritual combat.

                          I have got to be able to quench his fiery darts.  This is done by faith in the Lord!

          3.  Know your Equipment!  The Lord has given you/me everything we need for the battle!

                          Loins of Truth - this is first because that's exactly what Satan attacked first in the garden of Eden!

                          Breastplate of Righteousness - this is positional and practical righteous living!

                          Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel - when we are actively sharing the Gospel, we are fortifying our faith!

                          Shield of Faith - the life of faith isn't easy...but it is necessary to stand in the combat.  Our faith is in the Lord...not in ourselves!

                          Helmet of Salvation - our minds must be constantly renewed that we are God's people!  He saved us by His matchless grace!  We don't belong to this world anymore!

                          Sword of the Spirit - this is the inspired Word of God - we can't battle if we don't have the Bible in our hearts!

                          Praying with Prayer - with supplication, watching with perseverance - let's don't quit!

III.  Because of His COMING I believe!  I know He's coming again!  There is a future beyond this world we live.....

                          1 Thessalonians has 5 chapters.  Each chapter has a reference or at least a spiritual desire for believers to respond to the Lord with respect to His coming.  This is seen at the end of each chapter with a reference to the Rapture of the Church.

                           Chapter 1:10 - "wait for his Son from heaven."   We wait because in 1:3 we "work and labor for the Lord."

                           Chapter 2:19 - "the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"  We "witness so others be saved" (2:4).

                           Chapter 3:13 - "stablish your hearts...at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."  - 3:3 - we don't waver...He's coming again!

                           Chapter 4:15 - "we which are alive at the coming of the Lord..."  We walk honestly in anticipation of the judgment seat of Christ!

                           Chapter 5:23 - "our body, soul, and spirit be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - In 5:14 - we "warn"  others that we will be held responsible of our stewardship at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

                                                 

He's commanded us!  We're in a combat!  He's Coming Again!  Let's keep praying "Even so, Come!  Lord Jesus!""

There's so much more to praying than just asking God to give us the things we want and think we need. 2018 definitely brought Aaron and I to our knees and taught us so much about prayer. We can't thank you all enough for standing by us through it all and encouraging us along the way. I hope this short devotion opened your eyes to the true power and importance of prayer.

We have big plans for 2019 and can't wait to share them with you as they unfold, and when I say big, I mean BIG. We've already started our preliminary testing for our IVF, we're meeting with someone this week about building our forever home, and there's even been talk of adding another four-legged friend to our clan. Clearly, we have so much to pray about for decisions, guidance, and perseverance.

While I have a list of women I pray for daily that are battling infertility, we want to also pray for needs of those facing other things. Feel free to send us an email using the contact form on the side column of my blog page or comment your prayer requests below so that we can help you pray.