Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Value Of Prayer

Thus says the Lord God: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock.” Ezekiel 36:37

Prayer is the forerunner of mercy. Turn to Christian history and you will find that almost every great mercy came to this world through prayer. You will find this true in your own personal experiences too. God may have given you many unearned favors, but still, great prayer has always been the prelude of great mercy in your life.

When you first found peace through the blood of the Cross, you prayed and sought God that He would remove your doubts and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Your assurance of God’s forgiveness and salvation was the result of prayer. Then after you were saved, do you remember the joy of having your prayers answered? In fact, so fervent and in love with Jesus were you, that whenever you were elated or thrilled by something, you attributed it as an answer to your prayers. When you had great deliverance from painful trouble and received supernatural help in times of need, you were able to say, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4).

Prayer is also a prelude to blessing. It goes before the blessing as the blessing’s shadow. When the sunlight of God’s mercies rises on our needs, it casts the shadow of prayer far down on the earth. We know that every answer from God for our lives has been an answer to our prayers. Prayer is thus connected with the blessing to show us its value. Prayer makes the mercies we receive more precious than diamonds. The things we ask for are precious, but we do not realize their preciousness until we have sought for them earnestly.

Beloved, let us not lose our first love for Jesus and our fervency in prayer. Our prayer is our communion with God and it is His will for our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

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