Prayer is so very vital in our daily walks with God. Without it, communication is halted. With it, communication is enabled and each of our relationships with God soars. We need to pray for everything and everyone in our lives. No corner of our lives should be avoided during prayer. No loved one in our lives should be forgotten when we are before God. This is a simple devotion with one single thought – prayer.
I love this passage in 1 Timothy 2. It highlights prayer in such a perfect way, and it explicitly explains to us who to pray for and how important it is to pray for our loved ones.
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
When I was reading this passage one day, I immediately thought about the “Ws” – you know, that concept our teachers taught us to help us decipher the meaning of a particular writing. It’s the “who, what, when, why, where, and how” idea. Let’s uncover the important lessons found in this passage about praying to our Heavenly Father.
Who?
Who needs to pray? Everyone should pray. Every Christian needs to make this such a high priority in his or her daily life. It can only benefit both them and all their loved ones because they are praying for them.
Who do we need to pray for? Wow, that list is LONG! Here goes: leaders, preachers, teachers, world and national leaders, parents, extended family, church family, co-workers and bosses, friends, neighbors, strangers we pass on a chance meeting, and even our enemies.
What?
What should we pray for? Pray – true prayer is not simply regular, repeated prayers where we say the same things all the time, but really praying. I like to call them “big-time prayers” when you really talk to God about what’s in your heart. We need to remember that when we pray, we are talking to the God of the Universe. He knows everything and we should look to Him for answers. 1 Chronicles 16:11 says, “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”
Also, our prayers should be all-encompassing – praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition for ourselves and intercession for others.
When?
When should we pray? That’s easy – all the time! No matter what you’re doing or what time of the day it is, pray, pray, pray! 1 Thessalonians 3:10 says, ” Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”
Why?
Why should we pray? The answer to this “W” is also a very long list.there are just so many reasons to pray. Here’s a list to get you started: to become more godly, because it is our Christian duty, because our Heavenly Father does this for us, to create a more compassionate and loving heart, because others pray for us, to help us as we are human and need to be more Christian-like – Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And the reasons continue.because we love others, to live a more peaceful life, because God wants everyone to be saved, because there is only one God that we worship, and to increase our faith, compassion, and personal relationship with God and others. What more evidence do you need?!
Where?
Where should we pray? Pray everywhere – in your car, at the grocery store, at home, in a special place, at work, in the great outdoors, in church..absolutely anywhere! Just do it!
How?
How to pray, you ask? Always remember to pray with a whole heart. As the passage says, you can lift up your hands in praise, both literally and figuratively. Always have undivided focus and attention, fully thinking on God. Also, be specific with your prayers. God is in the details. Talk to Him like you would your best friend; after all, He is the best friend you will ever have. Lastly, talk to Him about absolutely everything that is on your heart. Like I said before, yes, the Lord knows everything – He is God after all. But He wants us to talk to him about whatever, whenever. He loves us so much!
Yes, this devotion carries one single theme, and one thought. The main goal we need to take away from this today is to be a prayer warrior. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 says, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Be diligent in praying: Psalm 5:3 tells us, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”When we do ALL of this that we’ve talked about in this devotion, God says: “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” (Luke 11:9) and John 15:7 says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” What an awesome God He is. Don’t forget to tell Him how much you love Him.in continual prayer.