The Power of Daily Prayer
Prayer is a wonderful opportunity for Christians to spend time with God praising Him, thanking Him for all that He has done, and bringing our anxieties, needs, and concerns before His throne. Prayer is not a burden to God; He seeks worshipers, John 4:23. Jesus urges us to pray and taught His disciples how to pray, Matthew 6:5-13. Paul promised peace to the believer who cast all anxiety into the care of God in Philippians 4:6-7:
“…do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Through the scriptures and history, great men and women of faith devoted themselves to prayer and trusted its power. It’s no wonder Paul urges Christians to “pray without ceasing” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Obstacles to Daily Prayer
It is perplexing that some Christians confess to not praying daily or forgetting to pray when its blessings are obvious. Some obstacles I have observed:
- Start the day focused on tasks and problems instead of praying before facing the demands of life
- Little trust that God will answer our prayers because they doubt that prayer is effective despite what the Bible teaches
- Can’t figure out how God will answer their prayers or are disappointed when God doesn’t answer the way they want or expect
We must remember that God will hear His children and He answers prayers through wisdom giving us what we need. Sometimes what we want is opposite of what is best for us. Sometimes we are asking for things opposed to His will, as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12, prayed repeatedly for one outcome but rejoiced the outcome God chose for him as it made him stronger spiritually. God is not a genie to grant our every wish; He is our Father who wants what is best for us and acts out of love for our greater good even when we can’t see or appreciate it at the moment.
6 Things Christians Tell God When They Avoid Daily Prayer
Understanding the blessing and power of daily prayer, when Christians fail to act on that belief they are telling God several things:
- You are not important to me or a priority in my life
- I do not have time for you
- I do not want to spend time with you
- I can handle things without you
- I do not believe that you can impact the things I am facing in my life
- I have nothing of which to thank or praise you
- I can take advantage of our relationship and use you only when I am in trouble or need
Godly Youth 