The real lifeline to reality!

Last time we looked at reasons we ought to be thankful for Prayer. Let’s review:

1. Prayer is the POWER!

a. Prayer is the Overt Power

b. Prayer is the Covert Power

c. Prayer is the Invisible Power

d. Prayer is the Unlimited Power

Here are 3 more that need to be consciously thought through in order to bring Prayer to the forefront of our mind so we learn to go there first…every time.

2. Prayer is PRACTICAL

Abraham Lincoln offered this honest confession about his need for prayer: "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day."

It amazes me what people turn to for help, yet miss the reality of a living God that desires to communicate, connect and help. Every time I have been stuck or unable to make a decision, I have found that after I spend some time in prayer, the Lord either reveals the answer to me or opens my mind to know what to do. Yes, there is faith involved, but not blind faith, for I have experienced and witnessed the evidence of a living God!

Jonah 2:1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2  He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3  You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4  I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.' 5  The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6  To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God. 7  "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8  "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

I especially find encouragement from Jonah, his problem was “self inflicted!” Yet he knew that God is God, full of grace and mercy. How silly it would be to hold on to your pride and not go to the One Person that can offer help? David understood this, he had committed some terrible sins and the Lord decided to chastise him. Yet, he still went to the Lord:

2 Samuel 12:21–23 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” ²² He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ ²³ “But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Just because we pray it does not mean we will get what we want…but if we don’t pray we will miss what the Lord might have done!

"Please say a prayer that my mom can lose 20 pounds.  She tried Weight-Watchers and it didn't help.  Now she needs PRAYER!" (Jennifer--Age 11)

"Please say a prayer for my teacher.  She's sick and if you said a prayer she would get better and come back to school.  Sincerely Susan.

P.S.--The other kids in my class said I should not write this letter."

"Pastor, please pray for all the airline pilots.  I'm flying to California tomorrow." (Laurie--in New York--Age 10)

Little girl after her geography test: "Please make Boston the capital of Vermont."

John 16:24  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

3. Prayer is where the best PRAISE takes place.

Psalms 141:2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Proverbs 15:8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

God loves communing with His children. The more you pray the more easily you learn to enter into praise!

4. Prayer is PERSONAL

Prayer is for you and the Lord, even if you are petitioning for someone else. This is when your heart can release to your Creator and experience renewed hope, while witnessing His mighty hand!

Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Psalms 4:1  Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Psalms 6:9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalms 17:6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.

Psalms 42:8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalms 88:13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

F.B. Meyer - "The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer."

The So What: Can you make it through a day without prayer? What area of your prayer life is lacking the most? How honest are you with God when you talk to Him? What does that show? Is there anything that you are afraid to talk to God about? How often to you find praise coming from you to God when you talk to Him?