Lent
~Forty days from Ash Wednesday to Easter
~A time of introspection, self-reflection, and evaluation of our relationship with God
Why is prayer so important?
Prayer is communion with God in order to access His kingdom, power, and glory.
Alex and Stephen Kendrick, The Battle Plan of Prayer, p. 39
Tapping into God’s Power
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to see you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. All of this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:18-19,25,26 New International Version (NIV)
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.
Luke 24:49 (NIV)
Power = dynamis (Greek)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV)
Prayer can do anything….It can reach out and address any issue that anyone is facing anywhere on earth. It can be silently engaged without the enemy ever hearing the life-changing conversation going on in our heads and our hearts
The Battle Plan of Prayer, p. 39
Prayer is like oxygen to our spiritual lives. It provides the needed wind in our sails to propel everything we do as believers, and it’s the unseen key to the success of every ministry of the church.
The Battle Plan for Prayer, p. 21
Prayer as a priority.
So if prayer is so powerful, why don’t we make it a priority?
God of possibilities, please forgive us for relying on our wisdom, strength, energy, and ideas rather than abiding in You and seeking You first. Help us lay aside anything that hinders us from pursuing Your best. Help us prioritize prayer and devote ourselves to it in our personal lives, our families, and our church. Make our church truly a house of prayer for everyone. Revive us again, O Lord. Help us walk in Your strength and glorify you with all we do. We pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.