From Genesis 4:26 to the last verse in Revelation prayer is prominently mentioned in God's Word. There are hundreds of prayers in the Word, hundreds of promises, many encouragements to pray, and many answers to prayer. God, Himself, asks us to pray-- for prayer is the expression of our dependence upon Him. In this He delights. Prayer, believing, trusting prayer, honors Him.
All Christian experience from the moment we accepted Christ till we see Him face to face is interwoven with prayer. Without prayer we can do nothing. A prayerless Christian is a dead Christian, without fellowship with the Lord, without service, without power. Of course prayer has its mysteries, and it is impossible to explain everything in connection with it by our finite minds. Nor is it demanded of us to know and understand the mystery of prayer. Our business is to pray; take the Lord by His Word, trust Him, roll our burdens upon Him, live, move and have our spiritual being in prayer.
One of the choicest expressions on prayer was given by our friend, the late Dr. Arthur Pierson:
"Prayer gives a new vision to the soul, a new contact with God. It makes possible a larger recognition of Divine resources, a fuller reception, and therefore a fuller distribution. One revival must precede all others-- the revival of the praying spirit and habit. Praying souls become prevailing saints. The great supplicators are also the seers. When true supplicators and intercessors come near the Throne, the very fountains of His life pour forth their living streams. Like the Bible, prayer is self-evidencing. It is a mysterious union of Divine and human elements, not easy of explanation, but to him who prayers and puts God to the test along the lines of His own precepts and promises, God proves how real a force prayer is in His moral universe. The best way to realize prayer is to practice it. Generally, if not uniformly, prayer is the starting point and goal to every movement in which are the elements of permanent progress."
~By AC Gaebelein, Taken from Our Hope Magazine, 1919 Modified for the Web by Cobblestone Road Ministries ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And in closing, we include the following Scriptures:
1Thess 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Phil 4:6,7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Prayer makes darkened clouds withdraw, Prayer climbs the Ladder Jacob saw; Gives exercise to faith and love, Brings every blessing from above.