Verse-a-day 2 May 2013
Our prayer relationship with God
Quintus Heine
Every day this month we're going to reflect on our prayer relationship with God. Prayer is the breath of our spiritual lives. If we do not pray, we are spiritually dead. I do not think there is anyone who knows everything there is to know about prayer, our prayer relationship with God is too complex and comprehensive. This is one topic where there are no specialists, because each person has a unique personal relationship with God in prayer. People have different spiritualities and personalities. This month we’ll be looking at what the Bible says about our prayer lives.
Why do we pray?
* The biggest reason to pray is because God has invited us to pray! We are repeatedly asked to pray to him. Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest". God cares for us and he wants us to ask for anything we need.
Prayer is not a luxury or just something for people who are arrogant enough to think they have access to God. It’s a necessity for every believer; indeed, God commands us to pray. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8). The Bible also tells us to pray regularly. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
* We also pray because Jesus set the example for us. For Jesus, prayer was a daily habit. He called on God every day. He prayed when he was in distress. He also prayed for others. This is also the case with believers throughout the Bible. Following their example, we know that we should pray and that prayer is essential.
* Another reason to pray is the many promises God gives us in different ways. He wants to bless our lives. Therefore the Lord wants us to pray!
The Bible is full of invitations to prayer. God wants us to be in a wonderful relationship with him. He wants to save us from sin. He wants to give us a blessed spiritual life, that’s why he invites us and instructs us to pray to him!
Prayer: Lord, help me to accept your invitation to pray to you, every day. Amen.