Neville Turley

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.”Psalm 61:1 (NIV)

The urge to pray regularly is not restricted to Christians. People everywhere have a desire to worship and pray. It is the one denominator that all followers of major faiths have in common. In every aspect of doctrine apart from that there is a God, their beliefs and traditions are irreconcilable.

Followers of Islam pray five times per day, Jews are taught to pray in the morning, afternoon and evening. The Bible exhorts Christians to pray without ceasing and to keep on praying. 

John Calvin, the 16th century reformer, spoke of the divine spark within all of us that makes us want to reach out to God.  One can only do that through the power of prayer.

Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed God’s divine plan for humankind.  “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”  (Matthew 11:27)

The Lord Jesus Christ taught us that our Creator is a personal being. A father who loves, understands and responds to his children’s needs. Faith in Jesus, the Rock of our salvation, is absolutely crucial when we pray.

 Through him we have direct access to God the Father. For Jesus took our sins upon himself when he laid down his life to put us right with our Heavenly Father.

Sometimes, however our thoughts can get so jumbled that we cannot adequately articulate our prayers. When that happens the Holy Spirit steps in and pleads on our behalf in accordance with the will of God.  How blessed we are that the supreme Triune God is ever ready to respond to the prayers of those who turn to him.

Prayer:  Almighty God may we be strengthened in our prayer life. Through the Holy Spirit empower each of us to live in close communion with you through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen