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| What
Prayer Does for the Pray-er |
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| Dee Bowman |
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It seems to me significant that our
English word “prayer” indicates, by its very nature, someone
who does it. A prayer is something prayed by a pray-er.
Have you ever stopped to think about what prayer does for us?
It’s interesting.
Prayer makes us like Him whom we adore. People who associate
closely begin to adopt one another’s characteristics,
personality, demeanor. When you keep in touch with God, you will
become more and more like Him. Peter says, “Whereby are given
to us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye
might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is I the world through lust (2 Pet. 1:4). How
exciting to think it possible to take part in the divine
nature—to be holy, to be full of love, to be considerate of
others—and the multitude of other characteristics inherent in
the Divine One. If you want to be like God, meditate on His
promises and pray for His goodness and it will come to
pass—you will be more like Him.
Prayer exercises our spiritual senses. A lack of exercise
results in flaccid muscles. A lack of spiritual exercise
produces the same flaccidity—only it’s much more serious.
You become disinterested, irregular in attendance, unconcerned
about spiritual matters. Regular prayer keeps us in good shape,
makes us stronger, more able to function in difficult
situations, more able to perform in hard places. “Pray without
ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:17-18).
Prayer humbles our elevated spirits. We live in a world so
comfortable that it’s easy to forget from whence our blessings
come. We get so caught up in our multitude of blessings that we
forget their source. You can’t have a spirit of pride and
thank God for His blessings at the same time. You have to humble
yourself somewhat to give thanks; it places you in a proper
position when you pray. The condemnation given the Gentile
nations by Paul in Romans 1 says, “Because that when they knew
God, they glorified him not as God, neither were they thankful;
but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart
was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became
fools” (Rom. 1:21-22). Prayer and humility are connected. No
humility, no prayer.
Prayer elevates our broken spirits. Life if filled with
unexpected down times. We must face difficult situations at
times. No matter how unfaithful people are, when death comes, or
a serious operation is in the offing, they pray. How sad that it
is reserved only for such a time. Prayer, for the faithful,
enhances his ability to endure by connecting him to the
immutable Father, but giving him assurance that Jesus has been
there, “For,” we are told, “we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but
was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let
us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.
4:15-16).
And finally, prayer is our lifeline to spiritual energy. To be
constantly in touch with God is to be connected to His strength,
to share His power, to imbibe of His energy. “I will never
leave thee nor forsake thee,” He said, so that we may boldly
say, the Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do
unto me” (Heb. 13:6-7). How encouraging is that! How
absolutely consoling! How totally comforting.
“Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to
pray?”
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Copyright (C)
2008
Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.
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