Let Us Pray

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

The Bible makes it clear that prayer is one of the identifying marks of disciples of Christ. But we must remember that prayer is more than bringing our petitions before the throne of grace. Yes, we are invited to present our requests to Jesus — in fact, we are instructed to come boldly into His presence, asking, seeking, and knocking. But there is so much more to prayer than that! Prayer demonstrates that we truly believe that Someone exists in the universe who is far greater, more glorious, and more powerful than we are. Prayer is a constant reminder that there is indeed a God, and He is not us!

Prayer points us in a God-ward direction. When we are looking up at God, we stop looking in at ourselves and out at our circumstances. We begin to see a glory infinitely greater than our own, the glory of the One who created us for His glory story. Prayer is a constant reminder there is something beyond the limits of our own little lives, our own little plans, our own little goals, and our own little desires. Because we are image-bearers of God, we are to live in a way that expands the cause of His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, and our prayers are to reflect that reality.

When we are focused on the Kingdom of God, we are focused on the King of kings and Lord of lords. Keeping our focus on King Jesus keeps us from shrinking the size of our salvation down to the size of our individual lives. Our salvation is not primarily about us; it is about Him, and every aspect of our saved lives is to be used to expand His Kingdom. Our prayers should reflect the truth that we are instruments of both salvation and sanctification in God’s mighty right hand, and we are to surrender and submit to His will in our lives.

How would you describe your prayer life lately? Hot? Cold? Lukewarm? When we keep the grandeur and glory of God’s glory story in view, we will spend more and more time in the presence of our Lord, praying in dependence on God, devotion to God, and delight in God. Let us pray!

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!