More Prayer - God Isn't Your Bellhop

For some people, prayer is an enigma. We can't see God, touch Him, or hear Him in the physical so how do we even know prayer even works?

Prayer is raw faith. And without faith, according to Hebrews 11, it's impossible to please Him...but He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

If we're going to be mature followers of Jesus Christ, we need be more than "Gab it and grab it" prayers. We need to understand and followthrough with what Jesus taught when the disciple asked Him to teach them how to pray.

Prayer of adoration

Prayer of confession

Prayer of petition

Prayer of presence

Prayer of intercession

Prayer of thanksgiving

The apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing. Jesus taught the parable of the woman hounding the unrighteous judge to illustrate praying and not losing heart.

Prayer is spiritual warfare, pulling down strongholds and fighting back the onslaught of our enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy not only you but your family, friends, church, community, and nation. Like the old chorus says: "Why worry when you can pray? Trust Jesus, He'll be your stay."

Prayer is not optional for a true follower of Jesus. But if you see it from God's perspective, just like breathing unceasingly, prayer will become an integral part of your nature. James 5:13-16 ends with, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (ESV) Or, for the KJV readers, "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

James says it straight: Prayer is power. And not our power but God's power flowing through us as we pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done."