PRAYER

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord My Soul To Take, Amen.

This simple child's prayer is etched in the minds of millions and millions of God's creation. This and the so called Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6: 9-13, are recited and recalled thousands of times each and every day around the globe. Grown men who have fallen away from the Lord or certain patients in Memory Care Facilities can be brought to tears hearing or speaking these timeless tools of worship.

We believe that the first mention of prayer in our Bible can be found in Genesis 4:26 where we read: To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

What is prayer and Why is it so important?

Right beside God's gift to us through the Breath of Life is where we should place the value and importance of Prayer. For believers, prayer is a gift, a privilege, a blessing of having direct unfettered access to the Creator, the Author of all things, past, present and future. Prayer is the direct connection between your soul's voice and God's ear. The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. { Psa 6:9} God grants the believer audience instantly regardless of the hour, weather, situation or location. The power of prayer is almost to great to contemplate while in the flesh.

Those who do not believe have no use for prayer; The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no God." { Psa 10:4} -- This is a sad statement and reflection on the majority of those living today.

The most common types of prayers are prayers of petition; Cries for personal help or intervention for themselves, and prayers of intercession; praying for intervention or benefit for others, or on their behalf. Here is an example of a prayer of intercession mixed with a short benediction at the end:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, (16) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (20) Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, (21) to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. {Eph 3:14-21}

IN First Samuel, a powerful prayer of petition is pleaded by Hanna to be granted the favor of childbirth, lifting up words of great respect, worship and awe to her Lord:

Then Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. (2) "There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. (3) "Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. (4) "The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength. (5) "Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, But those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes. (6) "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. (7) "The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. (8) "He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He set the world on them. (9) "He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. (10) "Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed." {1Sa 2:1-10}

There is yet another type of prayer. Thanksgiving!

God answers prayers. O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. { Psa 30:2}

When you pray, pray from your heart, pray from the deepest most secret part of your very soul. Pray with a deep reverence expected as from a created being (you) to your Creator (Our Lord God). Cherish and protect this wondrous gift that Almighty God has granted to His child. Thank Him often for being the powerful and merciful Father of all who believe, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?