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Prayer is a privilege that followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have available to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The Bible conveys many benefits of prayer for God’s people. Here a few:
Prayer draws us closer to God.
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).
Prayer can change lives and situations.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him
who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7. 8).
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may
lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Prayer can provide us with protection.
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil’ (Matthew 6:13).
“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15).
Prayer can give us peace.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6, 7).
Reflection
We hear from God through His Word, the Bible. God delights to hear from us through our prayers.
Bible verses are taken from The New American Standard Bible, 1995.
Pastor Cecil Price, July 16, 2023