Hollow or Hearty Prayers?

“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert…” – Ephesians 6:18

Why is praying often so hard to do? Even the disciples found it difficult to stay awake and pray for a few hours when Jesus was entering one of the most challenging evenings of His life. He was counting on their prayers, but instead He got their snores.

It seems like we are prone to have so much to do that we only resort to prayer when we are facing a life and death situation. It might be described as “fox hole praying,” a term that originated on the battlefield when soldiers under enemy fire would cry out to God. So often we fail to realize that we are in a daily battle with Satan, who is on the prowl to capture and destroy.

It is so easy to take the low road of spiritual development by quick devotionals and even quicker prayers. Prayer should be a privilege, not a duty. As E. M. Bounds (1835-1913) put it: “Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.” When we approach prayer as a two-way conversation, we discover the rich fellowship God offers.

As we move forward in the capital campaign for LCCS’s expansion, we must remember that our enemy will not let the blessings of God flow without opposition. Now more than ever, we need to be vigilant in prayer, guarding our hearts and minds. A humble, persistent prayer life will keep us moving forward in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, please forgive us for failing to pursue you in prayer. There is so much at risk when we do not communicate with you and listen for you. May we stay alert and know the joy of being prayer warriors for a most worthy cause, the building of His kingdom.

Thought for the Day:
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”  - Martin Luther