Connecting Life with Faith: Living on a Prayer

Photo Image source worldim.com

Many times we hear the word "prayer" and most of us imagine a picture of somebody with folded hands, eyes closed and head bowed down.

Our ideas about prayer are usually based on our own experiences and also our cultural perspective. Yet it is clear as we explore other countries and people that there is a universality to the idea of prayer.  

When people are in need, desperate, despairing of life they turn to this age old practice in hope of help. Almost like a primal instinct this thought to reach out for God springs out of the suffering soul.

I have become fond of this saying,

"There are no atheists in fox holes." 

Death and suffering really cause us to examine what we believe, and the reality is we all need God. 

Let's dive further in with prayer.

We tend to think prayer is about asking first and listening if we have time. I find myself often falling into this pattern of prayer.

With so many needs and demands coming at us, I think many feel this way.

And certainly prayer feels amazing when we see our Heavenly Father answer our requests and see our needs. After all asking is something we teach our own children.  Even if we know what they need as parents, we enjoy to see them come and ask honestly, with expectation.

When the the Scripture instructs about prayer it mostly comes from the New Testament. There is good reason for that.

The Holy Spirit, God abiding in us through believing in Jesus Christ, is an integral part of prayer.  

It is the mind of Christ given by the Holy Spirit that speaks to us on how to pray.  

1 Corinthians 2:16

We are not heard for our many words, nor because of our prayer stance. We are heard because we have faith first and this  makes us His children.

Pray for one another. 

Ephesians 6:18

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

Care for one another.

Phillipians 2:4 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Over the last several months I have been able to say I have made it through by God supplying my needs through the prayers and deeds of His saints. 

This place of partnership is where a brother or sister in the LORD becomes a partner in the work of His Kingdom.  

1 Corinthians 3:9 

"We are coworkers in God's service.."

The Word of God calls us to colabor with one another and to pray for and bless one another. This is what the church Acts demonstrated so beautifully to the world and inspired the local community of onlookers to say, "Behold, look how they love each other"

So live on the prayers of one another and provide and help one another as the LORD enables.  The saddest thing we can do is neglect each other and model hypocrisy to world in Jesus' name.

Be blessed so that you may bless others!