October 1, 2014

By: Elder Bobby Poe

Prayer: The true believer in communion with his Heavenly Father

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Prayer is the regenerated or renewed soul in communion with his heavenly father. Some people’s prayers are nothing but empty words. They do not come to seek God’s best or his will for their lives; they come instead to talk about themselves and what good things they have done. They come with a shopping list for God to fill. Luke 18:11-12 speaks of the Pharisee who “stood and prayed thus with himself, God I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” You will notice that the Pharisee did not pray to God, but with himself.

God has given the strongest invitation to come before Him in prayer; but remember, when we come to God in prayer, we are to seek God’s will for our lives and God’s best. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16) Jesus Christ, through whom our prayers pass into the presence of God, is there before God to encourage us to come boldly (that is, with confidence and assurance) to the altar of prayer.

A real desire to pray is a desire to talk to one’s heavenly Father. Sin, of which we have not repented, will become a barrier to keep us from prayer. Prayer is the spiritual exercise that a child of God should do often; but Satan will use a person’s sins to keep him from his only source of help, which is a loving heavenly Father. A child, who has been disobedient, does not desire the presence of his father, but will try to keep his distance from him. When his sin has been repented of, then he will enjoy the company of his father. This is what happens to a believer when he sins. He will not seek the presence of his heavenly Father until his sin has been repented of.

In Ephesians 6:18 we read the phrase, “Praying always”. This means we should pray on all occasions. Whenever the necessity arises, whether ours or others; we should be ready to approach God in prayer. We have the privilege to pray for our needs whether natural, physical or spiritual; but we must remember to pray, not my will but thine be done.

The believer has something precious to be guarded. One’s own spiritual walk with God is the thing Satan will seek to destroy. The believer is to be wide awake, vigilant, and alert when he prays, not half asleep. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) David was a man so given to prayer that he said, “When Thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. (Psalm 27:8) This is the attitude a child of God should always have; he should be ready to seek God at a moment’s notice.

May the Holy Spirit give to each of us a rich life of prayer.