Prayer is one of the four integral elements we are to be focused on as the children of God. The other three are worship, the study of scripture and fellowship with the saints. (Acts 2:42) These four are the foundation of our experience, intimacy, and growth with our Heavenly Father.
In the Luke 11 passage containing The Lord’s Prayer, notice the Lord Jesus begins His lesson to us on prayer with the presupposition that we will be praying, saying: “When you pray…” The Creator of our world teaches us what He wants to hear from us! Think about this for a minute, Almighty God wants to hear from us! This strongly suggests that our Heavenly Father has an ear for us! Understand this is a privilege given to us, “we have God’s ears,” indeed! Another amazing, fantastic and exciting blessing from our Heavenly Father and wonders of all wonders is He answers us! Please take the time to have a conversation with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Go to Luke chapter eleven and remind yourself of content of your prayers and then keep reading to the end of the thirteenth verse. Christ Jesus gives us an illustration covering the contents, frequency, and expectation for the efficacy of our prayers to Him. The Apostle Paul adds through the leading of the Holy Spirit: “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints …” Ephesians 6:18
Charles Spurgeon adds: Your wants were innumerable, and therefore the supplies have been infinitely great, and your prayers have been as varied as the mercies have been countless. Then have you not cause to say, “I love the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplication”? For as your prayers have been many, so also have been God’s answers to them. He has heard you in the day of trouble, has strengthened you, and helped you, even when you dishonored Him by trembling and doubting at the mercy-seat. Remember this, and let it fill your heart with gratitude to God, who has thus graciously heard your poor weak prayers. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
Without the exercise of the spiritual discipline of prayer can anyone really believe and come to know the Triune God? Reader, the desired goal is a more intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, increased experience of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ, and to glorify and enjoy Him.
Robert Thompson has been the senior pastor of Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church in Snellville since May 2003. He graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1986. Robert is also Chairman of the Board of Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship. He and his wife Wanda have been married for 43 years. They have three adult daughters, Amanda, and twins Rebecca and Sarah. Amanda is married to Jerry Jones and they have three daughters of their own. Rebecca is married to Wesley Payton; they have two sons. Sarah is married to Mark Magdziarz and they have two daughters and two sons.
Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church
3800 Lenora Church Rd.
Snellville, GA 30078
web: www.chapelwoods.org
e-mail: pastor@chapelwoods.org
phone: (770) 978 1445
