Prayer is our direct lifeline to God. It is our basis for communication with God. It is the primary way we develop a relationship with God. God desires relationship, not just religion. Through the development of this relationship a deeper trust is found in God. A deeper peace is discovered. How important is prayer?
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 There is power in our prayers. They are effective. We know that God hears and answers all prayers. We know from our key verses that prayer is so powerful that it can tear down the strongholds of the enemy. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7
Prayer is the key to peace in our lives. God delivers peace through faith. The world delivers anxiety through doubt. These verses from Philippians remind us that to avoid being anxious about anything, we need to present to God everything. The result is that the peace of God, which is beyond our mortal understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!
Because it is in our hearts and minds that the enemy works. He works tirelessly to get us to simply doubt. Doubt the power of God, the goodness or God, the faithfulness of God and the promises of God. It usually will start off slow as the enemy is seeking a foothold in our hearts or minds. Soon however, that foothold becomes a stronghold. An area in our thinking or feeling that is not obedient to Christ. The devil sets up shop there and continues to whisper the lies of this world into what we feel and think. Soon, if we are not vigilant, what we feel or think becomes bigger than what we believe. What we doubt becomes bigger than what we know. It all starts with that foothold the Bible warns us against:
And do not give the devil a foothold Ephesians 4:27
But prayer moves the heart of God. And God answers:
In my distress I called out to the Lord; I called out to my God. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came to His ears. 2Samuel 22: 7
Whatever spiritual battle you find yourself in today, God is still in His temple and is still hearing your cries. Call out to Him in prayer develop a more intimate relationship with Him today. It is our lifeline to God. Prayer comforts us, guides us, grounds us, and connects us to God almighty!
The second half of our key verses reveal a fact that we may tend to overlook. This world is constantly bombarding us with arguments and pretensions that are contrary to the knowledge of God. Not only contrary but the Word says that they are set specifically against God. We see Christians every day falling for the logic and solutions the world has to offer. The Word somehow becomes secondary. Faith starts to erode. The stronghold is being built.
