Why do we need to pray and never faint? Why do we need constant, persistent, unceasing, prevailing prayer? Why do we need to pray in season and out of season? The fight for justice for the fatherless is not a physical fight. It is one that we must first win on our knees.
The fight for justice for the fatherless is not a physical fight. It is one that we must first win on our knees.
Here are some reasons why we must prayer in general but specifically for the orphan care movement worldwide.
Why is prayer important?
- Because there is a Devil, Satan1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He is powerful, never rests, and is always looking for ways to destroy God’s children. In response, Jesus says, watch and pray always (Luke 21:36). Remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, we must take up the whole armor of God which is the only thing that can help us withstand Satan, but not only withstand him but do it in a way that after everything is done, we will be left standing (Eph. 6: 10). Powerful, persistent, prevailing prayer is an essential part of that armor. Without it, we will lose too much.
- Prayer is the route God has chosen for us to get things from him Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily food, pray sustains our every breath. When people pray, God extends their lives (Isaiah 38:5). R. A. Torrey says, “The secret behind the poverty of the average Christian is neglect of prayer.” Every weakness in a Christian’s life could be traced back to the lack of prayer. If you and I have anything that is missing in our lives, it’s because we haven’t prayed.
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22, NLT)
“Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened.”
“You do not have because you do not ask.” James 4:2 - Because God commands us to pray The Bible tells us to “Pray without ceasing”. That’s a command.
- Because God promises to answer our prayers“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
- Prayer is how we resist the temptation of the Devil
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Matthew 26:41, NLT - God gives wisdom and understanding through prayer
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5
[bctt tweet=”The fight for the fatherless is first won on our knees (via @AustinBibleInst)”]
- Because Jesus was and is a man of prayerIntercession is what Jesus did while on earth and it’s his full-time job now. We join our high priest in offering incense to our God when we pray because incense is the prayer of the saints.
- Because that’s how we receive mercy and grace
- Because that’s how we obtain fullness of joy
- Because prayer makes God real When you ask specific things and God answers, it proves to you that God is real. George Muller’s ministry is the prime example of this.
- Because prayer is how we “communicate” with God Note that when God talks to us, its revelation, not prayer.
- Because that’s how we communion with God
- Because Prayer is how we get freedom from anxiety
- Because prayer is we get the Holy Spirit
- Because prayer is how we prepare for Christ’s return
- Prayer promotes our spiritual growth more than anything else except Bible Study
- Prayer is the source of power for our work Much prayer is much power, no prayer is no power.
- Prayer is how we convert people to Christ
E.g. St. Augustine’s mother, Monica. The Pentecost in acts chapter 2 happened because the disciples spent time constantly praying. - Every great man of God that has every lived, inside the Bible and outside the Bible has been a man or woman of prayerTorrey says, “All the mighty men of God outside the Bible have been men of prayer. They have differed from one another in many things, but in this practice of faithful praying, they have been alike.”
