The Purpose of Prayer - Part 1
by Sam Douglass
Preface:
I think that almost all born-again, bought-by-the-blood, Bible-tot’n,
GOD-of-Israel-belive’n Christians want you to believe that they are in prayer
continuously, ”bombarding glory” with never-ending prayers of praise, blessing,
and petition!....
When, in fact, the opposite is actually much closer to the truth!
It’s a fact that in most churches,
“prayer meeting" is the least attended service!
Why is that?
If prayer is that important, then
why is “prayer meeting” such a burden to attend?
If prayer is important enough to have JESUS say (LUKE 18:1) “that men ought
always pray” then why don’t we? If prayer is so important that the Apostle Paul
admonished the Thessalonians (1 Thess.5:17) to “pray without ceasing” then why
don’t we?
You see, I think that people really
consider attending “prayer meetings” ….even spending time in daily private
prayer….to be a “burden”….something not “that necessary”…well,
Except in times of crisis and critical business and personal situations! Kind of
a “last ditch effort” thing…or “has it come to that” thing! Huh?
When I was flying for Jerry Savelle Ministries, I remember one night listening to a prayer request as this precious man poured out this incredible gut-wrenching story to Brother Jerry, asking Bro. Jerry to pray for him, and the successful outcome of this crucial situation! Bro. Jerry stopped him, asking him, “have you prayed, in detail, about this?
The man’s answer stunned me when he replied, “you think it’s come to that”?
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!
Actually, what we really prefer to
do is to keep GOD “on the back burner”, in a “spiritual bell-hop” position, so
to speak….to be there in times of business and personal crisis..
But not to where we have to “appoint time “ to praying! I guess that’s why I
used to think that “prayer meeting” was just to be attended by a bunch of old
people with nothing else to do that night!.... and I was the preacher’s son!
You see, I really didn’t understand the “purpose of prayer”! ….And now that I do, I think that prayer is the single most misunderstood thing in the church today!
So, I want to get started with our study on THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER!
I have been asked by Dove Aviation Ministry to teach through DOVE”S internet program each month, and I’m most happy to do just that!
Get your BIBLE, get your note book, pen, pencil, highlighter, whatever you need to completely study GOD’S word….and lets get started!
LUKE 11:1 “and it came to pass, that, as HE was praying in a certain place, when HE ceased, one of the disciples said to him, LORD, teach us to pray, as JOHN also taught his disciples”.
Prayer Meetings:
Thought to be attended only by a bunch of old people with nothing else to do; 1Thess 5:17 …”PRAY WITHOUT CEASING” Then why don’t we?
SOVEREIGN & POWERFUL GOD: We rationalize……there’s no need!
If GOD is “omnipotent” and ‘omnipresent” …then why do we pray when we are afraid…even KINGS? WE should have “no fear” therefore we need no “protection”!
The reason that we don’t pray….the way we should….the way that we are instructed to by JESUS….is this:
ANSWER: HUMAN NATURE AVOIDS FAILURE!
…. BUT ….
You see, its human nature to avoid things that we think don’t work….even vending machines!
About the
author;
Sam Douglass is a Professional Pilot, Business Manager, as well as a
great Christian Teacher. In this series of THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER, each month you
will learn the importance of prayer using scriptures and practical teaching. We
hope that you will enjoy this and it will BLESS you.
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