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(Here are the links to the prayer series posts: first, second, third, and fourth.)
Whoops! I said last week that my post, “Praying in the Spirit,” was the last one in the prayer series. In fact, I’ve been working all week on an article for a new series, but the Lord dropped something into my heart that I can’t keep to myself. So this one here will be the last post in the prayer series and I’ll start the new series next week. Right? We’ll see!
People need a reason to pray. Like our overstuffed schedules prove, distractions abound. If you want to do something important, you have to make time for it. You need to schedule it. If you don’t, the urgent will crowd out the important.
Most Christians agree that prayer is a priority. But why pray? Why take the time? In his Gospel and in the book of Acts, the apostle Luke presents three reasons.
First, some matters are worth discussing with God. Jesus prayed all night before He chose His twelve apostles. If you were one of them, wouldn’t you want the assurance that Christ had talked to God before He called you? Having to make a decision that will affect the lives of other people is a pretty good reason to pray.
Second, Acts 3 describes the encounter of the apostles Peter and John with a lame beggar. Peter commanded him to be healed in the name of Jesus and instantly, the man’s legs were strengthened. While the crowd rejoiced, Peter used the occasion to preach Christ to them. According to the next chapter, this got the attention of the Jewish leaders who arrested Peter and John, and warned them to stop their ministry.
How do you respond to a credible threat? They rejoined the church for an impromptu prayer meeting. When you’re under attack, pray!
Third, Acts 12 recounts the tale of Peter’s second arrest. This one was worse than before; King Herod sentenced him to death. The night before Peter’s execution, an angel came and broke him out of jail. It took the apostle a little while to realize that this was real and not a dream! He then decided to visit the church at the home of John Mark’s mother. It turns out that Christians had already gathered to, I presume, pray for Peter. When he showed up, they didn’t believe that God had answered their prayers, but they reconsidered when the apostle waltzed into their meeting. (Isn’t is nice to know that God can answer prayer even when your faith isn’t 100%?) When you or someone you love faces a life-and-death issue, that’s a reason to pray!
Supplementing Luke’s accounts, here are some reasons for prayer and intercession:
- Discern God’s will
- Receive courage to do the right thing
- Challenge an injustice
- Draw near to the Lord
- Express gratitude
- Complain about something
- Ask for help
- Grow spiritually
- Seek to bless someone
I’m sure you can think of a few more. Christians have many reasons to pray. Churches have plenty of situations that need intercession.
If you don’t pray, it’s probably because you don’t need to. If a church doesn’t seek God, it must be doing fine without His aid. No?
If you find that prayer is optional, perhaps you’re not serving the Lord in the right way. But if you endeavor to obey Jesus, if you care about people, you’ll come up with a few ideas. I guarantee it!
What’s your reason to pray?
PS – A couple of hours before posting this article, I received a text about a newborn who needs surgery. If you look for reasons to pray, you’ll find them, but sometimes, they find you. Remember this little girl in your prayers. Thank you!
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