The Priority of PrayerWhat is the role of prayer in a believer's life? What exactly
should the role of prayer be in a God follower's life? Does God
answer all prayers? What if God never answered one of your
prayers? Would you still pray? Many people wrestle with, not only
these questions, but many others in reference to praying.
The priority of prayer must be the "glory of God." After all, it
is to God that we pray. He is the one that came up with the idea
of praying. Therefore, God should receive glory from the prayers
you pray. Anything short of the glory of God seems to fall short
of the priority of prayer.
An ancient writer wrote, "whether you eat or drink or whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God." This writer seemed to take
the most mundane and basic elements of life to show that you
should strive to reflect glory to God in all that you do, even,
in the most humblest daily routines of life.
Now the question is this, "How do you glorify God in your
prayers?" That makes sense, doesn't it? If the priority is to
glorify God in praying, how do you do that? There is one
predominate answer to that question. You glorify God in your
prayers through being obedient to pray according to the will of
God. Another ancient writer wrote that if you pray anything
according to God's will He, God, hears and answers that prayer.
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Praying according to God's will is so much more relaxing than
trying to change God's mind about a problem or situation that you
are encountering. After all, how many people are able to change
the mind of God? I don't suppose too many can do that, if any.
Come to think about it, I don't think I have ever heard of anyone
changing God's mind. It is so much better to find out what He
wants you to pray and, then, pray accordingly.
Life can be a great adventure, far more rewarding, and fun as you
find out what God is up to, so that, you can join Him, rather,
than trying to get God convinced to join you.
One might ask, "If prayer is for God, can we still pray to get
things from God?" The answer, of course, is yes, but not like a
rich grandfather in Heaven pouring out all kinds of gifts as we
ask for them.
You should pray expecting God to answer your prayers, but
perhaps, the priority of praying will cause each one to consider
his prayers before praying them. It is a good thing to review
your requests prior to asking God for them. Pray is a serious
activity, certainly, not one to take lightly. Prayer is a great
privilege, even, a great responsibility.
Someone has said, "The giver always gets the glory." This seems
to be a true statement. As you discern what God wants to do in a
situation, pray, and expect God to answer. When the answers
arrive, give God the glory.
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Author: Pastor George Luther, Th.D.
Please visit my website at: http://www.InYourLight.com
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