RHAPSODY OF REALITIES THURSDAY, 9TH MARCH.
THE BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER.
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).
The victorious and triumphant life, which is God-ordained, and His will for you in Christ, isn’t really possible without prayer. The Bible says, “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Christians who don’t take advantage of the blessings and privilege that prayer provides easily become victims in life. Prayer is a privilege, as well as a right given to us to approach the Father in faith through His Word, and by the Holy Spirit. That opportunity of fellowship is something the Father always wants us to seize and take advantage of.
In Luke 18:1, Jesus said, “…men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” The ensuing parable He told emphasized the connection we have with the Father in our constant communication that builds faith. It’s one of the beautiful benefits of prayer, in addition to the conditioning of your spirit. Thus, you need to be a praying Christian, and not a “playing” Christian; take your prayer life and routine seriously.
Prayer isn’t something you do when you have a need. That’s where a lot of people have missed it. They see prayer as the avenue to ask God for things, whereas, fellowship—deep communion with the Spirit—is the higher purpose of prayer. When you commit to spending time in fellowship with the Lord, you’ll always be synchronized with the Holy Spirit; His will and purpose will be clear to you.
The power and import of prayer isn’t so much in the answers we get when we pray as it is the impact it has on our spirits. Understand that before you ask, God hears you. However, there’s something about prayer, especially praying in tongues, that affects your spirit and causes it to glow. When you pray in tongues often, the glory of God is revealed in your inner man, causing you to function with divine wisdom.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the privilege of prayer and the tremendous blessings and impact it brings to my spirit. My spirit, through fellowship with you is conditioned to know and walk in your perfect will, and manifest excellence always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study:
James 5:16-17 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. 17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. [I Kings 17:1.]
Jude 1:20 AMP But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 14:1-26, Numbers 24-26
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 21:18-32, Exodus 18