“The Significance of Prayer (Essentials Red Fall 08)”

“For:The Institute Of Contemporary And Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Red Online Worship History Course with Dan Wilt”

It’s amazing that daily prayer was a part of the Jewish culture and way of life. They were and continue to be much disciplined in their prayerful devotion of Yahweh. Isaiah 62:6 states “O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord.”

Our Lord was born into this very culture at a specific point in time and space for a specific reason: to be an example unto future followers of Christ of how to pray. As Christians we can learn from the ancient writings of Psalm 105:4 which states to “Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him”.

I can think about how Jesus spent much time in prayer with the Father. Being completely in tune with the Spirit of God, knowing where to go, when to go, what to say and how to say it. In the garden of Gesemine, the Father gave Jesus great strength and reassurance to undertake the huge task of being beating, flogged and ultimately his crucifixion.

Prayer brings us in communion with God, changes our earthly perspective to a heavenly one. One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:6 which admonishes us to not worry about anything, but to pray about everything, and the peace of God which surpasses our understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

This scripture brings me great hope in that God promises us peace as we cast our burdens upon Him and thank Him for everything, good and bad in our lives. As we do this we enter into a realm that Paul exercised. A realm of divine peace which allowed him to praise in a prison before he was scheduled to be executed!

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, prayer opens the channels of  Gods living water to fill us anew, giving us strength and allowing to bear much good fruit. The more we pray the stronger we grow, the more connected we are with Christ.

Prayer must be considered to be a two way cycle, our petitioning to God but more importantly allowing Gods spirit to talk to us, strengthen us and encourage us.