Embracing and Applying God’s Promises
Simply stated, prayer is the occasion that makes it possible to become acquainted with our heavenly Father. It may or may not involve words or emotion. A young Christian once said, “Prayer is not to express an opinion, but to feel a presence.”
Prayer is man’s means to know God intimately. This is more than just becoming acquainted with God. One prayer warrior wisely explains, “He knows not God who knows not how to pray. He has never studied God who has not had his intellect broadened, strengthened, clarified and uplifted by prayer.”
The Bible is filled from cover to cover with promises available to those who tap God’s reservoir of power. “Prayer,” declared the Archbishop of Dublin, “is not overcoming God’s reluctance, it is laying hold of God’s willingness.” Certainly God is willing to answer prayer or He would have excluded prayer from the Christian’s arsenal of weapons. All that remains is for people to embrace these vast promises by the means provided by God—prayer.
”“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, it is laying hold of God’s willingness.”
Hundreds of books on prayer line library shelves and thousands of sermons have been preached on the subject. Of all that has been said on the subject of prayer, Victor Hugo’s concise definition wonderfully relates the true meaning of prayer: “There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.” Prayer, then, is an attitude of the heart that humbles itself before a living God, silently declaring, “I need You.”
Rare is the Christian who boasts of personal peace but does not pray. Prayer is the path to strength, peace, and is also the very key that unlocks the peace of God. E. M. Blaiklock explains, “Prayer is vital.
It is the pathway to tranquility and strength of soul. A man’s prayers are the measure of his Christianity, understanding of spiritual matters, and experience of God. To fail in prayer is to fail in all else. Prayer is the place of testing and conflict; for prayer challenges all doubt, all disillusionment, all material, and cardinal preoccupation.”
