We are studying prayer on Wednesday nights at church. One quote the pastor used from Bob Russell was, “To build a Christian life without prayer is like building a house without nails, it just won’t hold together.” 1Timothy 2:1-8 says: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men–the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle–I am telling the truth, I am not lying–and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”
If I am understanding right…….prayer is essential. One question the pastor asked was: “What encourages you to pray?” Someone said, “answered prayer”. Is there anything that encourages you to pray?
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
thedailylily.com 
Tammy asked, what encourages me to pray? I would say knowing and understanding God’s promises like unto John 14:13,14…
A few months ago I shared with a friend that I thought she should ask her church if she could lead a women’s prayer time in her church. Then, I thought better of it and said maybe you shouldn’t based on being a woman and asking to do such a needful and powerful ministry. I see now this very church is teaching on prayer. I would say another reason I feel to pray is a deep desire I have in wanting to see God’s church grow and thrive. Wonder what this pastor would say if we shared our hesitant to talk about prayer with him?
From blog; “God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” If we do not pray for all people to be saved, wonder if they won’t and it would because there were no prayers?
“…wonder if they won’t …” This is a serious question. It seems there are a lot of conditional promises in God’s words…if you do this, then this will happen. it looks like we do have a responsibility for action and to uphold our part in this desire of God’s by making His desire ours and praying for all people to be saved.
So, Debi, what does encourage you to pray as Tammy and teacher on prayer asked?
“What encourages me to pray?” “ When I hear of the response Franklin Graham makes through the work of Samaritan Purse to areas as now, Philippines, I am reduced to a whisper of a prayer. When I watch the planes loaded, volunteers ready and off they go while I sit by my fire and enjoy food, Christmas Catalogues, computers, TV and whatever I desire, I am humbled to the point of what have I to give but jingle change and a weak prayer in the face of this wordless tragedy. I see a prayer request asking my jingle and whisper prayer to join with the church and my whisper at least has an audible sound. And my jingle turns into planes taking off, water, food and the giving of life. As Franklin Graham says; “This is a good example of Christians around the world reaching out and working together to help those in need,” Jim Walker, Deputy Director for International Projects at Samaritan’s Purse, said as the plane was being loaded Friday. “We can’t do this without partners. Another big thing our church partners are doing in America is praying. We need their prayers. We need their prayers to continue for the Filipino community.”
Yes, why does one pray?
‘What encourages me to pray?’ the teacher asks, This makes me wonder….do we put the horse before the cart or the cart before the horse? ‘If you will pray, says Jesus in John 17, I will ask My Father and He will send….or “the Father, in My name, will give you if you pray and He will. etc….”or ‘Now you won’t have to ask anything in My Name for it is the Father’s pleasure to give you ……”
Now, do I pray just because Jesus has asked me to? Do I pray because I will receive the precious promises, like Debi mentioned….and where are they? Do I nag the Lord over several months, years, decades about the salvation of my loved ones or the healing of my body..wondering if they will ever come or it will ever happen? Or like Sara taught this morning…..if I sit like a bump on a pew and ask the Lord over and over and over for the salvation of those I love but don’t move in their direction …..I am like the pagans with their “much-speaking” mentioned in the Scriptures.
I agree with the person who responded….first, .Answers to prayers encourages me to pray. Secondly, emotion prompts me to pray….a devastating scene, a miracle healing, a beautiful sunset bringing forth praise, a sad story of tragedy/loss, a friend in need.
What DISCOURAGES me from praying is unbelief… that my prayer will ever be answered.
“So, Debi, what does encourage you to pray as Tammy and teacher on prayer asked?”
Knowing God says to pray and the consequences of not praying is a motivator. Also, requests that relate purposefully to the church, CCI, I am a part of and The Daily Lily since I consider these my field to work in and be accountable to.
I agree, Debi. After thinking some more on it…….if we love Jesus Christ and the Father…we will pray because in the Word They have commanded us to pray, So because we love them we are obedient. If there were no other promises, no prizes, rewards etc. …..Yet, I must pray just because Jesus has asked me to. If I love Him I will obey and pray.
I quote a favorite author of mine…
“Christ, when there is no period, no Amen, when the rule of prayer is overthrown, when protocol and formality is but a luxury, when they seem irrelevant, tasteless on the tongue of desperate man….May Christ alone be your soul’s active and unending request.” Amen____David Teems.
Gary, myself and family saw the movie, Gravity recently. Gary mentions often in his Bible classes one scene that refuses to leave his mind and mine. A short phrase in the most tense time in the movie played by, Sandra Bullock, she felt her life was ending and said; “No one will mourn for me. No one will pray for my soul… I’ve never prayed… Nobody has taught me how…”
This movie has encouraged Gary and I to pray more and encourage others to pray and teach others to pray. Even the ones closes to Jesus said, “teach us to pray.”
What motivates me to pray? It seems that from a child I was motivated to pray as I sat at three and prayed for a grandmother who would not eat until I blessed the food. Later I climbed the attic stairs to be quiet and pray for others. Even later seeing little one old and young I prayed. I prayed for every classroom I ever taught in. Many times I have been nudged in the midnight hour to pray for someone who had a need. I would pray at times all night for the precious hand of the Lord to move in their lives. I at times would present a case to the Lord on the persons behalf asking God to reconsider and bring healing or open the way for that person. I KNOW Jesus answers. He has answered so many personal petitions as well. KNOWING He answers, I KNOW He will help someone else who is hurting, maybe not in the ways I would think. Sometimes He wants me to do something to be the hands, feet for HIM and that is part of Praying.
This morning as I was reading over a BSF lesson and when I came to the section of Matthew 9: 18-26 where the women with an issue of blood was addressed I was moved to tears by Jesus’s compassionate word to the woman. This woman knew if she could but touch the hem of His garment being an outcast due to the issue of blood she would be healed. She had to take a real risk to reach out to Jesus as an outcast she should not be there. Due to her faith and step taken she was healed instantly. When Jesus asked who touched me, she fearly came forward knowing all her flaws and knowing she should not have come there being an outcast. He reached down and called her “daughter” to comfort and reassure her. SO touching and caring of JESUS. If anyone can but touch the hem of Jesus’s garment for whatever area they need his healing touch prayer is worth it all. May all who come to prayer for others and/or themselves receive the healing in whatever area they need it in. May Jesus look down and say to you comforting words “daughter” / “son”.
Amen, Rena, let us reach out and touch the Lord!
Decision magazine
Great word from BGEA morning devotional: “We should pray like God wants to be prayed to. Teach us, Lord, how to pray.” … (Addendum: Paul provides a key when he tells us in Philippians 3:12 that, by faith, we can “approach God with freedom and confidence.”