And they prayed…. Acts 1:24
Prayer is a significant part of the life of a believer; and we are called to pray. As the body needs oxygen (air), food and water to maintain life, so as believers we need prayer and the word to sustain our spiritual life. Prayer is communion with our Heavenly Father. Not only do we speak to Him, but He also speaks to us.
As you read the scriptures you see the importance of prayer in the life of God’s people. Even Jesus, though He is the Son of God, when He was on earth, He communed daily in prayer with the Father. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed, (Mark 1:35). During the time of prayer, there is a connection of divinity with humanity. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, (Acts 1:14). And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting, (Acts 2:1-2).
Prayer may look simple, and at times one may wonder about the effectiveness of prayer, but we know that there is power in prayer. Prayer changes things. In the book of James 5 we learn of the effects of prayer. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, (James 5:16). To put it simple, the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Is anyone among you afflicted? Pray! Is any among you sick? Pray! Do you need direction? Pray!
Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. (James 5:17-18 NLT). One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, (Luke 3:21).
We are admonished throughout scripture to always pray. Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, Ephesians 6:18. Continue in prayer, (Colossians 4:2). Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man, (Luke 21:26).
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak, (Matthew 26:41).
PRAY!
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