Teach us to pray-17

Prayer is far more important to God than to most of us. Why? Why do most men reveal that prayer is the weakest element of their faith? Shouldn’t the fact that Jesus taught us how to pray, gave His own examples of praying, and also gave us numerous examples of others praying.

Paul provides us with much instruction and examples.

Ephesians 6:18  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 

Here Paul is instructing us to pray at all times. To be persistent in our prayers and to pray for other of the saints i.e. fellow believers.

6:19  and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 

Here we find Paul asking others to pray for him. He wants the words, the opportunity, and the boldness to share the gospel wherever he goes. Paul never seemed to lack boldness but here we find him needing boldness. The world is against us and certainly was against him. Even Paul can tire and feel exhausted. Yes, even he could use some prayerful encouragement.

6:20  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

Here is some insight to his need for boldness. He is in a Roman jail cell and in chains! We have a very hard time realizing what this cell and chains were really like. No bathrooms, no running water, sometimes even no real light or window. Certainly no parole officer or attorney trying to get him released until his actual trial. This could be years of imprisonment before he would stand before Caesar.

Do your prayers sound like this? Do you pray often throughout the day? Do you have a quiet, somewhat private place within which to pray? Do you lack boldness? Do you lack perseverance? Are you persistent?

More next Saturday.