The Importance of Prayer

The importance of prayer in the lives of God’s people cannot be overstated.  God has designed prayer to be the vital means by which His power is appropriated for the daily demands of “walking worthy” as His beloved children.  In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul models the importance of prayer (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21), and he exhorts the ongoing practice of prayer (Eph. 6:18-20).  Prayer is indispensable!

 

Dr. James Rosscup, from The Master’s Seminary, has written an excellent article entitled “The Importance of Prayer in Ephesians”  (you can find it here).  I’ve mentioned this article before, but it’s so good I want to commend it to you again.  Dr. Rosscup highlights how prayer is inseparable from victory in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-20), simply declaring:  “The closet is crucial to the combat.”  (pg. 69)

 

Beloved, prayer is a great gift and kindness from our sovereign God!  Even as Paul was incentivized to pray in view of God’s rich blessings in Christ (Eph. 1:3-14), we should be as well.  And as we keep growing in the individual and corporate practice of prayer, so we’ll sing with King David:

 

Blessed be the Lord,

Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

And with my song I will praise Him.  (Ps. 28:6-7)

 

Seeking Him with you, and for you,

Greg