Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’” NASB

I want to illustrate and identify some misconceptions regarding prayer to identify its power, purpose, and importance in the Christian’s arsenal of Spiritual Weapons.

IT IS OFTEN MORE COMMODITY THAN AN ACTION.

What I mean by that is that in our generation, prayer seems to be viewed as something that can be manufactured, marketed, microwaved, and served as needed.  I am all for virtually every effort to get people to pray, but I am convinced that if people truly understand the dynamic of prayer and its power and purpose, they will pray! 

Some people seem to feel that prayer is like an item on the shelf in a grocery store.  We turn to prayer chains, calendars, days, and nights, rotating praying, sending money for others to pray for us, and even having dial-a-prayers. 

I am not suggesting that those are bad.  My question is, “How much do we actually pray ourselves and for ourselves?”  Too often, people specialize in a ‘word of prayer’ or ‘recite a canned prayer’ rather than actually engaging in the work of prayer!

It is apparent that most understand the need for prayer, but do we understand the dynamics of prayer and pray?  I heard an illustration years ago that illustrates what I am saying:

There was a wealthy widow on an Ocean Liner en route from England to America.  A severe storm developed, and she used her influence to access the bridge, where she demanded that the Captain do something.  He responded, “Ma’am, everything that can be done has been done. We are now in the hands of God; we can ONLY pray.”  Upon hearing that, she gasped: “Captain, has it come to that!”  Then she fainted in fear.

Prayer should never be a ‘last resort’ but the ‘initial reaction’ or ‘action.’  Prayer is not an ‘appeal’ to Heaven’s Supreme Court. It is a conversation with our LORD.  It is communion with God, not simply conforming to a Law.  It is not getting ‘from’ God. It is getting ‘to’ God.  Our problem, too often, is that we are so involved in the natural world that we do not avail ourselves to the spiritual world.  We can easily see the natural but are blind to the spiritual. 

Some seem to believe that while prayer is somewhat profitable, they are unconvinced about its power and vitality. Therefore, it occupies a relatively low position on their list of priorities.  It is more of a ‘break the glass in case of emergency’ endeavor than a daily and regular engagement.

We have more to say but will hold further thoughts until tomorrow. 

May God bless and be with you as you go through your day!