Scripture: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” – Jeremiah 33:3
Examination of song: William Walford is remembered as a blind lay preacher, who memorized large portions of Scripture that he would use in his sermons. In addition to the Bible, Walford would “write” poetry in his mind, and on one occasion, he recited the words of this hymn to a friend, who transcribed the poem. It wasn’t until several years later that the poem was put to music by William Bradbury, the same hymnwriter who composed the music for “Jesus Loves Me” and “Just As I Am” and many other well-known hymns.
Application: Recent studies revealed that the average time spent in prayer daily by Christians ranges from 1-7 minutes. Finding time to pray does not come easy, as distractions commonly interrupt the intent to commune with God. However, the reality is that even though prayer is often taken for granted, every Christian needs to realize that there is divine power in prayer, and the privilege it is to avail ourselves of the opportunity to communicate intimately with the Lord.
Prayer can be done wherever, whenever, and however we want. God is always accessible; that’s a Biblical truth. Psalm 55:17 states, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Unfortunately, because of the ease of God’s accessibility, there is no urgency to pray. We pray when it is convenient, necessary, or expected.
But what if we couldn’t pray? What if God was only accessible periodically? What if, like Queen Esther, we had to wait to approach our King until He summoned us? And how would it feel to not be summoned for extended periods of time? Imagine what it would be like to have to wait for an unknown period of time to ask for God’s help?
Thank the Lord, none of those situations is how it is for Christians. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple, that separated the “holy of holies”, wherein was God’s presence, from the other areas of the temple, was torn in half from top to bottom. The significance of this event was that access to God was no longer reserved for the priests, but anyone could now come to God at any time. “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” (Matthew 27:51). God bids us to come to Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 has a very simple command, “Pray without ceasing.”
Lastly, think about the One to whom we pray.. the One who desires to hear our voices as it infers in Psalm 66:19, “But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.” It is the Creator of the universe, the One who spoke into existence the tiniest microscopic organism to the enormous planets and stars to everything in between, who desires to hear what is on our hearts. It delights Him when we share our hopes, fears, dreams, worries, questions, and whatever else we harbor within us with Him.
Prayer is essential in our practice of faith. Here are a few important reasons why we need to cultivate a passion for prayer.
1. Prayer helps us resist temptation.
- Jesus urged His disciples to pray to help them fight temptation.
- “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” – Luke 22:40
2. Prayer brings peace to our souls.
- Paul explains the necessity of praying for everything.
- “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
3. Prayer builds faith.
- Jesus teaches that seeing God answer our prayers helps our faith to grow.
- “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” – Matthew 21:22
4. Prayer brings us closer to God.
- David writes about the Lord and His greatness, and how God will hear the prayers of the righteous.
- “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18
5. Prayer engages God’s mercy, grace, and help.
- The writer of Hebrews explains that Jesus understands all of our struggles in life because as man, He experienced them as well, and thus is ready to help us when we call out to Him.
- “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16
6. Prayer praises the Lord.
- The Psalmist encourages us to praise God always and for everything.
- “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” – Psalm 150:6
7 minutes a day isn’t much, but just imagine what 15, 20, or even more minutes would do when you spend that time engaging the power of the almighty God in your life! Jeremiah 33:3 has often been called “the phone number of God”. Why not give Him a call, and then make a concerted effort to keep in touch with Him every day!
Memory Verse: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” – Hebrews 13:15
Stretching your thoughts:
1. What steps can you take to make your prayer life more meaningful?
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear to him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face, believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
(from “Sweet Hour of Prayer” by W. W. Walford)