It Really Matters Whether or Not You Pray
It Really Matters Whether or Not You Pray
Week 1, Day 1
Do you believe that it really makes a difference whether or not you pray? Do you believe that if you pray, God does things that He will not do if you do not pray? After all, isn't God sovereign? Isn't He just going to do it whether you pray or not?
This is an issue you and I have to settle in our hearts and minds if we're ever going to have a consistent prayer life. You see, if you don't believe that prayer is absolutely a means by which God works in your life and through your life—if you don't believe it matters whether or not you pray—then you're never going to be able to consistently overcome the obstacles our enemy puts in your way as he tries to stop you from praying faithfully.
Having a consistent prayer life is hard work, but it's more than hard work—it is a spiritual war. So you and I must be convinced that it really makes a difference. Over and over in the Bible, God gives us many verses and promises where He says it matters when you pray—that when you and I pray, God promises to act, and when we don't pray, there are some things God does not do.
God not only gives us many promises, but He also gives us powerful illustrations from the lives of great saints in the Bible where He came through in answer to their prayers. One of those promises is found in James chapter 5, verses 16 to 18:
This is an issue you and I have to settle in our hearts and minds if we're ever going to have a consistent prayer life. You see, if you don't believe that prayer is absolutely a means by which God works in your life and through your life—if you don't believe it matters whether or not you pray—then you're never going to be able to consistently overcome the obstacles our enemy puts in your way as he tries to stop you from praying faithfully.
Having a consistent prayer life is hard work, but it's more than hard work—it is a spiritual war. So you and I must be convinced that it really makes a difference. Over and over in the Bible, God gives us many verses and promises where He says it matters when you pray—that when you and I pray, God promises to act, and when we don't pray, there are some things God does not do.
God not only gives us many promises, but He also gives us powerful illustrations from the lives of great saints in the Bible where He came through in answer to their prayers. One of those promises is found in James chapter 5, verses 16 to 18:
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crop.
God said it really matters if you pray. The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. Then He says Elijah was just like you—a man just like you—but when he prayed, it didn't rain for three and a half years. He prayed again, and the rains came. It's easy for us to think, “Well, Elijah—of course.” But God says no, Elijah was just like you, yet when he prayed, it made a difference.
And so you and I need to be convinced that when we pray, God says it makes a difference. So pray today with confidence that God is at work when you pray.
And so you and I need to be convinced that when we pray, God says it makes a difference. So pray today with confidence that God is at work when you pray.
APPLICATION:
Any thought that makes you think your prayers won’t make a difference is an attack from your enemy.
Pray something like this...
“Heavenly Father, you have told me in your Word that it makes a difference when I pray. I confess to you that I don’t understand exactly how my prayers and your sovereignty work together, but you, oh Sovereign Lord, tell me that it makes a difference when I pray. So help me to live by your truth and not my feelings. Enable me to identify the lies of the enemy that hinder my prayer life. Change my prayer life over the next five weeks and increase my faith that you use my prayers to make a huge difference.”
Pray something like this...
“Heavenly Father, you have told me in your Word that it makes a difference when I pray. I confess to you that I don’t understand exactly how my prayers and your sovereignty work together, but you, oh Sovereign Lord, tell me that it makes a difference when I pray. So help me to live by your truth and not my feelings. Enable me to identify the lies of the enemy that hinder my prayer life. Change my prayer life over the next five weeks and increase my faith that you use my prayers to make a huge difference.”
Posted in Advancing the Kingdom Daily Devotionals