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What is prayer? Is prayer essential for a healthy Christian
life? The Apostle Paul’s amazing conversion in Acts 9 states
one act Paul did as he awaited the arrival of Ananias: “for,
behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9:11).
This specific prayer received a special mention by the Lord
Himself. Being a religious Pharisee, Paul must have prayed
often to God since his youth. Yet none of these earlier
prayers were mentioned in the Bible. Paul in his conversion
prayed a heart-felt, sincere prayer of a true born-again
Christian.
Prayer is a means of seeking the face of God. On his way to
Damascus, Paul fell down before the light and asked: “Who
art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5). This question was moving
and profound. Through the ages, man has always asked “Who is
God?”, “Where is God?” The answer, as the Lord gave Paul: “I
am Jesus” (v. 5). Through the Lord Jesus Christ, men can
come unto God. The Lord revealed Himself to Paul when he
prayed, and He confronted Paul both with his deeds “Jesus
whom thou persecutest”, and the futile emptiness of
Paul’s heart “it is hard for thee to kick against the
pricks.” (v. 5) Through this, Paul knew that Jesus was
God, because only God could know his heart, his thoughts,
and call him by name (Acts 9:4). In the same way, prayer
brings us to God, to know Him. God, who is Lord of all,
knows our hearts and deepest desires. We can commit all unto
Him in prayer.
Prayer is also a means of knowing the will of God. After
Paul believed that Jesus who spoke to him was God, he asked
what God would have him to do (Acts 9:6). This was an act of
self-surrender by Paul to the will of God. The Lord did not
immediately tell Paul his whole purpose, but His will was
clearly set out before Him. In Ananias’ vision, God
revealed: “he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel”
(Acts 9:14). God’s sovereign will is clearly known
beforehand by Him. We need not worry for Him to direct our
paths for He knows the way. Through prayer, we know what
step to take next, trusting in Him.
Prayer is also every Christian’s obligation. It shows
devotion to God and marks a life that is set apart for God.
Jesus our Lord instructed that “men ought always to pray,
and not to faint” (Luke 18:1), which Paul later echoed
in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” After
his conversion, Paul himself later wrote numerous epistles
to the churches at Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, in which he
prayed fervently for them.
In addition, prayer is also a church’s obligation. Praying
makes the visible church to be more like the church of Jesus
Christ, which is a “house of prayer” (Matt 21:13). It
is not a house known for its activities, or multitudes of
members. Good works can become solely ‘humanitarian’, and
not focusing on God if there is no prayer involved. Prayer
is essential to keeping God in view.
Finally, prayer is also intercessory. Abraham interceded on
behalf of Sodom (Gen 18:23). Paul interceded for the
churches he founded. Most of all, our Lord Jesus was a Man
of prayer who interceded for sinners around Him right until
His death on the cross, where He prayed for those who
crucified Him (Luke 23:34). He is risen once and for all to
intercede for us (Rom 8:34). Hence, we should not
underestimate the power of intercessory prayer. Praying for
others powerfully moves us to empathise with another person.
We are encouraged to pray for each other in church.
In conclusion, prayer is a powerful tool both with God and
man. Prayer moves God toward man, and reveals to man the joy
and uplifting of spirit when drawing close to God. Have you
experienced a sweet hour of prayer today?
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