Answer the call to Pray!
“Every believer may not be called to preach, but every Christian is called to PRAY. Prayer is our duty. Prayer is our privilege. Prayer, like air, water and food is necessary for our survival and growth. But many believers regard prayer as an optional activity” Larry Lea
There is power in intercessory prayer. I have been in ministry for the past 25 years of my life and I learnt through my journey in ministry that the only answer to everything in life, no matter how severe or traumatic the circumstances were, that Prayer was my only answer and still is today.
If you want to stop the devil pushing you around and keep him under your feet, you must learn to put on your garment of prayer day and night.
You need to pray a hedge of protection around you and your loved ones and all you hold dear. You must learn to overcome Satan in the place of prayer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony because if you neglect to do this, you will be overcome by the enemy.
The Word of God makes it unmistakably plain; if we are to take our place in God’s kingdom, with power and glory, then we must answer the call to pray!
In the gospels we can see, Jesus didn’t teach the people how to preach, he didn’t teach them how to sing or worship…He taught His disciples how to pray. Prayer was a priority for Jesus.
I would like to show you real experiences from the written words of Jesus, how He submitted and paid the price to the call of prayer….
1. Morning experience to pray.
In the beginning of Christ’s ministry, the Gospel of Mark chapter 1 and verse 35 NKJV says; “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
When you have a great need, or a great calling, or even an important meeting, follow the example of Jesus, He first met with His Father and consulted Him before making any life-changing decisions.
Jesus prioritized His life with prayer; He rose up early to have intimacy with His Father. It was His most important meeting of the day.
2. After great miracles, He went to pray.
After we see Jesus feeding 5,000+ hungry people, we read in Matthew 14:23 (KJV) - “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”
Jesus never took any honor for Himself after He did unheard of miracles, we see in the above scripture, he went to a place to pray alone.
3. He Prayed the Will of His Heavenly Father.
Towards the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we see another example of Jesus praying in Luke 22:39-40, 42 NLT “Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Jesus had a desire in Him to do the Will of His Father and They had a very intimate relationship. No matter how difficult the task was for Him, He denied Himself…and declared “Let Your will be done”.
4. Jesus’ passion for prayer is still active today.
The Apostle Paul, said that Jesus’ ministry in heaven is intercession.
Hebrews 7:25 AMPC - “Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.”
Still today, Jesus is honoring His call of prayer and intercession; praying for you and me continually.
These are such impactful and life-changing examples of Jesus passion for prayer. He made it His habit to pray, and taught others to pray His words as an example. Right now, He is extending to you the highest call of all …PRAYER!
His greatest desire is to see a generation rise up to pray and obey. It’s time to cry out to the Living God, “Lord, teach me how to pray!
Below is the greatest example and most powerful prayer you can ever pray, “The Lord’s Prayer” found in Luke 11:2-4 (NKJV).
“So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”
The Lord’s Prayer reveals what He has promised to be in us, and what He has promised to do for and through us.
Prayer will require discipline in your life and great sacrifice. The discipline I’m talking about will lead you into God’s holy presence and cause you to walk in kingdom authority.
I would like to encourage you to accept your highest call …Prayer!! He is longing to have communion with you. Let your answer be “Yes Lord, here I am!” And may Psalms 109:4b (TPT) become your reality, “I will pray until I become prayer itself.”
Forgive quickly
Love deeply
Ps.Lil ❤