Does It Pay To Pray?

“These all with one mind, were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”  Acts 1:14

Hey Gang:  Why pray?  Now before you answer that question I want you to picture yourself before a trial of justice and your life is being determined by your answer.  If you can prove that prayer is the way to the throne room of heaven, you live and if it does not you die. 

Does that sound crass? Think for a moment, is that not the way it is?  Jesus taught that prayer is the essence of our faith in our Abba Father and the true connecting line in fellowship with Him.   Jesus never did anything without seeking the Father’s counsel and strength and He was perfect in all ways.  Is that not a witness to us that we should do likewise?

Paul challenged us to “Pray without ceasing”, and while you are at it, “In everything give thanks”.  Why? Because “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  I Thessalonians 5: 17-18.

I believe one of the very tragic statements of the Bible occurred on the night the battle over the cross was fought in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The agony of what was to transpire was so overwhelming that Jesus’ blood flowed from His pores.  And, throughout that fateful evening the disciples were catching some “z’s”   Not once or twice but three times.    Jesus question to them, and to us, “Can you not watch with me one hour?”.  Mark 14:37.

Soooo, my young friends, have you answered the question?  Why pray?  Jesus said to his disciples that night when they could not watch with Him for one hour, “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”.  Matthew 26:41.

Prayer is that link that keeps our relationship with the Father strong and vibrant.

Blessings,

Gramps