Prayer

In the Word, we listen to God’s voice, and in prayer, God listens to our voice. Prayer involves praising God, making requests of God, pouring out our hearts to him, and interceding for others. On our own, we should not be allowed to enter the presence of God. In our sin, we should not have God’s ear. But through his blood, Jesus has opened a way for us to enter the presence of God: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus not only paves the way for prayer, he also provides a perfect model for a praying life. While he was on earth, Jesus constantly withdrew from the crowds and went to his Father in prayer (Luke 5:16, 9:28, 22:41, etc.). His prayerfulness demonstrated his constant dependence on the help of the Father. If Jesus was constant in prayer, how much more do we need to pray as his disciples? That’s why Paul instructs us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We should pray as often as we need God, and we need God always. Developing such a constant prayer life requires steadfastness through our wavering circumstances and feelings: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).

As we behold Jesus in prayer, day by day, we become more and more like him. “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

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