How to Pray Like a Disciple
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
Prayer is our greatest Christian privilege but—we may as well admit—our greatest Christian failure. We all need to learn to pray more and to pray better. But one of the reasons we don’t pray more than we do, is that we have questions about prayer. We’re not sure what’s right and what’s not, so we become uncertain. Our uncertainly leads to less prayer.
But if we’re going to impact our families, nation, and world, prayer is where we should begin. Just a causal glance at the book of Acts confirms how the disciples totally depended upon prayer. Just before Jesus ascended back to Heaven, He left them with The Great Commission and told them “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). True to His command, “They returned to Jerusalem…to an upper room” and “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…” (Acts 1:12-14), waiting to receive the Holy Spirit.
They didn’t make a move without seeking God through prayer for His guidance. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer” they said (Acts 6:4).
In these difficult days when there is such need for prayer—needs in our families and needs in the nation—are you making prayer a priority every morning as you begin your day? This commitment takes determination and discipline. If those who walked alongside our Lord for three years were dependent upon prayer, how much more so are we? What a grave mistake if we’re casual about our prayer life.
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