30 Day Prayer ChallengeSample

DAY 3: THE COMMAND TO PRAY

In Luke 11:2, as Jesus was about to instruct the disciples on how to pray, He began with, "When you pray." Notice that Jesus said, "when" and not "if."

We are commanded to pray. Prayer is a demonstration of our obedience to God. It is one the essentials of the Christian life. Prayer is also an opportunity to receive from our heavenly Father all that He desires to give.

It is amazing to me that we struggle in the area of prayer when God has promised so much. When you and I arrive at heaven's gate someday, no doubt we will be shocked by our lack of faithfulness as it relates to prayer. We will see firsthand the vast storehouse of blessing God had reserved for us, if only we had asked for His intervention in our lives. "You do not have because you do not ask." James 4:2 reads. What a fitting reminder to pray while we still have life left to live! Indeed, nothing good, nothing great, nothing lasting, nothing holy can ever happen apart from prayer.

That is why prayer should never be a sideline habit for believers. Prayer should not just be a ritual performed at the beginning of a family meal. We are to pray, persistently and passionately in dependence and in obedience. And let me be clear, if you are not praying, there is no way you can ever grow as a Christian. Without prayer, there is no way you will ever truly know God intimately. Prayer flows out of a life connected to Christ. And prayer also connects our life to Christ.

Pause for a moment and think about your prayer life. Are you communicating with God regularly through prayer? If not, when was the last time you prayed? What do you think is standing in the way of your praying more often? In your prayer time today, ask God to give you an even deeper desire to pray.

Find peace, purpose and strength with Jesus in prayer.