The Urgency And Necessity Of Having a Consistent And Meaningful Prayer Life

Before we delve into the topic, let us trust the Lord to help us and make this moment the beginning of a consistent and meaningful prayer life developed in us. We need to consider a few questions to help us gain a better understanding.

1. Is prayer a gift granted to men or something the Lord imputes in us as part of our life?

2. Is prayer a duty, an act, or a life?

3. When do we begin to pray?

4. How do we have a prayer life?

5. Is it possible to have a consistent and meaningful prayer life?

To answer these questions, we begin by saying that prayer is not just a gift, but it is a life that comes upon all those who have been saved by Christ. The life of Christ, though not compartmentalized, is a life of prayer, and anyone who has been saved has this life imparted unto him.

In Acts 9:11, we read: “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth.”

This means that if a man does not have a passion, desire, or love for prayer, he may not have encountered Christ or is being blurred by the desires of this world. When Paul was saved, he immediately possessed the life of Jesus, of which prayer was a part, and he began to live that life.

There are two possibilities when it comes to a person’s relationship with Christ. The first is that they have encountered Christ and have been given the gift of life, but due to laziness and neglect, the life dies in them. The second is that the individual has not received the gift of life at all and is like one who has the form of Christianity but without the power.

This is what sets apart those who are truly saved. In just six months, committed prayer can elevate a person to great spiritual heights with God, while others may remain stagnant for twenty years and only be able to recite Bible stories without experiencing God’s presence.

Prayer is not just a gift; it is a life that is imputed in us by Christ Jesus when we are saved. Is prayer an act, a duty, or a life that must be lived? While prayer can be seen as an act or a duty, it is more than that; it is a life that becomes a part of us. It is the fulcrum of every Christian, the pillar that holds everything together. I believe that prayer is supposed to be a lifestyle, especially since the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.

So, what are the things that can make a person see prayer as an act or a duty? It doesn’t matter how much biblical knowledge a person has (their Rhema), if it does not lead them to prayer, it has achieved nothing in their life. Reading the Word gives us knowledge about God, but it is through prayer that we truly know Him.

If we only place prayer as a priority on our daily to-do list, we can easily change priorities when something else comes up. However, when prayer becomes a value and a way of life, it is our only life with no alternative. Some people think that they can do many things without prayer, failing to realize that prayer is the fountain that waters our entire life. Once it dries up, such a person is spiritually dead.

Regarding the questions raised above:

Prayer becomes an act or a duty when our prayer life is sick. Just like when a person is sick or bedridden, life becomes a burden and they may even wish for death. Similarly, when prayer becomes an act, it becomes a burden to us and we start replacing it with other things like singing or watching Christian movies. This doesn’t mean that these things are sinful, but they can’t take the place of prayer.

Many of us see prayer as a burden and check the time as if there’s a timer in heaven. We attend parties and watch football without complaining, but when it comes to prayer, we find it difficult. Prayer should be a fountain from where all our heart flows, not just a means to make requests. It is intended to be a fellowship, alignment, and establishment of the will of the Father.

Prayer can become an act or a duty when we become self-indulgent or unstable. We may fail to see the value of prayer, like Samson, who after his victory, cast away the bones he had used to defeat his enemies. Prayer can also become a burden when past victories make us feel like it takes away our time and doesn’t fit into our schedule anymore.

Is prayer a gift that is granted to us or something that the Lord imputes in us as part of our life? Is it a duty, an act, or a life? When do we begin to pray, and how do we have a prayer life? Is it possible to have a consistent and meaningful prayer life?

We often put everything in our schedule except prayer, but prayer should not be on our schedule – it should be our life. We spend hours running from one place to another, losing touch with ourselves and our spiritual lives. When does a child begin to live? In the same way, when we are born again, prayer should be part of our life from the beginning. It should be a natural and consistent expression of our relationship with God.

Some people might say that they start living when they’re born into the world, but for me, I believe that a child begins to live the day he or she is conceived. Similarly, prayer starts the day Christ conceived us within Him.

Romans 8:30 says, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Those whom God called, He glorified, and prayer is part of this glorification.

Galatians 4:19 says, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” Here, the “travailing” is prayer. If prayer brought you into the world, then only prayer can sustain you and help you finish strong.

So when someone asks, “If I am not praying, does that mean I have not been saved?” the answer is this: Sometimes, we know we must pray to grow as Christians, so we put prayer on a daily to-do list. But as we get to know Christ more, prayer becomes a part of our life. It becomes as natural to us as sleeping.

There are two possibilities if you’re not praying. First, you might have encountered Christ and been given new life, but due to laziness, the life dies in you. Second, you may not have received new life at all, and you’re like the one who has the form of godliness but not the power.

Our prayer life begins the day we’re saved. Examine yourself and ask if you’ve been praying and growing. In my experience, I’ve never seen a successful pilgrim who wasn’t prayerful. Show me any man featured in God’s Generals who wasn’t a prayerful man. Prayer is the life of Christ; it is His heartbeat. If you call yourself a Christian but you do not pray, then I am sorry to tell you that you do not have the life of Christ in you. Prayer is the gauge that measures a Christian’s growth.

It is easier to pray when we understand that it is a fellowship with God, not just a time to ask for things. Prayer is the most precious thing for a saint, and if it is your precious thing, then it is your life- the most valuable thing for every person.

Revelation 5:8 tells us that the prayers of saints are like golden vials full of sweet-smelling odors. Is prayer a gift that is granted to us, or is it something that the Lord imputes in us as part of our life? Is prayer a duty, an act, or a life? When do we begin to pray?

It is possible to have a consistent and meaningful prayer life, but discipline and God’s grace are required. We need to start by keeping a schedule to meet Him daily until it becomes a part of our life. It is like expecting to reap fruit from a tree without watering it.

There are Christians who want to make it to heaven after experiencing Salvation, Sanctification, and Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but they are not concerned about the details. If it is just about making it to heaven, can we relax and pray corporate prayers? The truth is that they cannot sustain their experiences to heaven without prayer.

So, how can we nurture a prayer life until it grows and becomes strong? We need discipline and God’s grace to start and to keep to a prayer schedule daily. Praying consistently is essential because no genuine Christian can sustain the life in Christ without prayer. Many who claim to have experienced Salvation, Sanctification, and Baptism of the Holy Spirit soon find themselves in fornication and adultery because they do not pray. Prayer is not only about asking for things but also about growing in our fellowship with God.

No matter how much theology you know, without prayer, you will stumble. It’s like trying to reap fruit from a tree without watering it. No real Christian can sustain their life in Him without prayer, which is why many are losing faith. Even those who claim to have experienced salvation, sanctification, and baptism of the Holy Spirit can fall into sin without a consistent prayer life. Prayer is not just about asking for things; it’s about receiving the life of God within us.

The pathway to heaven is not easy; it’s a rough journey, full of obstacles to overcome. But if we don’t have a strong prayer life to sustain us, we won’t make it. A prayer schedule is like fasting; it keeps our flesh under control and helps us stay disciplined.

As Christians, we are disciples of Christ, and self-denial is a crucial part of our journey. Without denying ourselves for one or two hours of prayer, our prayer life won’t grow. However, discipline alone is not always enough. Many people make resolutions on January 1st and forget about them soon after. To deepen our prayer life, we must first deepen our love for God. If we desire God like the Psalmist in Psalm 42, then discipline becomes much easier.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” To deny oneself, we must first love God with all our heart, mind, and soul. One of our songs says, “The soul that would live close to Jesus, is he who spends time in prayer, although it may not always please us…”

Staying in the secret place for a long time is not easy, but we must persist, avoid sleeping, concentrate, and wait until God grants grace and power to pray. Sometimes, we struggle for a long time before we get the fire to pray. In essence, the time of struggling needs discipline to wait, concentrate, and guide the mind. These are disciplines we must maintain.

Of all the things God requires from man, the most important one is love. Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

We must have the love to follow. Peter followed, Andrew followed with utmost love, and then we began this discipline. We are no longer for ourselves; we have left all for Him. No one becomes anything in God without discipline. The word discipleship comes from discipline.

Your love for God will be the sustaining cord to hold you in the place of prayer.

• Is it possible to have a consistent and meaningful prayer life?

Before we answer, let us ask, is it possible to live a meaningful and consistent healthy life? If the answer is yes, it means it is possible to live a meaningful and consistent prayer life. I believe that if it were not possible, Christ would not have mentioned it, nor would the scripture have recorded it for us.

In Luke 18:1, Christ tells us, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” The word “always” tells us about consistency, and “faint” depicts meaningfulness to me.

• How do we grow our love for God?

Also, note that the sentence was structured to show that “always” comes before “fainting.” It means that being always before God in prayer sustains continual growth, and fainting can only come if we allow it. How can we increase our love for God?

• One way is to reflect on His mighty works and all that He has done for us. Just as we can choose to focus on the positive qualities of people we love, we can choose to focus on the goodness and beauty of God’s creations, which can lift our hearts to love Him more. However, this kind of love is only possible for those whose hearts have been transformed by God, as a wicked person cannot see His goodness and beauty.

• Fellowship with other believers who love God can also inspire us to grow in our love for Him. As the Scripture encourages us, we should not forsake the assembly of the saints. Meaningful prayer and immersion in the Word of God can also transform us and transport our love for God to higher levels.

We are currently facing urgent and pressing challenges, such as the collapse of the world around us, rising ungodliness, and the loss of Christian unity, marriages, and love. In the face of these challenges, God is calling us to prayer and to stand in the gap as His faithful servants. We must be like the Apostles who gave themselves to prayer and were sold out to it. Through prayer, we receive the light to illuminate the darkness of this world. If we are Seekers of God, we must rise to the challenge and give ourselves to prayer continually. Let us not be like Saul, who ignored the warnings and grace of God and did not yield himself to Him.

 IF YOU FAIL TO PRAY, YOU MIGHT BECOME THE NEXT CASUALTY OF THE DEVIL! I challenge you to rise up, you who are the arm of Christ! AWAKE! and let prayer be your earnest desire.

Let it be your life; let it be your number one priority. May the Lord raise up an altar of prayer for you and me. The Daily God Seekers Prayers are for your growth. It is like water that the Lord wants to pour upon you so that you may bloom!

I beseech you to join us as we make PRAYER OUR PRIORITY! Let us bow down our heads and pray to God that He will help us to love Him and bring back our altar of prayer in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER

Lord, our prayer is that we will not be too familiar with You in such a way that we belittle Your admonition. May we give ourselves to prayer whether it is convenient or not. In Jesus’ name, Amen.