
Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.
Jeremiah 33:3 (The Message)
What a Privilege Prayer Is
There’s a Christian hymn that says what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. I’m asking myself if I consider it a privilege to pray or is it just something I take for granted. We have examples in scripture with many individuals who did not take prayer for granted and their lives were changed because of it.
- Psalm 3:4–6 David (when fleeing from Absalom his son) “I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke again, for the Lord sustained me.“
- Acts 16:25–26 About midnight Paul and Silas (in prison in Philippi) were praying and singing hymns to God and . . . suddenly there was a great earthquake . . . and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
It is a privilege to pray—to bring our needs, cares, and concerns to God. It’s also a privilege—and an obligation—to pray for others.
- Acts 12:5 says Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Then in verse 11 Peter says, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod.”
- Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. (1 Samuel 12:23)
- And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. (Job 42:8)
Prayer. What power. What a privilege.
Thank you so much for this very helpful reminder. It really is part of our “job” as Christians to.pray. Paul wrote “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4: 2).
Amen.