Prayer Moves the Hand That Moves the Universe

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16–17)

We cannot imagine any believer in Christ thinking, “We need to pray less.” If anything, we all know that we need to pray more about everything!

The apostle Paul wrote the above passage, and he also wrote Romans 12:12 from which we read: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” The NASB has: “be devoted to prayer.” Devotion and constancy say essentially the same thing; therefore, prayer should be something that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, should be devoted to and constant in: no matter the circumstances of life (good or bad). Prayer should serve as the framework and foundation for our lives. We eat without ceasing, and so the Christian should pray without ceasing.

Jesus commands us to pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). This shows us that prayer is not always easy, and certainly not always about ourselves: we will do well to notice that the Lord didn’t say pray about those who persecute us, but to pray for them. This indicates that we’re praying for their benefit. Ultimately, as the apostle Paul instructs: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1–4).

Prayer is so important that the apostle Paul often requested prayers from Christians from all over the world (Rom. 15:30;  2 Cor. 1:11; Eph. 6:18–20; Php. 1:19; Col. 4:3;  1 Thess. 5:25;  2 Thess. 3:1; Phm. 1:2).  If prayer was essential to an apostle, then certainly it should be essential for us, too.

Maybe we feel like we don’t know how to pray. Even here our heavenly Father has taught us how through His Son, our Savior, and through the Holy Spirit’s help: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom. 8:26–27).

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:1–4).

Prayer is communication; and communication through prayer to God through His Son (John 14:13; 15:7, 16; 16:23) is communing with, or being in fellowship with Him. If we busy ourselves in prayer to our heavenly Father, then we will be less likely to stumble (2 Peter 1:5–11;  1 John 1:5–7).

Through prayer we have access to the greatest Friend anyone could have; we also have bold access to “the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).