WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PRAYER?

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PRAYER? is a question that we all should consider seriously, and contemplate upon it earnestly. Many approach prayer as some kind of a formula, or a ritualistic routine, that helps them gain access to God and all His power. “Do this” “Do that” and “Don’t do this” “Don’t do that” becomes the guiding force for their prayer life, to get whatever they want. Prayer is not such a thing.

Prayer, as can be seen, is we communicating with God. We seeking God for grace, mercy and help in times of our need. If we realise the significance of prayer, we realise that it holds everything together, in our life. Hence, prayer should become our main stay, and not a supplement only in times of need. Prayer strengthens us and sustains us through any and every situation, that we may encounter in our lives. Prayer, as we understand it, is essential, is powerful and is indispensable for a Christian’s spiritual growth and progress. 
– “Is prayer your steering wheel, or your spare tire?” – Corrie ten Boom
– “If your day is hemmed in with prayer, it is less likely to come unravelled.” – Cynthia Lewis
– “What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.” – Corrie ten Boom
– “When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles, When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devils shouts for joy.” – Corrie ten Boom

We are called to approach God in PRAYER at all times. We must pray with our hearts filled faith. We are to have a time and a place – a divine appointment with God our Creator, our LORD and our Redeemer – with regards to prayer. We are creatures of habit. Therefore, we should make prayer a habit, for it is good and helpful habit.
– “Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it.” – Corrie ten Boom
– “When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words be without heart.” – John Bunyan

After we pray, we must TRUST God to answer us, in HIS TIME and in HIS WAY. *We should learn to leave it in God’s hands, with this faith that, God would do whatever is good and best for us, including He choosing to delay our answer, and many be also, deny our prayers altogether.* We should stand on this firmly.
– “To pray is to accept that we are, and always will be, wholly dependent on God for everything.” – Timothy Keller
– “The amount of time we spend with Jesus — meditating on his Word and his majesty, seeking his face – establishes our fruitfulness in the kingdom.” – Charles Stanley

Here under a a few verses from the written Word of God, the Bible, which help us realise the significance of prayer, its blessings for our lives, and its progress.
– “13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:13-16
– “10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” – Daniel 6:10

May we never neglect prayer. May we never underestimate the significance of prayer. May we never take prayer for granted. May we always run to God in prayer, and seek Him earnestly, with all our hearts. May we find the joy of seeking our LORD Jesus in daily prayers.
– “18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” – Psalm 145:18-19
Even so, the LORD help us.