When Prayer Isn’t Optional

The truth of the matter is that we all need continual prayer for every facet of our lives. To live a life without prayer is to walk aimlessly with no destination. Prayer is what allows God to direct us in the way we should go. It is our sacred time to be in communion with God in the name of Jesus. When we’re plagued with uncertainty or confusion, we can seek clarity through prayer. However, it’s important to remember that prayer is not a one-and-done engagement. We must continue to pray and keep our faith in God to be who He is – a loving and faithful God who always keeps His promises. Now, God’s plans and our plans are not always the same, so we must be careful and keep our faith in check as He makes His plans known to us. This is exactly why prayer and faith go hand in hand in guiding and sustaining God’s sheep.

Prayerlessness forces us to operate from an empty cup, drained and unsustained. Prayer is how we seek the presence of God. When we pray, we pray in the name of Jesus in order to stay in communion with God, inviting Him into the midst of where we are and what we’re going through. You see, we have to understand the limitless power of prayers of faith. We can meet uncertainty with prayer. We can meet oppression with prayer. We can meet injustice with prayer. God acknowledges our trust in Him and will give us the grace and direction we need to sustain us through all things.

And with the state of the world as it is, sustenance is something we all desperately need. We may find ourselves feeling oppressed, overwhelmed, tired, and beaten down by the constant stressors of life. New stories of more innocent, unarmed black men being killed senselessly have burdened the hearts of black and brown communities in this country. It is prayer that will give us the grace to overcome whatever we may face! Prayer is what will renew our hope and our encouragement. Prayer will reveal what God is calling us to do to be a part of the solution.

Beloved, it is not only a necessity to pray continually, but a privilege, honor, and clear instruction from our Heavenly Father. We can trust and believe that when we present our requests to God, He hears them and He will honor them according to His plans for us. When we pray, we must give God room to be who He is and work in our lives and this world.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV