Rhemalogy

This is a repost from two years ago that I felt was worth revisiting. — The other morning, while reading Instagram posts, found one that was so interesting and inspiring—just had to share it with our loyal readers.

“Pray because Christ died to give us access to the Father. Pray because God is worthy of our praise. Pray because we need His forgiveness, cleansing, guidance, and protection. Pray because others need our prayers.” — Billy Graham

William Franklin Graham Jr., known to many as Billy Graham, was a prominent evangelical Christian figure and one of the most prolific and influential Christian leaders of the twentieth century. He was a man of good moral character, who felt this statement, about prayer, was very important for us.

Just for a moment let’s look at these four points:

Pray because Christ died to give us access to the Father. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV) And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…(Matthew 27:50-51 NKJV) Up until that point, man had no access to God, only the priest did. But Jesus, being our High Priest; sacrificed His life to make a better way for us. This is why He is able to say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 NKJV)

Pray because God is worthy of our praise. After being freed from 400 years of bondage in Egypt, walking through the Red Sea on dry land, and seeing Pharaoh’s army destroyed; Moses sings, “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them. You in Your mercy have led forth The people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation. (Exodus 15:11-13 NKJV) The Prophet Isaiah declared, “O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” (Isaiah 25:1)

Pray because we need His forgiveness, cleansing, guidance, and protection. We are all sinners (Psalm 51:5 KJV) saved by the finished work of Christ on the cross. Cleansing comes with forgiveness. Therefore, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9 NKJV) And we need God’s guidance and protection more today than ever before. The Psalmist writes, “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. (Psalm 34:6-7 NKJV)

Pray because others need our prayers. Interceding on the behalf of others is pleasing to God. Isaiah 59 drives this point home. Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him. Jesus always answered the intercessors. Remember Jairus who pleaded for his sick daughter? (Matthew 9:18-26 NKJV) or the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant? (Matthew 8:5-13 NKJV) You can search the Bible and find many more stories of how Jesus answered the intercessor’s prayers.

I like what Pastor John Hagee said, ” Why Pray? Because God answers prayer. As powerful as God is, God cannot answer your prayer until you pray it. The Bible says whatever you bind on earth, I’ll bind in heaven. (Matthew 16:19 NKJV) The Book of Isaiah says “Command ye Me.” (Isaiah 45:11 KJV) This is God speaking to man. Because in prayer He has given you the authority to launch the initiative.”

Another good reason to pray. Because God can do in one second what we could never do in a lifetime.

Jesus never turns his back on those who call upon him but receives them with open arms. Even if you find yourself in a deep pit of despair and darkness, he will be the light and the helping hand to lead you out. By his love, you are set free.

Prayer: Father, help me get my focus back on You. I know I need to stop dwelling on my hurts and frustrations. Help me to be faithful in prayer and to put my hope in You. May the Holy Spirit guide, strengthen and comfort me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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