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Pray
R. A. Torry
One of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith is that God wants us to talk to Him about everything that is going on in our lives, even though He already knows everything. So why pray?
If you’ve ever wrestled with that question, perhaps the thoughts of the 19th-century preacher R. A. Torrey can help. Among the reasons he gave for prayer are these:
- Because there is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to resist Him (Eph. 6:12-13, 18).
- Because prayer is God’s way for us to obtain what we need from Him (Lk. 11:3-13; Jas. 4:2).
- Because prayer is the means God has appointed for us to find “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
- Because prayer with thanksgiving is God’s way for us to obtain freedom from anxiety and to receive “the peace of God” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Besides these reasons, it’s enough to read the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” and realize that God wants us to talk with Him. Yes, He is all-knowing, but He also desires our fellowship. When we seek God’s face in prayer, we strengthen our relationship with Him. That’s the most important reason to pray. —JDB
Our Daily Bread, November 25, 1998
Ways to Pray
Dr. Charles Stanley, pastor of a large church in Atlanta, Ga., has suggested ten ways to pray for leaders who occupy the highest offices in the land.
1. Pray that they would realize their daily need for cleansing of their sin by Jesus Christ.
2. Pray that they would recognize their personal inadequacy to fulfill their tasks and that they would depend upon God for knowledge, wisdom, and the courage to do what is right.
3. Pray that they would reject all counsel that violates spiritual principles, trusting God to prove them right.
4. Pray that they would resist those who would pressure them to violate their conscience.
5. Pray that they would reverse the trends of socialism and humanism in this nation, both of which deify man rather than God.
6. Pray that they would be ready to sacrifice their personal ambitions and political careers for the sake of this nation, if yielding them would be in the best interest of their country.
7. Pray that they would rely upon prayer and the Word of God as the source of their daily strength, wisdom and courage.
8. Pray they would restore dignity, honor, trustworthiness, and righteousness to the office they hold.
9. Pray that they would remember to be good examples in their conduct to the fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters of this nation.
10. Pray that they would be reminded daily that they are accountable to Almighty God for the decisions they make.
Excerpted from the Rebirth of America, Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation
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