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Is Prayer Worth It?
How important is prayer to you? Is prayer “spiritual spinach” for you or a “holy hot fudge sundae”? When you hear someone talk about spending hours in prayer, do you wonder what they pray about – are they really big sinners, do they know a lot of sick people, are they asking for world peace?
In this passage, we see that Daniel prayed a lot – publicly. Everyone knew he prayed three times a day. He certainly had a close relationship to God – God spoke to him very specifically. He had a lot to be grateful to God for – he was the second man in the kingdom, even though he was a captive foreigner. As we can also see, Daniel’s position and power caused jealousy among very powerful enemies. So, given his situation, and the law which made his prayer illegal, what do you think Daniel prayed? Did he pray for deliverance, for strength, for victory, for God to be glorified? Was he mostly just listening? What was so important that he kept praying at the risk of his life? Think about it – would you have kept praying, but in secret? Would you have stopped praying for a few weeks? What would have happened to Daniel if he had not prayed?
Of course, we don’t know what would have happened if Daniel had not prayed, but we do know what happened because he did pray. Daniel was thrown into a den of lions. As the king said, God, whom Daniel served continually, rescued him. Daniel prospered. Daniel’s enemies were destroyed. God was glorified.
So, what about you and me? What happens if we look at prayer not as a wish list, or thinking out loud, but as a way to worship, to glorify God? Would prayer be more important? Would we be so excited about prayer that we couldn’t stop encouraging others to (gulp) pray with us? Would we look forward to a focused time of prayer? Would praying in front of other people become easier? What would CCC look like if we all were enthusiastic and committed pray-ers? Hmmm….maybe I should spend some time today talking with and listening to) God about prayer…
Kim,
Good questions – I have wondered the same things. Your conclusion that we might not have so many questions about prayer if we prayed more is spot on.
In your volunteer work I am sure you’ll have the opportunity to talk to a struggling parent, maybe a single mom, about Jesus and about prayer.
Kim, thanks. The quuestion that got me thinking was What was so important that he kept praying at the risk of his life? Think about it – would you have kept praying, I am thinking about it and it is that prayer is my lifeline to normal. That is why I would have kept praying and do pray. God grounds me and keeps me safe and secure (two things women feel are important.) I am growing toward making prayer more about worship and less about lists. I am not there yet. The ACTS; A-adoration C-confession T-thanksgiving S-supplication helps but I spend more time on C and S then I do on A and T.
I don’t know what I would do with out prayer. Oh-wow-you can’t imagine what prayer has gotten me thru. Sometimes when I pray I am not real organized. I might be in the car, in the shower, in the grocery store and if that is where I need to pray I DO!
I feel like my prayer is what is importat not where I pray it.
I just stop what I am doing, have my quiet time, say my prayer and then go back to it. I can’t tell you how many times a day I do this. I might hear a song, see something, or a thought crosses my mind of a prayer I need to pray. Even though Daniel prayed 3 times a day, I bet he snuck in a few extras!!!
God WANTS to hear from us. He NEEDS to hear the good, the bad and the ugly. He just WANTS us to COMMUNICATE. I agree with Nike — Just Do It. It’s such a beautiful, wonderful, freeing feeling to talk to God. He awaits and longs for our words.
The hightlight is the response — sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. Ah yes — that’s another prayer ” Okay God –
now grant me patience.” And see it just keeps going on and on!!
My other views of prayer are: Try it — You’ll like it
What have you got to lose
Hey — God is good all the time AND all the time God is good.
Have a blessed and beautiful weekend!!!
Kim you have reminded me again of the power of prayer and the great need to pray without ceasing. I am also fascinated by the kings faith. He could of turned the law around(?) but as he said to Daniel….. May your God rescue you.
Lord, please, PLEASE hear our prayers.
Go to youtube.com see Jars of Clay video Oh My God.
i think it’s worth.