The Necessity of Prayer

By Felicien Ekoume 

One of the greatest dangers that we Christians put ourselves in, is the neglect of prayer. We may sometimes become comfortable when things are going fine in our lives, so much so that prayer is barely thought of. And even when prayer comes to our mind, we are too lazy to take a moment to talk to our Maker and Provider, the source of our joy, the Author of our happiness. Then before we realise it, something happens to bring us back to reality: Sad news, an accident or bereavement, are constant reminders of life’s frailty, and our urgent need for the abiding presence of the Spirit of God. 

God is not the author of unfortunate events and circumstances that occur in our daily lives. The Bible teaches that the Devil comes to“steal, kill and destroy” but “Jesus has come that we may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). God in His infinite wisdom, who knows the end from the beginning, and has promised “never to give us more than we can bear”  (1 Corinthians 10:13), sometimes allows situations to come in our lives in order to redirect our thoughts toward Him, the Creator of the universe, the Master Healer and the Protector

Prayer is not an emergency call only that we should make in times of need.

It is the most important element from which our lives depend. Not that without prayer we will always be miserable, or that with it things will always be fine, but the one who prays, sees and reacts to situations differently. It’s in prayer that we draw our daily portion of strength and courage to face life’s challenges and circumstances. It’s in prayer that we find hope to help us see beyond the impossible, and Faith to believe in the eternal.

Prayer is the most powerful Christian weapon. Those who are fully aware of the spiritual battle we are engaged in, never take a moment of rest, for in doing so they will give to the Devil a foothold in their lives, and that’s all that he needs for he “walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

The enemy of souls, the Devil, never takes a moment of rest – he knows that he has but a short time. He is constantly seeking new ways to entangle the souls of men, especially of those who neglect the privilege of prayer. His temptations are more and more subtle, so much so that it has become almost impossible to see the difference between truth and error, or understand the Devil’s tricks without the Spirit of the living God. “The natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. Neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Satan exults when he sees men and women, children, entire families, neglecting the importance of prayer; had it not been for the mercies of God, the enemy would have “sifted us as wheat.” (Luke 22:31) “It is by the grace of God that we are not consumed.” (Lamentations 3:22) Our Lord declares that He “takes no pleasure in the death of the one who dies,” (Ezekiel 18:32) but it is our neglect of prayer that brings our guards down, and puts us in the enemy’s line of fire, whose ultimate goal is to put an end to our very existence. 

We should lift our eyes up to God in prayers daily, not merely because we want something, but because He is our EVERYTHING. Once we understand the importance of prayer in our lives, our attitude towards it changes from just an emergency call to a DAILY NECESSITY. 

Let us Pray

Heavenly Father we thank you for your daily protection, from dangers seen and unseen. We pray that you continue to teach us the importance of prayer, and help us to surrender ourselves to you daily, and become more and more like Jesus. In the most holy and precious name of your Son we pray, Amen.