Another vital practice to develop is that of prayer. Having reminded us
that there is “one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; who
gave Himself a ransom for all”, Paul drives home the practical result of
understanding Christ’s work: “Therefore I desire that the men pray every
where ... without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:5-8). “For we do not have a
high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one
who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:15,16
NIV).
Really appreciating that Christ is our personal High Priest to
offer our prayers powerfully to God, should inspire us to regularly pray in
faith. However, prayer should not just be a ‘wants list’ presented to God;
thanksgiving for food before meals, for safe keeping on journeys etc. should
form an important part of our prayers.
Just placing our problems before
the Lord in prayer should, in itself, give a great sense of peace: “...in
every thing (nothing is too small to pray about) by prayer ... with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds” (Phil.
4:6,7).
If our prayers are according to God’s will, they will surely be
responded to (1 Jn. 5:14). We can know God’s will through our meditation
upon His Word, which reveals His spirit/mind to us. Therefore our Bible
study should teach us both how to pray and what to pray for, thus making our
prayers powerful. Therefore “If ... my words abide in you, you will ask what
you desire, and it shall be done for you” (Jn. 15:7).
There are many
examples of regular prayer in Scripture (Ps. 119:164; Dan. 6:10). Morning
and evening, with a few short prayers of thanksgiving during the day should
be the pattern we adopt and move on from.