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THE FOUNDATION OF A BELIEVER’S LIFE

As a believer, it is incumbent upon you to build your relationship with God. A relationship is built on effective communication. In Christ, we have the gate pass to reach our father in heaven. Jesus Himself set us an example in word and deed. His life was a life of prayer. He embodied God yet, He, in his human nature understood the essence of being in sync with His Father.

Jesus Christ taught his disciples to pray, healed people with prayers, denounced the corruption of the temple worship (which, he said, should be a “house of prayer”), and insisted that some demons could be cast out only through prayer. He prayed often and regularly with fervent cries and tears (Heb. 5:7), and sometimes all night. The Holy Spirit came upon him and anointed him as he was praying (Luke 3:21–22), and he was transfigured with the divine glory as he prayed (Luke 9:29). When he faced his greatest crisis, he did so with prayer. We hear him praying for his disciples and the church on the night before he died (John 17:1–26) and then petitioning God in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Finally, he died praying.

On the death and crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples prepare for the future by being “constantly in prayer” together (Acts 1:14). All church gatherings are “devoted . . . to prayer” (Acts 2:42; 11:5; 12:5, 12). The first church was founded on the power of prayer. Each step taken by the church was preceded by prayer, in difficulties; the church prayed and was always victorious.  When you go to the house of God, the essence is to pray. A church without prayer is nothing more than a simple gathering without any heavenly purpose.

The power of the Spirit descends on the early Christians in response to powerful prayer, and leaders are selected and appointed only with prayer. All Christians are expected to have a regular, faithful, devoted, fervent prayer life. In the book of Acts, prayer is one of the main signs that the Spirit has come into the heart through faith in Christ. The Spirit gives us the confidence and desire to pray to God and enables us to pray even when we don’t know what to say. Christians are taught that prayer should pervade their whole day and whole life—they should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

Prayer is the key that unlocks your potential. Prayer is what you need and require as a believer. The scripture is filled with prayer. Wherever God is mentioned in the bible, there is prayer too. Prayer and God go hand in hand. I pen off by praying that through this article, your life will be transformed once you understand and take hold of the power of prayer.  Prayer must be the most important aspect of your walk with God and in life.

(Adapted with excerpts from a Prayer life by Tim Keller)

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