40 Days of Prayer - Day 11
Even though most Christians believe prayer is important, many don’t understand why prayer is really necessary. Many question, If God is sovereign and able to carry out His will, why do we need to pray for Him to do what He already wants and plans to do anyway? Some reason that prayer is primarily for our benefit, but God is still going to do what He wants, whether we pray or not. The idea is popular that it’s a “privilege” to pray but not really necessity for God to carry out His will on earth. The truth of the matter is that it is necessary for God’s children to pray. Why else would Jesus tell us to pray that God’s will be done?
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9,10).
If believers do not pray, God’s desires will not be carried out in this earth.
Genesis records the Creation of this world and humankind:
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:26,27).
The Hebrew words translated likeness and image indicate that God created humans in many ways like Himself.
God did something else when He created man. We are told in the above verse that God gave “dominion” over this world. The Hebrew word translated dominion means “to rule,” or “reign,” over. As Go’s representative, Adam was to be the ruler of this world:
“And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it, and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15).
Adam’s responsibility to “keep” the earth meant he was to protect it from anything that would do harm. Adam was to be God’s authoritative representative on earth. He was to be the earth’s watchman, or guardian.
The psalmist further describes the position God gave man at Creation:
“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour” (Psalm 8:5).
Looking again at the original Hebrews words translated glory and honor, we find that man was given authority similar to that of a king’s reigning authority. Hence, we see that at Creation the earth was put under Adam’s authority. What happened on earth depended on Adam.
Prayer is necessary, because from the beginning God intended to work through humans, not independent of them, in carryout out His will on earth. God works through the prayers of His people. When God wills to do something on this earth, it is necessary for humankind to pray that God will do it. Many examples of this are found in both the Old and New Testaments. We are to ask that God’s “will be done in earth” (Matt. 6:10). We are to ask God to “give us this day our daily bread” (verse 11).
As Jesus saw the great need of the multitudes, He asked His disciples to make the following request to the Father:
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:36-38).
God wants to send forth labourers into the harvest fields of this earth. However, it is necessary for the Christian to ask Him to do this.
Paul asked believers to pray for the advancement of the gospel:
“Finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thess. 3:1).
All of the things listed above are God’s will; but it’s necessary for man to pray for them because prayer releases God’s power to carry out His will on this earth. Remember, it is God’s plan to through humankind, not work independent of us. Your prayers are essential for God’s will to be done in your life and in the lives of those for whom you pray.
PERSONAL REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
Since God is “God,” and has the power to do whatever He wants, isn’t He going to carry out His will, whether we pray or not? Why, or why not?
What responsibility did Adam have when it came to God’s will being done on earth?
What God wants to do something on earth, what is it necessary for the Christian to do?
Is prayer a necessity, or is it just a privilege?
How do you think Satan feels about your prayer time with God?
PRAYER ACTIVITY
Call you prayer partner and discuss this devotional with him/her.
Pray with your prayer partner:
• for God to continue to baptize each of you with His Holy Spirit
• for God to give you a clear understanding of the necessity of prayer
• for the individuals on your prayer list
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING BIBLE VERSE IN YOUR PRAYER:
“Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law” (Psalm 119:29, NIV).
Turn me from my sinful ways. Show favor on me that your name may be glorified.
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9,10).
If believers do not pray, God’s desires will not be carried out in this earth.
Genesis records the Creation of this world and humankind:
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:26,27).
The Hebrew words translated likeness and image indicate that God created humans in many ways like Himself.
God did something else when He created man. We are told in the above verse that God gave “dominion” over this world. The Hebrew word translated dominion means “to rule,” or “reign,” over. As Go’s representative, Adam was to be the ruler of this world:
“And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it, and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15).
Adam’s responsibility to “keep” the earth meant he was to protect it from anything that would do harm. Adam was to be God’s authoritative representative on earth. He was to be the earth’s watchman, or guardian.
The psalmist further describes the position God gave man at Creation:
“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour” (Psalm 8:5).
Looking again at the original Hebrews words translated glory and honor, we find that man was given authority similar to that of a king’s reigning authority. Hence, we see that at Creation the earth was put under Adam’s authority. What happened on earth depended on Adam.
Prayer is necessary, because from the beginning God intended to work through humans, not independent of them, in carryout out His will on earth. God works through the prayers of His people. When God wills to do something on this earth, it is necessary for humankind to pray that God will do it. Many examples of this are found in both the Old and New Testaments. We are to ask that God’s “will be done in earth” (Matt. 6:10). We are to ask God to “give us this day our daily bread” (verse 11).
As Jesus saw the great need of the multitudes, He asked His disciples to make the following request to the Father:
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:36-38).
God wants to send forth labourers into the harvest fields of this earth. However, it is necessary for the Christian to ask Him to do this.
Paul asked believers to pray for the advancement of the gospel:
“Finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thess. 3:1).
All of the things listed above are God’s will; but it’s necessary for man to pray for them because prayer releases God’s power to carry out His will on this earth. Remember, it is God’s plan to through humankind, not work independent of us. Your prayers are essential for God’s will to be done in your life and in the lives of those for whom you pray.
PERSONAL REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
Since God is “God,” and has the power to do whatever He wants, isn’t He going to carry out His will, whether we pray or not? Why, or why not?
What responsibility did Adam have when it came to God’s will being done on earth?
What God wants to do something on earth, what is it necessary for the Christian to do?
Is prayer a necessity, or is it just a privilege?
How do you think Satan feels about your prayer time with God?
PRAYER ACTIVITY
Call you prayer partner and discuss this devotional with him/her.
Pray with your prayer partner:
• for God to continue to baptize each of you with His Holy Spirit
• for God to give you a clear understanding of the necessity of prayer
• for the individuals on your prayer list
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING BIBLE VERSE IN YOUR PRAYER:
“Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law” (Psalm 119:29, NIV).
Turn me from my sinful ways. Show favor on me that your name may be glorified.
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