DID YOU THINK TO PRAY

DID YOU THINK TO PRAY?

This is the title of a hym= n (#848) in our songbook, but it also asks an important question. The words of the s= ong are as follows:

Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray?

In the name of Christ our Savior, Did you sue for loving favor,

As a shield today?

When you met with great temptation, Did you think to pray?

By His dying love and merit, Did you claim the Holy Spirit,<= /p>

As your guide and stay?

When your heart was filled with anger, Did you think to pray?<= /p>

Did you plead for grace, my brother, That you might forgive another,=

Who had crossed your way?

When sore trials came upon you, Did you think to pray?

When your soul was bowed in sorrow, Balm of Gilead did you borrow,

At the gates of day?

Chorus:<= /p>

O how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day;

So when life seems dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.

As Christians, do we fully realize the power of praye= r? James writes, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for = one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteo= us man avails much” (James 5:16). He goes on and recites Elijah as an example. Elijah’s prayers were answered and ours will be as well. A few years ago there was a popular song with the line, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.” = For the faithful Christian, I do not believe there is any such thing as an unanswered prayer. The answer man be “No,” or “Not now,” or something similar, but it is still an answer.

Do we fully realize the blessing of prayer? “Le= t us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and = find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We can approach God’s throne with confi= dence because we are in Christ and we have Christ as our High Priest. In Luke 11,= one of Jesus’ disciples asks the Lord to teach them to pray. In response, Jesus said, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Yo= ur name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is = in heaven” (Luke 11:2). Notice Jesus said we are to address God as our Father. What a blessing to be able to call the Creator, the great and power= ful God of heaven, “Father!”

Do we fully realize the importance of prayer? “= [P]ray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” (1 Chronicles 16:11). “Be anxious for nothing, b= ut in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests= be made known to God;” (Philippians 4:6). Prayer needs to be a vital, re= gular part of our lives.

Did you think to pray?

--Lamar