Prayer
Prayer is a powerful form of communication. The power of prayer does not come from the language in which it is spoken. The power of prayer does not come from the eloquence of the speaker. The power of prayer lies in the relationship between man and God. It is only God to whom it is permissible to pray, and only God has the power to answer prayer. God conversed directly with Adam in the Garden of Eden. One such conversation is recorded in Genesis chapter three where God approaches Adam and Eve to question their disobedience. (Genesis 3:8-10) After the birth of Enosh, Adam’s grandson men began to call upon the name of the Lord. “And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 4:25-26 NKJV)
“Calling on the name of the Lord” appears to have included both worship and appealing to God. God appeared to Isaac in Beersheba to renew the promise made to his father, Abraham. “So he (Isaac) built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD,” (Genesis 26:25 NKJV) During the testing of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah instructed the prophets of Baal to “call on the name of your gods” while Elijah would “call on the name of the Lord.” The God who answered by fire would be proven to be God. (1 Kings 18:24) David professed his love of and commitment to God because God listened to and responded to David. “I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 118:1-2 NKJV)
Ultimately, calling on the Lord would result in salvation. “And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” (Joel 2:32 NKJV) This is the same prophecy Peter reveals was fulfilled on Pentecost, the day the church was established. Acts 2:16-21 The Apostle Paul confirms that the church contains saints who call on the name of their Lord. “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:” (1 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV)
James states that the prayers of the righteous are very effective. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 NKJV Peter acknowledges that God hears the prayers of the righteous. “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers.” (1 Peter 3:12 NKJV) Even the Pharisees recognized that one must be righteous to have God hear their prayer. “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.” (John 9:31 NKJV)
There is comfort and security knowing that God will listen to our requests. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, 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 through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV) A life in service to God affords many blessings and a multitude of reasons to be thankful. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 NKJV)