DAILY DEVOTIONAL ✝️ 

The Power of Prayer

When I was a “workin man” I was asked a few times to speak at various organizations on the National Day of Prayer.  I was honored to do so!  I spoke at various churches, police stations and fire halls.  It was encouraging to see the number of Americans showing interest in prayer.

 

President Harry S. Truman proclaimed a National Day of Prayer to be observed on July 4, 1952. The observance was moved to the first Thursday in May by President Ronald Reagan and has been proclaimed each year since.

 

Prayer is not only the most common faith practice among American adults (79% have prayed at least once in the past three months), it’s also one of the most complex and multifaceted. The Bible speaks of numerous kinds of prayers such as supplication, intercession, faith, etc. Different traditions and denominations tend to emphasize certain kinds of prayer over others, or even develop and build upon those laid out in scripture. Perhaps the only consistent thing about people’s prayers is that they are different!

 

Americans do not think about approaching prayer in any kind of homogenous way.   A study from Barna reveals the diverse prayer habits of American adults. In our congregation, we have a “singing and prayer night” at a Wednesday service.  I find it very useful and encouraging.  If you aren’t coming to that, you should!

 

Why do you pray?

American adults who pray with regularity do so with varying motivations, the most common being to offer “gratitude and thanksgiving” (62%). Generationally, this is lowest among Millennials (53%) and highest among Boomers (71%). An equally popular prayer incentive is the “needs of their family and community” (61%), followed by “personal guidance in crisis” (49%).

 

“Prayer is by far the most common spiritual practice among Americans,” notes Roxanne Stone, Barna’s editor in chief. “The vast majority of Americans—no matter their religious affiliation or non-affiliation—participate in some kind of prayer activity. Barna has found this to be true consistently over the last several decades. The numbers have barely changed from year to year.

 

Prayer is incredibly powerful and transformative. It is one of our most effective tools we have to combat the devil’s schemes. I must admit I’ve struggled to have a consistently strong prayer life, even though I know how impactful and necessary prayer is. Hopefully these scriptures can help us have a revival in our prayer lives.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

Matthew 26:41

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

John 17:15

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

 

Prayer is our tool to fight against the devil’s schemes. The devil is a lion looking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8), we need this shield of faith and prayer to protect us.

 

Remember to continue to pray even if it seems like “it’s not working”. Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up. Prayer is not like flipping a light switch. Like Jesus said in Luke 18:1, we have to pray and not give up.  Revive your prayer life!! ~jme

 

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:🤔 “I’m still waiting for God to answer my prayer”….. often means you just didn’t like His answer.