Abounding in Prayer

I find myself continuously coming back to the subject of prayer. We’ve talked about its importance to us and to our community in the past, but lately I’ve seen it permeate everything I’ve been doing. Prayer doesn’t just change things; it changes people. It shapes you. I’ve seen firsthand how my heart has softened as I pray for those that I didn’t like, got along with, or disagreed with. I’ve seen God move and do things because of prayer taking place for people and circumstances that are half a world away. We forget that prayer isn’t just for personal friends, family, or ministries we intimately know. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,” We pray over our city, our neighborhood, other cities, over you, other ministries, other churches, and on and on. Prayer is the foundation for what we do. It’s also for our benefit. Hebrews 4:16 reminds us “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” The first thing the apostles did after Jesus’ ascension was go back and pray. I urge you to continue to cultivate your prayer life just as we are doing here in France. We pray because we need to. We pray because we want to. We pray because we must.