Just as food, water, oxygen, and warmth are vital to the wellbeing of the body and education is vital to the welfare of the mind, prayer is vital to the soul. Without prayer the soul will starve as the body will starve without nourishment. While public prayer is important private prayer is essential. In private prayer our only listener is God and we don’t have to tell lies to impress anyone. We can be completely honest. We might as well be honest because He knows all about us. If we study nutrition so that we might eat right, should we not also study prayer?
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. They watched Him. They saw the hours so spent. Jesus wants us to tap heavenly resources so He has given instructions. He said, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
We get so excited about asking for anything we often miss the key, which is that the Father be glorified. So often the things we ask for are for our glory, our prosperity, our selfishness. We fail to think how our request will affect the Kingdom. Jesus also said, “How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?” John 10:44
I am so busy wanting you to think highly of me, I forget my purpose is to be a servant and the servant’s assignment is to honor the Master.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 24, 2003.
Spring of Life, 901 Signorelli Circle, St. Helena, CA 94574