When you study the life and ministry of Jesus Christ there was something Jesus could not live without and that was his relationship with the Father. He needed to talk to his Father. How did he do that? Through prayer! He needed guidance from his Father. How did he do that? Through prayer!
The Father made sure He didn’t send His one and only Son in the world to fail the world but to save the world. The Father made sure Jesus had everything he needed. His word, the Holy Spirit, and an open line of communication with His Father made possible through the gift of prayer!
If Jesus needed God’s Word, his Father, the Holy Spirit, and prayer to complete his mission, how much more do you think we need those things in our lives to complete the mission that God has given us!
Imagine if you became a person that knew how to make God’s Word the authority over your life; depended on the power of the Holy Spirit, became relentless in your love and desire to grow your relationship with the Father; and became a person of prayer knowing that nothing happens in heavens world that is not jump-started by prayer.
How different would your life be if you looked at prayer as a gift and not a spiritual discipline or something we do every now and then? Have you ever considered what a gift God has given us through prayer?
The purpose of prayer is to get the know the God of the universe, your Father, in a personal way by spending time with him, waiting on him, being in his presence and trusting him.
When you commit to a daily prayer life in full surrender to God you’ll become like Jesus in purpose and personality.
When you start shifting your prayer life by asking God to make you act like Jesus, love like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, bless people like Jesus, see people through the eyes of Jesus, than get ready, because your prayer life is going to soar to new heights.
But the greatest benefit and purpose of prayer is to grow your relationship with the Father.
You will never experience the power of prayer until you understand the purpose of prayer. That is why we are kicking off our critical prayer series tomorrow night at Encounter talking about “The Purpose of Prayer.”
I look forward to seeing you all there and I hope you will invite your friends and family.
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Encounter Pastor
bill@thehopeencounter.org