Prayer is the key to Christianity. Praying saves us, connects us, keeps us, and empowers us. It’s our link to God Himself!

14 For lack of guidance a nation [person] falls, but victory is won through many advisors [and one Main Advisor: the Holy Spirit!].

Somewhere along the way, we lost the main goal of salvation: The re-establishment of our relationship to God. This connection is designed to right what was wronged so long ago in the Garden of Eden. The fellowship between the Creator and the created was broken by sin. Jesus came to redeem us and to make it possible for humanity to be reunited to the Father through Him. Upon salvation, the Holy Spirit enters us and takes up residence. From that time on, our goal becomes making Him President over every area of our lives. The connection between us and Jesus is prayer–a conversation with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is continuous (to believe otherwise is to ignore His presence in our lives) and aligning (we align with His will). Is this pattern the pattern of our lives?

Consider the disciples when they came to a circumstance that they could not overcome.

Mark 9:14-29 (NIV) [14] When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. [15] As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
[16] “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
[17] A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. [18] Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
[19] “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
[20] So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
[21] Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. [22] “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
[23] “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
[24] Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
[25] When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
[26] The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” [27] But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
[28] After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
[29] He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

There are many “devils” that plague our society and our lives. Some are easy fixes, but most are not. The devil is strong—but we are stronger! How? Through our link with God through prayer and the Holy Spirit. Consider these verses:

1 John 5:4 (NIV) [4] for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Romans 8:37 (NIV) [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV) [57] But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:4 (NIV) [4] You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

It is connection with the Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit that gives us “the desire and the power to do His will.” Philippians 2:13. We connect through prayer; our Bible study is the language and the platform He uses to communicate with us.

This is why we pray… and study… and pray with others… and study with others… and pray alone… and study alone… and pray with others… and study with others… etc. If we want to be encouraged, then we need to pay attention to the One who will encourage us–the Holy Spirit. We also have those who challenge us to “up our game” in our study time and prayer time. The more we pray (especially together) the more we assume the attitude of Christ for those around us. I see it all the time in prayer groups. Be encouraged–and PRAY!

Abba, You tell us that through prayer we can have a personal, one-on-One conversation with You. That’s enough reason for me! I’m gonna pray! If I change in the process to look more like You and be more like Your Son, then so much the better. It is the reason I got saved. Have Your way in me. I am Yours! Amen.