Men Ought to Pray
Acts 6:3 (NLT)
“And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility – Acts 6:3 (NLT)
God has given us several promises in His Word that pertain directly to prayer. From these, we learn that it is clearly His will for us to pray. This is the way He has chosen to meet our needs. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3 – NKJV).
The great Apostle Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him because he clearly recognised the ‘need-meeting’ power of prayer. “…and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak “, he said (Ephesians 6:18-20 – NKJV).
Amazing spiritual power and authority, Paul recognised, are unleashed in response to intercessory prayer. Repeatedly he urged brethren to “…pray for us.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:25 and 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (to be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men).
Moreover, Peter the fisherman whom God had called to serve said to the lame man, “…Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” – Acts 3:6 (NKJV). Through prayer, a man who had been lame from birth was healed. Prayer has the power to bring God’s promises of healing to the afflicted.
David, the mighty warrior, a man of strength, full of courage, and fearless, especially in battle, faced danger with firmness by praying daily to God (Psalm 55:16-17). Even though He fled the palace of King Saul, frightened and alone, He did not remain alone forever. God provided the help he needed through other men born of the same courage.
Finally, as the nation of Israel cried out to God, He provided Gideon, a mighty man of valour, to deliver them from their oppression. My brothers, let us pray and never become discouraged despite the situation. Gideon proved God and so can we – Judges 6:1-14.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for upholding all things by Your power. Thank You for angels, Lord. Thank You for Your promises and guidance. Thank You for all those men in the Bible who listened for that still voice and walked in obedience, thus performing miracles, signs, and wonders. I pray the same for us now, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Read: Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 16:13
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 77:1-9; Acts 15:1-21; I Kings 9:10-28; I Kings 10; I Kings 11:1-13
Amen