Whether you are a Christian or not or even whether you believe it or not, Prayer is necessity. When we pray, we do so in faith, believing God’s Word that He will both hear and answer our prayers. Scripture tells us, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
Interestingly, this week it was reported that some Christians and non Christians were debating whether or not prayer should be offered for the 74-year-old atheist and biologist Richard Dawkins; with some people refusing to pray but rather wishing him a speedy recovery and commending science and medicine for saving his life.
Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion had a “minor stroke” last week, and although he is expected to make a full or near full recovery, he has had to postpone his tour to New Zealand and Australia.
As believers in the power of prayer, we commend people into God’s hand seeking divine physical and spiritual healing, provision, guidance and direction, in accordance with the Word of God.
There is a saying, ‘prayer is not a “spare wheel” that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel” that directs the right path throughout ‘ – unknown. Martin Luther said, ‘To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing’.
As we face each day and the week ahead, we may have various experiences, highs and lows. Regardless, let us not use our Heavenly Father as a ‘sugar daddy’; but as the Scripture commands us, let us ‘come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need’ (Hebrews 4:16). This week; let us pray!