What Is Prayer?

I remember a saying when they banned prayer from schools. We used to say there will always be prayer in schools, as long as there are tests in school.

What is prayer? We’re commanded to pray without ceasing. This strange activity in which we speak to an unseen God, One who we cannot see, hear, or touch. We make our requests to Him. No papers are signed, verifying what we’ve said. No voice responds to our prayers, telling us we have been heard. There is no confirmation that we have been heard at all. It is only by faith, that we believe that our prayers have been heard. The word tells us, these prayers are placed in golden bowls, held by the twenty-four elders.

These elders appear to have a place of authority. And what do they hold in their hands? Scepters? No, they hold our prayers in their hands, contained in golden bowls.

This activity of prayer, even Jesus Christ did it.

Luke 22:32 “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail, and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Jesus is talking to Peter, telling him that Satan has asked to sift him like wheat. So Jesus tells Peter, “…I have prayed for you…” Jesus-the One who walks on water. The One, whom even the winds and seas obey Him. Jesus, God in human flesh, is saying He prayed for Peter. An activity, that seemingly, would be for us alone. Jesus is saying He prays for us.

Prayer is so powerful, the Apostle Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. Jesus prays for Peter. When we pray, our prayers are placed in golden bowls held by the twenty-four elders.

Through our prayers, believers have access to the very throne of God. The God who loved us, and gave Himself for us, now listens to us. He takes everything we say: all our requests, cries, pleas, and puts them in golden bowls.

Often, through prayer, we are in a humble state. Usually, asking God to help us, whatever that may be. We cry out to Him. He asks us to cry out to Him. “Lord help me…”

1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

God is listening. God can hear us. The heavens are not made of brass like we feel they sometimes are. He answers our prayers before we even utter the prayer.

1 John 5:15 “And is we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”

There is no problems too big for God to solve. There is no sin too big for God to forgive. All believer’s prayers are heard by God. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. So pray. Pray without ceasing. Cast your cares upon God, because He cares for you!