God answers prayers. This is the reason, David, the king of Israel and the psalmist exclaimed in excitement: “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.” Prayer is the means by which we fellowship with the Lord. It is the link between the creature and the Creator, the oppressed/captives and the Redeemer, the needy and the Benefactor. It is the channel by which the children and the Heavenly Father, the sinner and the Saviour, the impoverished and the Provider, the fainting and the Sustainer, the sick and the Great Physician interface. Prayer is the privilege of communication between heaven and earth.

If we must have the fullness and the glories of heaven in this depraved world, we need prayer. Through prayer, we ask and receive forgiveness from sin, salvation from guilt, grace, help, righteousness, strength, inheritance and the fulfilment of the promises of God. Prayer supplies strength, restores our losses, gives joy to the sorrowful and victory to the defeated. In the light of the foregoing, there couldn’t have been the need to pray “evening, morning, and at noon.” In fact, we need to pray always, without ceasing.

God calls us to prayer, and wants us to seek Him so that we will receive all the good things He has reserved for us. As believers, we are expected to pray everyday because of the journey ahead and the future glory we expect.

Shortly after his salvation, Apostle Paul set time apart to pray fervently to God because it had become obvious to him that he would suffer greatly for the cause of Jesus Christ. Without receiving divine strength, assurance and grace, he would not have been able to reach the lofty goal that Christ had set for him. Although God’s plan for us may seem greater and mightier than we ever thought, He will grant us the power to surmount the challenges of life if we ask Him for it in prayer. He responds to our petitions and gives us more than we ask, both spiritually, physically, materially and otherwise. But the priority of prayer is to settle our relationship with God Who is passionate and desirous about the relationship with His creatures. He wants us to settle our relationship with Him first by seeking peace, righteousness, joy and power in the Holy Ghost.

Sadly, prosperity, healing, material blessings and earthly pursuits have become uppermost for many believers. They do not recognise Christ’s words and His admonition that we “Seek… first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things (earthly treasures) shall be added unto (us).” In the sight of God, spiritual blessings and Christian experiences that prepare us for heaven are more important than material blessings. We should, therefore, be obedient to Him, by making His priority ours.

•Further reading (King James Version): Psalms 65:2; 55:17; Acts 9:9-11. Isaiah 1:12,16-20; Matthew 6:31-33; Luke 12:15-21; Mark 8:36; Hebrews 12:14. Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 28:1,2; 2 Chronicles 7:14; John 14:14-16; 15:7. James 1:5-8; Romans 4:20-22.