An article in a newspaper reported about a 15-year-old girl who sent and received 6,473 cell phone text messages in a single month. She says about her constant communication with friends, “I would die without it.” And she is not alone. Researchers say that US teens with cell phones average more than 2,200 text messages a month. This ongoing digital conversation offers a remarkable illustration of what prayer could and should be like for every follower of Christ. Paul writes in Philippians 1 Verse 3, "I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy."
The Scripture is where God communicates with us, while prayer is where we communicate with God. It is a two way channel for our daily living. Paul seemed to be constantly in an attitude of prayer for others: “[We] do not cease to pray for you” (Col. 1:9). “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
Prayer connects us with God. Prayer is the only way for man to recognize sin and ask for forgiveness. It is throug prayer that one brings the anxieties of the heart to God Prayer is the ultimate way that a believer can show his/her thanks to God for what God has done and continues to do in life. We can find prayer describe, explained and illustrated all throughout the Bible. The most prolific demonstration of prayer is in the life of Jesus Christ.
Prayer also is a means to worship God. Prayer described as a sweet smelling sacrifice in the Bible. "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2). The incense was a symbol of the prayers and intercession of the people going up to God as a sweet fragrance. Prayer has a smell or odor to it. Noah’s sacrifice is called sweet. “And the LORD smelled a sweet savor; and the LORD said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake” (Genesis 8:21). The Levitical burnt offering is said to be “a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto the LORD” (Exodus 29:18).
A Girl in Irvin Texas claims that she can smell something others cant, Her words “I smell God” when there is potential of Hurricane, Thunderstorm or lightning in the weather forecast. She was born premature, at 24 weeks, doctors said that they had no hope and asked familty to arrange for funeral. But after two months in the hospital, she was discharged and is living a normal adult life now. Her pastor says, she is actually smelling God, because while she was in the hospital she was lying in the bosom of God, so she knows what God smells like. For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish” (II Corinthians 2:14,15). “Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2). “And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints” (Revelation 5:8).
Prayer connects us with people. Martin Luther said that his heart was filled with love for his fellowman because of prayer. Prayer not only connects us to God, but it connects us to our family, our friends, and to strangers as well. This connection happens in regard to communities as well. As we pray for our city, prayer works in our hearts for a concern towards the people of this community. And as we pray for the nations of the world we begin to have a heart for the people around the world.
Prayer connects the marginalized with the rest in the community. Singer/songwriter Robert Hamlet wrote “Lady Who Prays for Me” as a tribute to his mother who made a point of praying for her boys each morning before they went to the bus stop. After a young mom heard Hamlet sing his song, she committed to praying with her own little boy. The result was heartwarming! Just before her son went out the door, his mother prayed for him. Five minutes later he returned—bringing kids from the bus stop with him! His mom was taken aback and asked what was going on. The boy responded, “Their moms didn’t pray with them.”
Prayer also connects families. As a family prays together, something starts to happen: their hearts begin to be turned toward each other. A husband's heart is turned toward his wife as he hears her pray. Likewise, a wife's heart is turned toward her husband, and both their hearts are turned towards their children. As families pray together, their hearts are turned towards each other. As a child brought up in a Chrisitan extended family, I grew up where my parents and grandparents made a habit of praying together as family every morning and evening. They prayed for each child by name. When my family moved away, and I was often lonely — especially in a new places it was comforting to know someone was praying for me from far away. I carry on his family practice and pray for my family members by name. It helps me bring those who are dear to me closer, no matter how far away they are. Regardless of the distance between us, we are still held close as a family by prayer and the presence of God.
Prayer connects us together in the bonds of love. Those feeling alone and far from home, prayer brings them closer to our hearts. Prayer connects the patients with the doctors, it parents with children, it and restores broken relationships. Prayer connects and unites the believers as one body. A praying church is a growing church. Prayer should be our foundation of the work of God. We have many who have been shut in their homes due to various infirmities. Prayer will bring healing and forgiveness in broken situations. It is our duty and loving obligation to help them in whatever way we can. Praying is something we can all do regardless of our situations. It connects us together and with Christ as one body.
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