Prayer: The VALUE of Prayer

Does prayer have value? Certainly! Why would God give us a means of communicating with Him and communing with Him if prayer had no value? Roy Gingrich in “Continuation of Salvation Doctrines” gives us plenty of insight regarding the value of prayer. Let’s explore the value of prayer for a few moments.

First, prayer has value in that it keeps us from losing heart

Luke 18:1 (NASB95)

1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

Here is a very clear example that an illustration was being given to exemplify that we should pray to ward of hopelessness, depression, doubt, and dread. How many of us can relate to this Biblical truth? I know that I can. Certainly, it can be said that prayer builds on up and strengthens us to overcome these weapons of destruction initiated by Satan to destroy us.

Worry is a fearsome and formidable opponent that everyone can relate to. How many of us can honestly state that we have not experienced worry? Yet it is affirmed that prayer has value in that it helps us to overcome worry. Another word for worry can be anxiety. Certainly worry and anxiety are very close relatives for with one the other is close at hand or the root of the other. Fear causes anxiety? Anxiety causes fear? There is a very close relationship.

Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB95)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is beautifully confirmed by 2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB95).

7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Next, prayer provides us with wisdom as is shown in James 1:5–8 (NASB95).

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Who among us could not benefit with an extra dose of wisdom? I call upon God for wisdom every day. Without wisdom there is no understanding without understanding knowledge is useless. One thing is for certain. God provides wisdom through prayer. Thus prayer has great value by providing wisdom.

Prayer provides us with God’s grace. Hebrews 4:16 (NASB95) tells us that when we approach God in prayer in our times of need that He will extend to us grace to walk in and live a Christian life.

16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

God’s grace is enough but can we obtain that grace without prayer? Additionally, this verse is important that not only do we find grace through times of prayer but we experience God’s MERCY through prayer.

Those two things, at least to me, are of utmost importance in my daily walk with God. Without His grace and His mercy I am undone. I can do nothing of my own flesh or of my own doing. However, by God’s grace and mercy I can accomplish anything by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within me.

Do you see how prayer, Bible study, discipleship, and witnessing are so closely intertwined? Prayer without Bible study and discipleship is weak. Bible study without Prayer, discipleship, and witnessing is merely the accumulation of knowledge without application. Discipleship cannot move forward with Prayer and Bible study and witnessing in such an environment is doomed. Witnessing without discipleship, Bible study, and prayer is a no go from the start.

I hope that this post has illustrated to you the value of prayer as a part of your daily living needs as a Christian. God Bless!

In His Grip,

Lonnie Richardson

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