The Fuel we need!
I don't know about you but I love to travel. I love seeing new sights and going to new places. Me and my family have been to quite a few places. From mountains of Tn to Virginia Beach even to Seattle Washington.
The means in which we have used to go to these various destinations have varied widely. We have traveled by car, plane and train. My least favorite has been train but never the less it is a way to do some traveling.
In each of these modes of transportation there is one essential in order for us to do these travels. Yes we need to get tickets and yes they need wheels and an engine of some sort. However there is one thing that is needed most. Without that one thing, it does not matter if we have a ticket or if the train, plane or car is in fine working condition. Without this one thing we are not going anywhere.
That one thing is fuel. No matter how great the machine is no matter how much we would like for the machine to take us to our desired destination without some sort of fuel it is not going anywhere. Without fuel the plane will not get off the ground, the train will not go down the track and the car will not even start. Fuel is vital!
When it comes to your spiritual life, prayer is vital as well. Yet, so often, we treat prayer like an optional accessory—something to pull out in an emergency, rather than the essential navigation tool it is. The Bible, however, is insistent. Prayer is not merely a suggestion, but a necessity—the very lifeblood that sustains us as followers of Christ and members of His church. Living your spiritual life without prayer is like trying to run a car with no gas, it doesn't work (believe me I know)
The Blueprint for a Spiritual Life
When we look at the very first community of believers, the fledgling church in Jerusalem, we see the blueprint for spiritual vitality. In the aftermath of Pentecost, thousands were saved, and their daily life was defined by profound spiritual practices.
The Apostle Luke records their devotion:
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Notice that “the prayers” were listed among the four foundational commitments of their new life in Christ. This was not an occasional activity but a defining, steadfast aspect of their community. They prayed continually and communally, displaying a profound dependence on God and a deep love for one another. Their thriving, unified, and evangelistic church was a direct result of their profound dependence on God, expressed through persistent prayer.
If the early church had prayer as its lifeblood, it's because they were following the example of their Savior. Jesus’ earthly ministry was marked by constant prayer. Every miracle, every teaching, and every moment of His ministry was underpinned by prayer. In Acts 10:38, we read how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went about doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil because God was with Him.
If Christ, being God the Son, relied so heavily on communion with the Father, how much more should we? Prayer is a profound acknowledgment that we are not self-sufficient. It is admitting that apart from God, we can do nothing of eternal value. Jesus declared, “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). The Apostle Paul urges us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to be “devoted to prayer” (Romans 12:12). Prayer is our command and our privilege. The former pastor Adrian Rogers once said, "Satan sneers at our schemes, mocks our methods, laughs at our learning but is paralyzed by our praying". When we pray, we are not appealing to our own power; we are inviting the infinite, all-powerful God into our finite circumstances.
The Bible gives us a clear instruction for navigating the anxieties of life:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
This is the glorious exchange of the Christian life! We trade our anxiety, fear, and worries for the peace, guidance, and strength that only God can provide. When we pray, we are aligning our fragile hearts with the unshakable will of our loving Heavenly Father.
For those who may not yet know Christ, this truth lies at the heart of the Gospel. You are not meant to carry your burdens alone. God loved you enough to die for you. Jesus Christ carried the ultimate burden of sin to the cross to provide you with forgiveness and a pathway to a life lived in constant, hopeful communion with God. The first and most essential prayer is the prayer of repentance and faith—the admission that you are a sinner and your heart's cry for Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
For those of us who believe, partnering in the church means we partner in prayer. It’s how we bear one another’s burdens and celebrate each other's joys. It is the foundation of our spiritual growth and our most powerful communal act.
Let me give you 4 Practical Steps to Fuel Your Prayer Partnership
Prayer is a muscle that must be worked, not a light switch to be flipped. Here are 4 clear, actionable ways you can cultivate your prayer life as a true partnership with God:
Commit to Pray Continually: Just as the early church prayed steadfastly, make daily, ongoing prayer a priority. Set aside time to commune with God—begin your day with prayer, seek His guidance throughout, and end your day in gratitude. This is how you nurture your relationship with Christ.
Tip: Use a journal to write down your prayers and reflect on how God answers them to strengthen your faith.
Practice Communal Prayer: Prayer was not only a personal activity for the early believers but a communal one, fostering unity and love. Commit to praying with others—join a prayer group or partner with a friend to pray together regularly. One of the things we have been doing at Ashmore Baptist Church now for the past few years is starting our service with a time of prayer. This means that sometimes we start a little late. However we refuse to start the service apart from a time to pray. It is something that we believe has helped us in our worship services. We need to pray together, so find a way to do that.
Tip: Make a list of people in your church or community to pray for and commit to praying for them daily.
Trust His Provision and Let Go of Worry: The call to prayer in Philippians 4:6 is a direct antidote to anxiety. Let go of worries, knowing that Jesus is watching over you and will provide and protect you. Turn worry into a prayer of dependence.
Tip: When anxiety strikes, immediately stop, pray through your concern, and visualize handing it over to God.
Respond to God’s Promptings: Ask God to reveal who you need to pray for and what needs require your intercession. Be open to His guidance and willing to act on it.
Tip: When you feel prompted to pray for someone, reach out to them and let them know you are praying for them. This can be a great encouragement and strengthen your relationship.
As we commit to praying continually and communally, we will see His power at work in our lives and communities, drawing us closer to Him and to one another.
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