Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit; being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplications for all the saints.

Why is prayer important?

Prayer is essential to us as Christians because it is our lifeline to our Savior. We were created with the purpose of having a relationship with our Creator. We do not have a cell number to call Him, but we do have a prayer line. Daniel 9:21 tells us when Daniel was in prayer, Gabriel came down and spoke with him. Can you imagine praying and an angel shows up to give you an answer! We may see that one day, but we have something better than an angel to speak with us.

The Holy Spirit has come to guide and help us. The Holy Spirit entered on Pentecost after Jesus was resurrected. This is recorded in Acts 2:1-2. Now, when we pray, the Holy Spirit is with us to relay our prayer to God the Father. We become children of God when we accept His gift of salvation. What lengths would you go to, to listen to what your child has to say? God proved His length by the sacrifice He made for us.

What do we say in prayer?

Multiple times in the Psalms, we see David praying for safety, protection and blessing. Do you feel scared? Pray. Do you find yourself in an impossible situation? Pray. Whatever it is that you need, present your supplication to the Lord. He knows everything, but He wants to hear it from the mouths of His children. This was the plan from the beginning. He wants us to communicate all our needs to Him.

There is one catch in this process though. The first prayer He will hear from you is the prayer giving your life to Him. This is the place where all humankind has to start. Sin has cut the line of communication with Him. Submitting to Jesus is the only way to repair the line. If you still are living in sin and have not repented, your prayer is going no further than the ceiling.

Why is repentance so important?

Sin is breaking the law of God. God cannot tolerate this with His Holiness. Genesis 4:7 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Cain was angry about his sacrifice not being accepted. God talks with him here in this verse. Doing well means giving your best to the Lord. Cain did not do so and became furious. God talked with Him, but he still left and murdered his brother. He gave in to the desire for sin to have him.

Better said, Cain listened to Satan, not God. Hate filled his heart, and he committed the first murder. This is why repentance is so important. It is us realizing we have broken God’s law. Then going to Him and asking forgiveness and then turning from the things that led us to sin. Forgiveness is useless without a change for the good. Or turning back to the path God has laid out. If sin has ahold of you, repent while there is still hope. Turn to the loving God of the Universe. It is a decision you will not forget.