This is the Truth Network. Encouraging prayer. God offers an open invitation for his people to talk with him at any time about anything. On Encouraging Prayer, Dr. James Banks, author of the best-selling Prayers for Prodigals and many other books on prayer, provides weekly biblical insight to help you learn to love to pray.
And now, here's James. Prayer and praying together is one of those things all believers would acknowledge to be important for the Christian faith, but the truth is we struggle with it. And that's what we're going to talk about today. Yes, it is. Today at Encouraging Prayer, we're going to talk about the top three reasons.
Why Christians don't pray and don't pray together, and the top three reasons for why we should.
So are we going to do a countdown? Drum roll, please. And number three. All right, here it is. Recent number three.
We're too busy. We don't have the time. What do you think? Oh man, I mean Let me tell you. And and especially when you're trying to coordinate two or three people.
Yeah. Yeah, whether whether or not it's personal or whether or not you know it's Yeah. A church praying together. I mean, you know, most churches don't really. They say they do because they have.
Prayer that happens during the worship service, but usually that's just the pastor praying, you know. And Because there's other stuff to do. That's kind of the mindset. Um, there it is, you know, third reason. You ready for the second one?
I am.
Okay.
Well Here it is, but this kind of falls into two categories. Um We're worried about how we Sounds good. Yeah, that's think about it. Oh, I mean, isn't that right? Exactly.
It's like, oh gosh, you know. I I wish I sounded like Brother So-and-so, got a Yeah. And it's the point is it's not about the words. we use. But that's kind of the other side of this: is that sometimes we can be just shy.
About it. And scripture tells us to come boldly before the throne of grace.
So You know, it is so important for us. to just Just recognize that our Father wants us there. And that makes a huge difference. Oh, it really does. And I I think it's wonderful you bring it up, James.
Because I'm going to guess that, you know, you're a pastor, I'm a pastor. I don't think I ever pray in front of the congregation that those thoughts don't go through my mind. Like, I hope that was a good one.
Okay.
Yeah. No, that that's right. And if you think about it, we simply just need to be real in our prayers. You know, that it it's It doesn't need to be red. Because people know that's going on and and that doesn't sound sincere.
It's kind of like my, you know, writing down something in front of my wife to then read to her to tell her that I love her. Come on. Yeah. Yeah. So nothing wrong with liturgy.
I'm not going there, but we don't need to be as worried about how we sound.
So, drum roll again? Yes. You're ready. You're ready for number one. I am ready for number one.
Here. Here it goes. We don't think it'll make any difference. Oh, wow. And that one is rude and wrong, but it's right on the money.
You know, the the truth is The reason why we're busy doing other things is because we feel like We have to make the difference. And sometimes we've all prayed about things or prayed about circumstances, and maybe we didn't get the answer we wanted. or maybe something You know Yeah. I I again went the other way. And Come down.
We give time. We make time for the things we want to do, first of all, and we give time to the things that we feel are important. And if we felt prayer were more important, let's be real. Don't you think we'd give it more time? Yeah, absolutely.
And even the thought that If we thought it worked. Right? You know, we'd be lining up like But to some level, it works because if you actually connected with God. then you you had a prayer.
Well, and again, that is such an important point because if we just make prayer about requests and answers. Then we're missing what it's really there for. And that is. Just to be near Abba Father. and and to be in that relationship with you.
So L let's spend Flip the script and go to three reasons why we should. And number three. Reason number three, here we go. We want to see what only God can do. And that way he He gets the glory.
Yeah. It's it's so good. Not to have to make something happen. Mm-hmm. Then, when you see God make it happen, man, that builds your faith.
It builds the faith of the church. But in order for us to go there, we have to ask right, and that means. taking the time to really seek his face. But you know what I mean? No, I do.
Yeah, again, we want to see what only he can do.
So Here comes the second reason.
Well, there is this book that tells us we're supposed to do it. Yeah. That's nothing. Yeah, I think there's sixty-six of them involved. You know, Jesus said when you pray or when you fast, And this is how you should pray.
And You know, Acts 1:14 tells us the church Met together constantly in prayer so that the precedent is set. And the truth is, Scripture makes very clear that God's people are to pray together. You can't read. The book of Acts without realizing, wait a minute, we're to be entirely dependent on Him. in prayer.
As a congregation. Yeah, it's beautiful. As a congregation, and of course, as individuals. Just look at the life of Jesus.
So I know everybody's. Dying like me, they were okay, James. What's number one? Yeah, number one. Jesus draws closer to us when we do.
You think about his words in the Garden of Gethsemane. Couldn't you tarry with me one hour? That's his heart. He wants us there, not just in that moment. He wants us there because that's the very reason why he came.
so that we could have fellowship with the Father. You know, th the the Father and the Spirit would come and make their home. with us. And that is the single best reason for praying together.
So if we're going to give up anything for Lent, How about giving up the excuse that says I'm too busy to pray? Really?
Well, this would be a good time to do that. Let's do it. Father, thank you so much for James's heart in this. six very viable understandings that would help us to Um do what we need to do and do what we want to do. Lord, give us a heart to believe.
Give us a heart. to see the time, because we do the things we really want to do. Lord, help us. to do the things that we really need. Yeah.
Lord, just help us to grow closer to you and closer together. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. End of the You can hear more from Pastor James by visiting his website, jamesbanks.org, or by visiting Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you as you pray.
