Prayer – A Conversation with our Heavenly Father

By Lettie Cederquist

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” –Matthew 18:19

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” –Ephesians 6:18

Scripture urges us to pray and intercede (1 Timothy 2:1) and to continue steadfastly (Colossians 4:2) in prayer. Praying can feel challenging, yet great blessings come through the commitment to prayer. God’s Word reminds us that God hears and answers us (1 John 5:14-15). Through prayer, we find ourselves growing closer to Him as promised in Psalm 145:18, and growing calmer as we cast our cares on Him and believe He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We also begin to more clearly see evidence of His work, which encourages us to continue in our commitment to prayer.

I find great comfort in the fact that Paul tells us to pray “with all kinds of prayers and requests” in Ephesians 6:18. Whether I’m grateful, concerned, thinking about small details or big ones, I can pray and rely on God’s promise that He will listen, regardless of the size or scope of my prayer. I’m learning to persevere and recognize God’s care for me and those I’ve lifted in prayer.

What about praying in unity with others? As you may know, PLC has several opportunities to pray in unity with one another, such as in Sunday worship or Bible study groups. Another avenue is the Prayer Chain. The Prayer Chain is a group from our PLC family who have committed to praying confidentially for the needs of our congregation, their extended family, and friends. Those in the group receive confidential prayer requests through email and then pray as led by the Holy Spirit. Each member prays on their own time, yet the group is united in prayer.

Those who request prayer and those who pray cling to the great promise our Lord Jesus Christ gave us in Matthew 18:19 and the promise that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will (Romans 8:27). We’re reassured that God not only hears and answers prayers; His Holy Spirit is even molding them into God’s perfect will!

It is awe-inspiring that our Heavenly Father, the creator of heaven and earth, longs to hear and answer our prayers.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. Increase our desire for prayer, our commitment to it, and that we would trust in Your faithfulness to answer. Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, for Your death and resurrection, which allows us to ‘approach the throne of grace with confidence.’ Open the eyes of our hearts to see the daily needs You place before us. Remind us to unite with our Christian brothers and sisters in prayer. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.