Are we taught to pray?

Are we taught to pray?

Yes, in many ways. Prayers of praise and worship, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of repentance, and prayers of intercession.

Abraham, Moses, the prophets, Paul and Jesus all used intercessory prayer.

Intercessory prayer is prayer for others. An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads someone else's case. One study Bible defines intercession as "holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God's intervention."

We are admonished and encouraged to pray for others, particularly those in spiritual or physical needs, for family members, for those hurting and those in authority. We are also advised to pray often and with a "pure heart," according to God's will. We are advised to prayer for ourselves: to forgive others as we hope to be forgiven, as it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. We are even advised to pray for our enemies, those holding grudges against us.

Are we taught to pray?  Nature itself, the great outdoors is everywhere God's Cathedral.  "Be still, and know that I am present…"

Can we ever pray enough? No. Not if we accept the power of faith, the energy of hope, the force of love and the blessing of living with gratitude.  Not if we are aware of the incredible giftedness of our history of living in this country.

Should we not pray for those whose finger is on the trigger today in countless places, gun violence, suicicde and suicide bombings, and everyone in harm's way today? 

 

So, today, let us pray…..in praise, in thanks, in pardoning and in petition for our loved ones and others.