As we see the title of this section, “Prayer Matters” we most often agree that prayer is a very important part of our relationship with the Trinity.  Occasionally though, we might find ourselves reacting with feelings of “does it really matter?”  In our humanity, we often challenge each other in what we say.  So, if we find ourselves questioning the statement that “prayer matters”, what are we to do? Is it just a natural reflection of our humanity?   What would God want us to know about our prayers?  

The Bible says God knew Jeremiah (and also us) before He knit us together in our mothers’ wombs.  He also knows our questions about prayer.   And He gives us His desire for prayer in scripture.  In First Thessalonians 5:16-18, God tells us that He wants us to:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Wow!  God tells us to “pray non-stop”!  Why would God say that?  It doesn’t seem possible for us, does it?  We know how difficult it is for us to pray non-stop for an hour.   How do we begin to pray without ceasing?  Let’s pause a moment here and think about why our loving God would want us to pray without ceasing.

God is love and He desires us.  He “so loves” us that He died on the cross for us.  In taking away our sins, He makes it possible for us to be in relationship with Him.  As He desires us, He works in us through His Holy Spirit to be more and more Christlike.  When we understand that God is remaking us, we can “rejoice more often, be more and more in thought  and verbal contact with Him and giving Him thanks in more ways.

God’s ways are perfect and His love for us is also perfect. He has promised us in Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  He is working in us to increase our joy, our prayers and our thanksgiving.

C.S. Lewis, in his book “The Horse and His Boy” describes a moment when a day of non-stop troubles surrounded the boy, Shasta.  In his frustration, Shasta noticed a quiet presence breathing “on a very large scale”.  After hearing the breathing, he asked, “Who are you?”.  The answer came from Aslan, who Lewis presented as God.  In answer to the boy’s question “Who are you?”  Aslan/God replied, “One who has waited long for you to speak.”

God waits and desires our prayers.