You can live without a lot of things, but if you are a believer, you cannot live your life the way Christ wants you to live unless you have a real, genuine prayer life. If your prayer life is not what it should be, your Christian life is suffering (or it will eventually suffer). Just as the physical body needs oxygen, the spiritual life thrives on prayer. Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, the Christian’s essential air.
LUKE 18:1 “And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men OUGHT ALWAYS to pray, and NOT TO FAINT;”
Men are always supposed to pray and not faint. Prayer is not an option, it is a command from God. This word “ought” carries with it the idea that our prayer life should be paramount. It is to be a priority in our life. The phrase “not to faint” gives us the idea that we should not grow weary in our prayer life. We should not be a coward or lose heart. Fainting is an ever present problem in a person’s prayer life.
Sin, big or small, can cause much ‘fainting’ in your prayer life. It chokes the life out of prayer. Sin destroys a good prayer life. Sin defiles. Prayer can indeed keep one from sinning.
When you have doubt in your heart or begin to doubt the Word of God, then you begin to doubt the Power of God and this affects your prayer life. Unbelief and prayerlessness go hand in hand. I know that when doubt comes into my mind, I begin to pray less. I lack interest in spiritual matters and then I begin to discern that I am under attack.
Discouragement can make you throw in the towel. There have been times when we have made our request known to God. We go before Him and expect an answer and a response. But as we pray, it almost seems as if He isn’t listening. It sometimes seems as if He doesn’t even care. You hear a voice tell you, “You are wasting your time”. This is the voice of discouragement!
“Why would God not answer the prayers of His children right away? Why would God not answer my prayer? Why would He delay His answers? Why would He make me wait?” You ask yourself all these questions.
God may not answer your prayers right away, but if you are right with God, He does hear your prayers right away.
LUKE 18:7 “And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, THOUGH HE BEAR LONG WITH THEM?”
There is an adversary roaming around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy. Knowing that should already keep us on our toes while praying. Don’t grow weary in your praying. Don’t give into evil and quit praying. Don’t be a coward when it comes to praying. DON’T LOSE HEART WHEN YOU PRAY!”
We appreciate you all for covering us in prayer. Thank you for standing with us. There are times when discouragement comes, but be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We are seeing God’s faithfulness and the fruit of your prayers. Continually keep us in prayer for good health, to overcome obstacles, for new partners and intercessors, and above all to accomplish what God has commissioned us to do. Also, remember Eagles Saving Nations as we need millions of people joining our team. Dr. Hansen's vision is to speak in large stadiums and have the power of God baptize people in the Holy Spirit so they can go forth with power and authority instead of fear and intimidation, in order to spark another Great Awakening.
May God richly bless you,
Adalia Hansen