People That Should Pray

I had the opportunity several months ago to attend the funeral service of a historic and legendary leader of my denomination. Dr. Ray Hughes served in many capacities of leadership in the Church of God, and was a modern day apostle. As I heard all of the wonderful accomplishments and testimonies about Dr. Hughes, there was one particular statement that stood out to me. Ray Hughes Jr. spoke about his father's prayer life. He stated that he remembered the many times that his father would put the children to bed and sit in the middle of the living room floor with a quilt over his head and pray for hours. He said that there were many times that he would pray through the night.

I have heard many other stories from those who were impacted by the prayer life of Dr. Hughes. The day after the funeral service, I attended a session of a conference that was led by Larry Stockstill, an incredible Pastor from Baton Rouge, LA. I was greatly impacted as he spoke about prayer. Later, I returned home with a renewed passion to increase my prayer time with the Lord. I have designated a portion of my day to prayer for several years. I considered myself a person of prayer. However, I have never been more personally challenged to pursue through prayer. Here are some thoughts that the Lord has given me regarding prayer. It is somewhat lengthy. I pray that you will read through it, and be challenged to prayer.ple 

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."--Jer. 33:3.

Moses cried out to God, and God spared Israel from judgment. Joshua’s prayer made the sun stand still. Hannah’s prayer was answered with a baby boy. Solomon got wisdom in answer to his prayer. Fire came down from Heaven when Elijah prayed and devoured the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. Jonah’s prayer brought him out of the belly of the whale. Elijah had the great power of God upon his life. But when Elisha prayed for a double portion of the Spirit, God did not bat an eye when He gave it to him. Jabezprayed for God to bless him, enlarge his coasts, for God’s hand to be with him, and keep him from evil, and God granted his request! Ten lepers prayed and were instantaneously healed. Peter prayed, and Dorcas arose from the dead. The thief on the cross prayed and was saved immediately. The early church prayed, and the place was shaken where they were gathered together. Peter got out of jail in answer to the early Christians’ prayers. The door of the Phillippian jail fell off when Paul and Silas prayed. 

It is fascinating to read of the accounts of the prayers of the saints of God in the Bible. But don’t we serve the same God? Shouldn’t we also pray?

It was Abraham Lincoln who said, "Many times I have been forced to my knees, realizing there was simply no other place to go." George Washington met the crisis of Valley Forge on his knees in prayer. In a speech to the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin reminded the delegates of the daily prayer to God for the guidance and protection that they had offered. Stonewall Jackson said, "I have so fixed the habit in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without lifting my heart to God in thanks and prayer for the Water of Life." I recently had the invitation to pray over the legislative session of the Georgia State Senate, and reminded them of the prayers of these men. 

Remember that prayer is the Christian’s greatest privilege. It is his greatest tool, his greatest weapon and his greatest opportunity. It is the key to God’s storehouse, the switch to God’s power station and the greatest work in which one can become involved.

May all of us say, with Samuel, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you" (I Sam. 12:23).

· Only prayer can turn a life around.
· Only prayer can sober the alcoholic.
· Only prayer can clean up the drug user.
· Only prayer can change a hardened criminal.
· Only prayer can cleanse our minds of old thoughts.
· Only prayer can summons angels into conflict.
· Only prayer can break through the heart of stone.
· Only prayer can pull a person from despair.
· Only prayer can break the yoke of bondage.
· Only prayer can give sight to the spiritually blind.
· Only prayer can give strength to the weary.
· Only prayer can bring in our lost loved ones.
· Only prayer can overthrow the attack of satan.
· Only prayer can unlock the doors to God’s storehouse of blessing. 　

1. People in Trouble Ought to Pray.The psalmist said, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (Ps. 34:6).
So, why don’t we really pray?

2. People Who Need Wisdom Ought to Pray. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).


3. People Who Need Power Ought to Pray. 
Jesus said, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:11-13).. 

4. People Who Want Revival Ought to Pray"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (II Chron. 7:14).

5. People Who Want Cleansing Ought to Pray. David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23,24).6. People Who Want to Know God’s Way Ought to Pray. 
Moses prayed, "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people" (Exod. 33:13).. 

7. People Who Want to Be Saved Ought to Pray
Peter cried out, "Lord, save me" (Matt. 14:30). The Apostle Paul admonished us to "Pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17). Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).Someone has said, "God waits to do the will of praying men." 

If anything happens…somebody prayed!
If you are saved, somebody prayed.
If you are healed,  Somebody prayed!
We ought to pray! WE MUST PRAY!