When you hear the phrase “a life enveloped in prayer”, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it something that you are very familiar with because you are a person of prayer? Is it something that is foreign to your life? Do you begin your day in prayer unto the Lord, and then subsequently have an attitude of prayer throughout your day? Are you conscience of the Lord’s commandment as found in Luke 21:36,
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
For a child of God, prayer is an essential element for daily living; but, unfortunately, many never consider the value of prayer in their lives.
To further explore this question, as a child of God we must ask ourselves, “How often do we really pray on a daily basis?” In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are commanded by the Lord to, “Pray without ceasing.” Yet, how many of us ever really begin our day with prayer; let alone, pray throughout the day? Often we sing the hymn, “Did You Think To Pray?” – but I wonder how many of us really listen to the words, “Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray? In the name of Christ, our Savior, Did you sue for loving favor, As a shield today? O how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day; So, when life seems dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.”
Let us be reminded that prayer is our avenue of communication with the Lord. We are to use prayer to, a) confess our sins [Cp. Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9; Psalms 66:18]; b) request our needs unto the Lord and to acknowledge our dependency upon Him [Cp. Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 5:11; Philippians 4:11-19]; c) bring our burdens before the Lord [Cp. Hebrews 4:14-16; Nehemiah 1:4-2:5; Ephesians 3:12; James 5:13]; d) seek the Lord’s will in our lives [Cp. Matthew 26:39,42; 1 John 5:14-15; Philippians 2:12-16]; e) praise the Lord for answered prayers and for His goodness in our lives [Cp. 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:15-17].
Let us understand here that before we can live a life enveloped in prayer we must first have a relationship with the Lord – and this begins with a prayer in repentance and in faith unto Jesus Christ the Savior of the world.
Acts 20:21 states,
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When one realizes through the Word of God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit that they need to be saved – one should immediately follow the instructions that Peter gave to the men under conviction on the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:37-38,
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Paul was asked a similar question by the Philippian jailor.
Acts 16:30-31,
“And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
And Ephesians 2:8-9 further clarifies the prayer of repentance and in faith unto Jesus Christ; for it states,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Have you prayed the prayer of repentance in faith unto the only One who can save you?
Acts 4:12 states,
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
And 1 John 1:9 declares God’s promise to hear our prayer,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
For you who have prayed this prayer, are you living “a life enveloped in prayer”?
