God Blesses His Children Who Pray

When you see a Christian who is joyful, calm, slow to anger, devout, and loving toward others, you can be sure you are in the presence of someone who prays, walks in the Spirit, and abides in the Lord. The Christian who lives a life of prayer has a radiant countenance, and the peace of God visibly overflows in everything they do.

A life of prayer transforms the mind and heart, strengthens faith and gives it tangible expression, making the work of the Holy Spirit evident. We pray to the Father in the name of the Son, and when we speak with the Son, the Father is present, and so is the Spirit.

Conversely, when you see a Christian who is frequently angry, unbearable, irritable, frenzied, and out of control in their actions, pray for him or her, because this is a clear sign that they do not have a life of prayer. Those sins keep them from prospering spiritually; they have not produced spiritual fruit in their Christian life, or they bear fruit only in certain seasons, depending on circumstances and the times. If all goes well, they bear fruit; if everything seems to be going badly, they do not bear fruit, even though they know that God is in control of all things. Love, joy, peace, faith, goodness, … and self-control appear like the muses—that is, now and then, only when one seeks occasional “inspiration” in the Christian life and everything around seems to smile.

But God blesses the children who understand the need to pray at all times and in all places, with motives that build character and glorify his name. Prayer does not save; prayer in itself is nothing compared with the immense need one feels to be connected with the Lord in thought and devotion. A life of prayer renews fellowship with the Father and with our brothers and sisters in the faith. Do you remember the hysterical show the Pharisee put on in front of the tax collector? (Luke 18:11). When we are continually connected with the Father, what God himself says in his Word comes to pass: “…Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). The mouth merely speaks, but it is the heart that dictates the words that come from the Spirit.

A life of prayer tends to shape character and to meld a devout person’s divine perspectives with the pattern of Christ’s own character.

It is true that when we are babies in Christ, we are afraid to pray (in public). “Let Manuel pray; he’s been in the faith for years and knows how to pray beautifully,” people often exclaim. The pastor stands up and says, “We ask Sister María to pray for…” and María begins to tremble from head to toe. It is understandable … and even necessary to go through moments like these, which we will never forget. But remember, God does not take into account whether a prayer is anointed with Bible verses or spoken in perfect “Christianese,” but the heart that pours it out with sincerity and reverent submission. “…We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). What a comfort for us!

To pray, one must believe. “Therefore I tell you: Believe that you have already received whatever you are asking for in prayer, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

If faith does not propel prayer, prayer may become a mere speech of words that come to mind and are recited automatically. Prayer born of the heart lifts our humanity to a spiritual plane where God’s face can be perceived. The Bible says that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the Law, a beam of light shone from his face because he had spoken with God himself (Exodus 34:29). While Jesus was praying on the mount of transfiguration, his face was transformed and his clothes became white and radiant. (Luke 9:29).

A life of prayer makes the face radiant, lights the Christian’s path, and transforms the heart. May our mouths proclaim praise and glory to the One who lives forever!

May God bless his Word!