Motivated To Pray

By pastorbillwalden

Prayer is soul work. For me, more-so than studying, teaching, preaching, serving, or counseling. It competes with my flesh like nothing else, and yet, when I pray, there is a special blessing that comes which is experienced in no other realm of life.

Christians need to be motivated to pray.  Let me share an idea with you.

There is reward in prayer.

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus taught about fasting and praying.
16“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

This teaching comes right after Jesus’ teaching re. prayer.  (Matthew 6:8-13)  The main point of the passage is that we ought not to fast and pray to be seen of men, but to sincerely seek God.  A secondary and important point is this: “…your Father…will reward you openly”.

That reward may come any number of ways, but Jesus promised that the Father would reward us.  We don’t pray so that we will be rewarded, but we can be sure that if we pray, there is reward to be expected.

I am sure that my prayers change things on Earth, though I don’t always see the results.  I pray in faith, and in faith believe that God is working.  I pray by faith, and not by sight.

Sometimes I pray because I am desperate for myself or for someone else.  I do not need motivation in those times; I already have it.

At other times, however, I pray because I should, because I need to, and because it is right. I don’t enter into those prayer times feeling spiritual or excited to pray, but I press into those times because I need it and because God has promised reward.

I am changed when I pray, I think especially so when I haven’t wanted to pray, but done so anyway, and in faith.  My heart is surrendered and as a result, I am refreshed in my soul.

Dear Christian friends: We need to believe that what Jesus said is true. Our Lord speaks the truth to us, but we must purpose and determine to be people of prayer.  Don’t wait until you feel like it.  Deciding to pray isn’t about waiting until we feel like praying.  The needs are out there now.  You know people that are perishing in their sins.  You know Christians that have walked away.  You know the needs of many.

Either alone, or with two or three, determine to pray.  Jesus promised that there is reward if we will pray.

Let God decide what the rewards will be.  You be determined to pray.