No army is ready to fight based on their armor alone. The finest outfitted army must still have courageous hearts, good leadership, coordinated effort, and strong supply lines. Each of these relate as analogies to the Christian and prayer. Through prayer our hearts are made ready to face the conflict. Through prayer we show our need of the strength that God provides. Through prayer we support one another in the Christian family. Through prayer we find the continual supply of God's spiritual life and leadership that we need. Nothing can substitute for prayer in our lives or in our church. Learning, experience, wisdom, a cooperative spirit, even our faith and the Word of God, do not make prayer unnecessary to the Christian. In prayer we declare our need of God. In prayer we include God in our spiritual battles. How is your prayer life? James wrote, "You have not because you ask not" (James 4:2). There are many things that God is perfectly willing to do and to give, that we do not receive because we have never asked him. We must ask in faith, with our sins confessed up to date, and according to his will, but still we must ask. Do you need grace? Strength? Wisdom? Courage? Direction? Assurance? Friends? Then ask God. - Pastor David Packer
