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The greatest privilege a Christian has is the privilege of prayer. Not only is it a privilege, but it is also the responsibility of every believer. Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1).

Prayer is simply talking to God, letting our concerns and requests be made known to Him. When we pray, we admit our need for God and our utter dependence on Him. only through a relationship with Jesus Christ do we have access to God (see 1 Timothy 2:5). We approach God in Jesus' name, not our own.

Prayer is not a means of trying to get from God what we want, but rather a means by which we enable God to give us what he wants. Regarding prayer, Billy Graham said, "Prayer is the rope that pulls God and man together. But it doesn't pull God down to us; rather, it pulls us up to Him."

We're to pray because God commands it (see 2 Chronicles 7:14; Luke 18:1). Through prayer we receive things (see James 4:2), experience fullness of joy (see John 16:24), and find help in times of trouble. Prayer is the cure for worry (see Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7) and also helps us resist temptation (see Matthew 26:41).

We are to pray always. The Bible instructs us to "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Apostle Paul exhorted believers to pray "always with all prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 6:18).

Through praise and adoration, we acknowledge God's goodness. We must recognize that when we pray, we enter God's presence (see Matthew 6:9). Prayer takes us into the very throne room of God. As we reverence the Lord by communing with Him in prayer, our relationship with Him becomes more intimate and our love more tender.

Confession and repentance are prerequisites for approaching God. The Bible assures us of forgiveness if we confess our sins to God. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

We need always to remember what God has done for us, and give Him thanks for it. We're to thank Him during the good times, as well as the bad times, "giving thanks always for all things..." (Ephesians 5:20). We're also to make our requests to God "with thanksgiving" (Philippians 4:6).

Believers are to pray for our own needs and ask God for help in our daily affairs. We must never think that our requests are too small or too big to bring before God. As Christians we are to pray about everything being confident that God hears us, cares about us, and acts on our behalf.

Intercession means to pray on behalf of-and for-other people (see 1 Timothy 2:1). People can stop us from telling them about Jesus but they can't stop us from praying for them.

We're to pray for our family, friends, Christian leaders, our country, and whatever else God lays on our hearts.

We are to pray for them as seriously as we pray for ourselves.

Neglecting to pray is a sin. Samuel said, "Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 12:23). Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1).

D.L Moody summarized the necessity of prayer with this observation: "Jesus never taught his disciples how to preach, but only how to pray."

Unless otherwise noted, a// Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version (NOV), copyright@ 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.