Make Way Ministries

Top Menu

Main Menu

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Resources
    • Deeper in Christ
    • EvangeLIVING
    • Ministry Updates
  • Videos
    • The Pile of Masks Teaching Series
    • The God of Moses Sermon Series
    • The Crucified Life Teaching Series
    • Other Videos
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Contact
0

Cart

logo

Make Way Ministries

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Resources
    • Deeper in Christ
    • EvangeLIVING
    • Ministry Updates
  • Videos
    • The Pile of Masks Teaching Series
    • The God of Moses Sermon Series
    • The Crucified Life Teaching Series
    • Other Videos
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Contact
Deeper in ChristPrayer
Home›Deeper in Christ›THE MANY BENEFITS OF PRAYER (BY STEVE GALLAGHER)

THE MANY BENEFITS OF PRAYER (BY STEVE GALLAGHER)

By Steve Gallagher (Guest Author)
May 15, 2022
243
0
Share:

Twenty minutes. It seemed paltry in comparison to the sixteen waking hours I had at my disposal each day and yet every tick of the clock served as a painful reminder of how tedious it felt. I somehow stuck with it, and by the end of that first week, it had become noticeably easier. Little did I realize that within a couple of months it would be such an integral part of my daily existence that I couldn’t imagine life without it.

Within three months of that fledgling commitment, I walked away from a fifteen-year addiction to sexual sin. Within fifteen months, I began the world’s first ministry to sexual addicts.  Within two years, I was spending at least an hour in prayer and an hour in the Word of God every morning.

When I scan the past twenty-nine years of my life, I can only marvel at all the enormous blessings God has lavished upon me because of this small sacrifice I make for Him every morning.

David said, “Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). What could be a greater way to “delight yourself in the Lord” than to spend time with Him? The fact of the matter is that our heavenly Father greatly enjoys doing things for His obedient children that will make them happy. What father doesn’t take enormous pleasure in doing something kind for his children? Of course, he wouldn’t be a good parent if he spoiled his child with unwarranted gifts.

I know exactly what David meant when he said the Lord “satisfies your years with good things” (Psalm 103:5). It is true that I have fought countless battles, faced many painful disappointments and experienced my share of suffering. Yet, when I review the past twenty-nine years, the Lord’s kindnesses to me dwarf those hardships.

It should go without saying that believers spend time in prayer because it is part of being a responsible Christian. However, in this article I want to encourage your commitment to prayer by sharing some of the many benefits I have enjoyed over the years because of my walk with the Lord. I will confine my expressions of gratitude to two basic areas of life.

If you will prove faithful in your prayer life, God will reward you with outward blessings. Click To Tweet

If you will prove faithful in your prayer life, God will reward you with outward blessings. The Lord knows “the desires of your heart.” We are all different and He alone knows what would truly be enjoyable and meaningful to each of us. One way of many the Lord has blessed me has been to allow me to experience the adventure of overseas travel. Prior to my life with God, the only foray I had made out of the country as an adult was a miserable trip down into Mexico where everything went wrong. That “vacation” is a picture of life for disobedient and prayerless Christians who attempt to bless themselves.

However, once I began to pray the Lord instituted a systematic program in my life of proving His kindness to me. Consider some of the ways He has used overseas travel as a source of blessing to me since I began praying. I have spent ten weeks in Israel, toured Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps and visited the ruins of New Testament cities throughout Greece and Turkey. I have trekked in the Peruvian Andes, slogged through a Bolivian rainforest, swam in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of El Salvador and caught a marlin off the coast of Mexico. I have slept in a Bedouin tent in the Negev, hiked in David’s old haunts in the Judean wilderness and explored the caves of Cappadocia. I have strolled through Amsterdam, climbed the Acropolis of Athens, traversed Jerusalem, seen the sights of London, experienced the Coliseum and catacombs of Rome, dined in Munich and spent New Year’s Eve in Zurich. I have ministered in Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, El Salvador, England, Germany, Guatemala, Holland, Jordan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania and Uruguay. I have preached in a host of prisons including San Quentin, Soledad and Huntsville.

I can honestly say that I didn’t make any of those trips happen—the Lord orchestrated every one of them. If it seems as though I am boasting, I am! But my boast is entirely in the Lord for this is a small but demonstrable picture of how He blesses those who delight in Him!

If you will prove faithful in your prayer life, God will also reward you with inward blessings. Outward pleasures such as traveling are a colorful way to illustrate how the Lord extends kindness to those who delight in Him, but far more important and meaningful are the inward blessings He bestows. For instance, how much would I have enjoyed those trips if I were miserable inside? Or take it beyond the travel example. How much would it mean to Kathy and me to live in a nice home in the woods if it were filled with strife? How gratifying would it be for me to minister if I was still carnally-minded and full of lust? What would my life have to show for itself if I hadn’t been praying for souls all these years?

The inward joy I experience is admittedly nebulous. I don’t walk around grinning all the time because I am so exuberant inside—although there are certainly times that I am! But on my worst day I have more inward joy than the best day of an unbeliever. I say that because their happy experiences are empty and short-lived. Actually, one of the best places to find cheerful people is in a bar where you will find them engaged in the kind of boisterous activity that often produces uproarious laughter. Yet, the following day finds these same people miserable and empty.

Prayerless Christians may not face the same consequences as partiers do, but they do miss out on the greatest blessings the Christian life has to offer. Only a praying believer can know what it feels like to experience God’s smile. Only a couple who prays can really experience deep fellowship and a meaningful relationship. There is simply no way to describe the inward fullness that comes with a life of prayer.

There is simply no way to describe the inward fullness that comes with a life of prayer. Click To Tweet

After all, it is in one’s prayer closet that a person will often experience the life-giving presence of God. It is there that the Lord instructs His child and leads him in the way to go. It is there that the Word of God opens up to the hungry believer. It is there that the Christian learns the joy of gratitude and true worship. And, of course, it is there that one’s supplications are answered.

I admit that developing a prayer life requires determination. Leonard Ravenhill stated it correctly when he wrote, “Prayer is taxing. Prayer is exacting. Prayer means enduring. Prayer means denying self, a daily dying by choice.” C.S. Lewis added, “Prayer is irksome. An excuse to omit it is never unwelcome. We are reluctant to begin. We are delighted to finish.” Yet for all their forthright admissions regarding the cost involved, both of those men remained faithful in their devotional times throughout their long lives.

Yes, staying faithful in prayer requires dedication and sacrifice, but when you think about it, what is the alternative? A prayerless and fruitless life? No sincere believer would consider that as an option.

Steve Gallagher (Guest Author)
Founder at Pure Life Ministries | + posts

Pastor Steve is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Pure Life Ministries. He is a prolific writer, having authored 12 books, including the best-selling At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry. He is also a regularly featured columnist in both print and web media. Steve holds an Associates of Arts degree from Sacramento City College and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Master’s International School of Divinity. He is also a certified Biblical Counselor through the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC) in Denver, CO.

    This author does not have any more posts.
Tagsprayerspiritual disciplinesspiritual growth
Previous Article

FASTING- SHOW ME YOUR GLORY (BY GLENN ...

Next Article

THE WORD OF GOD (BY NATE DANSER)

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Pile of Masks Teaching SeriesVideos

    THE PILE OF MASKS TEACHING SERIES- SESSION 7

    May 4, 2022
    By Steve Gallagher (Guest Author)
  • Pile of Masks Teaching SeriesVideos

    THE PILE OF MASKS TEACHING SERIES- SESSION 13

    April 28, 2022
    By Steve Gallagher (Guest Author)
  • Other VideosVideos

    INTERVIEW: PURE LIFE MINISTRIES AND DUSTIN RENZ PT. 2

    May 7, 2022
    By Steve Gallagher (Guest Author)
  • Deeper in Christ

    THE CENTRAL PURPOSE OF THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

    May 3, 2022
    By Steve Gallagher (Guest Author)
  • Pile of Masks Teaching SeriesVideos

    THE PILE OF MASKS TEACHING SERIES- SESSION 12

    April 29, 2022
    By Steve Gallagher (Guest Author)
  • Other VideosVideos

    LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS SERIES PT. 3- WHEN DELILAH COMES TO CHURCH

    May 9, 2022
    By Steve Gallagher (Guest Author)

Leave a reply Cancel reply

I accept the Privacy Policy

0

Make Way Ministries is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to see the world changed one Christian at a time. We seek to inspire the Body of Christ to awaken, mature and arise as we make way for our soon-coming King, Jesus Christ.

Make Way Ministries

PO Box 292914

Kettering, OH  45429

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • SPEAKING MINISTRY: ILLINOIS CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS – MAR 2023

    By dustinrenz
    March 14, 2023
  • SPEAKING MINISTRY: THE RIVER CHURCH OF KANSAS CITY- FEB 2023

    By dustinrenz
    March 10, 2023
  • SPEAKING MINISTRY: PURE LIFE MINISTRIES- KY FEB 2023

    By dustinrenz
    February 22, 2023
  • SPEAKING MINISTRY: LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH- KY JAN 2023

    By dustinrenz
    February 22, 2023
  • WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT JESUS?

    By dustinrenz
    January 21, 2023
  • INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY: NETHERLANDS 2019

    By dustinrenz
    December 15, 2019
  • SPEAKING MINISTRY: PURE LIFE MINISTRIES- FEB 2020

    By dustinrenz
    February 12, 2020
  • INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2020

    By dustinrenz
    March 11, 2020
  • SPEAKING MINISTRY: DAYTON CHI ALPHA- APR 2020

    By dustinrenz
    May 8, 2020
  • SPEAKING MINISTRY: PURE LIFE MINISTRIES CONFERENCE 2020

    By dustinrenz
    May 11, 2020

Follow us

© Copyright Make Way Ministries. All rights reserved.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT