Throughout the month we’ve been pondering famous quotes of Martin Luther.  In this, the last week of October, we’ll consider two famous quotes of his regarding prayer.

Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a goodly Christian weapon.  And…

I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.

The Mission of 2KM is to encourage and equip Christians to effectively engage in Church and State (the Right and Left Hand Kingdoms).  There are many ways we can effectively engage in these two kingdoms, and one activity engages us effectively in both kingdoms simultaneously.  That activity: Prayer.

The above quotes of Luther emphasize two things: the importance of prayer, and the power of prayer.  In his Epistle, James reminds us that the prayers of the righteous have great power in their effect (Jms 5:16).

To the righteous by grace through faith: pray constantly (1 Thes. 5:17).  Pray fervently!  It is our chief weapon of (spiritual) warfare – a weapon of divine power that destroys enemy strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4).  When the prayers of the righteous go up, the blessings of the Almighty come down.

Because the needs are so great, there is much to bathe in prayer.  So much, that much time ought to be spent interceding on behalf of family, friends, neighbors, Church and State and their respective leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-4), as well as their personnel, policies, and practices…  And don’t forget to pray for yourself!  Begin with confession of sin…  I do.  Then, with purified heart, mind and spirit, pray as the Spirit leads.

May I encourage you to spend much time in prayer, and may I suggest that you carve out a good chunk of time for this each day, early in the day, as Luther suggests and models.  Find or make your own prayer closet (aka “war room”) into which you can enter and speak to God without distraction and interruption.  Pour out your heart and soul to Him who created all that exists and who has promised to hear the cries of His children and answer them.

The most important thing we can do to effect and impact both kingdoms for good is to pray.

As the disciples asked Jesus, so let us also ask, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1), that our prayers may be effectual; and then, let’s get down on our knees (daily) and pray!