PRAYER IS THE ROAD TO GOD
Proverbs 3:5,6
The Bible has both direct and indirect references to prayer. Here we are called not to lean on our own understanding. How do we avoid leaning on our own understanding? It could be by praying and/or by seeking advice from others. While seeking advice from others is important, that is not what is being referred to here because it is written, "in all your ways acknowledge him." This is about going to God for understanding. This is about prayer.
This is a great promise. It is exciting to know that when we go to God for understanding, he will make our paths straight.
1. WE REMAIN IN GOD THROUGH PRAYER
John 15:4,5
We are to remain in Christ. We entered Christ through repentance and baptism, but how do we remain in him. Through prayer. And as long as we remain in him, we will bear much fruit. While fruit certainly includes new disciples made, it does not exclusively refer to that. That is not the only fruit we are expected to bear and is not the only fruit that comes from prayer and remaining in Christ.
Galatians 5:22,23
As Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit, there is no mention of numbers. It is not the size of the church that will make it attractive, but the spiritual qualities found in it. Without prayer, we will not have or grow in these qualities.
Having more baptisms, for example, does not bring peace. It is good for many to get baptized, but that in itself does not bring about spiritual richness.
Illustration: the human body grows in stages. This gives the body time to adjust to its new height weight and others dimensions gradually. When people grow too fast they end up uncoordinated and unbalanced for a while. Similarly it is natural and healthy when the church grows numerically in stages rather than grow very fast non-stop. The Galatians 5:22,23 qualities allow a church to adjust to its new size at each stage.
What's the point being a large ministry if there is no love in it? Are you more interested in growing (numerically) or praying?
The Galatians 5:22,23 qualities are evident in the first Christian church, Acts 2:42-47.
If we are not praying we will be apart from Jesus and thus unable to have the fruit of the Spirit. Only the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22,23 - will enable us to overcome the sinful nature - Galatians 5:19-21.
2. PRAYERS THAT MOVE THE ANGELS
Hebrews 1:13 Angels are ministering spirits.
Daniel 9:1-4; 20-23
Daniel prays passionately and with great humility. He confesses his sins. His prayer moves God. What earns us esteem in heaven is not the size of our ministry or our great record of mighty exploits, but prayers that move God. As God's people we need to be characterized by the humility to admit where we are wrong.
Daniel 10:1-24
v. 12: from the day he started praying, Daniel was moving angels. The key was not his words but his heart. The angel Michael moved to do battle with Satan in response to Daniel's prayer.
Daniel had sin to confess ( Daniel 9:20 above) and yet was highly esteemed before God. When your heart is right (confessing sin and praying humbly), you will gain esteem in heaven.
Acts 10:1-8
The prayerful man in this case is not a Jew. He is a Roman soldier, a non-Christian. So how did his prayers move heaven? Because of his heart. An angel was dispatched to his side while he was in prayer. It is not clear what exactly Cornelius was praying for, but God certainly gave him what he needed.
Daniel and Cornelius have this in common: humility of their hearts and an unshakable belief in an love for God.
Prayer is the road to God. Let us get on that road, let us remain in Him, and let us move the angels!