Number 48: April 24, 2006
 
There are many exhortations by God to pray recorded in His Word. There are many benefits also, to praying, listed in God’s Word.
 
I Timothy 2:1-4:
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
 
Recently I read an autobiography about Oral Roberts that was written in 1971, shortly after he had traded in his traveling tent ministry for the new television market. During his travels, he had witnessed four major categories where people were hurting the most and asking for prayer help.
 
1. People in need of spiritual and physical healing, either for themselves or loved ones, or both.
 
2. Financial needs. He saw that even though we live in the most prosperous nation in the world, that many were in serious financial trouble.
 
3. Loneliness: old and young, married and unmarried.
 
4. Trouble. Problems at home, with marriages or children or parents, in-laws, or with the church.
 
“Furthermore,” Oral Roberts contends, “that everybody has a problem, or he is a problem, or he lives with one. When one problem is solved, another takes its place. The only way a person can be helped is when he has a need and recognizes that he does. Jesus Christ came to meet needs.”
 
God is in the business of meeting needs. He does more that listen, He hears and answers prayers. We can have confidence that God is there, listening, helping, comforting..
 
I John 5:14 and 15:
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
 
So ask. Talk things over with your loving heavenly Father who wants to help. He has given His children direct access to Him all the time. His cell phone is never busy and He always answers.
 
I Thessalonians 5:17:
Pray without ceasing.