1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18, Philippians 4: 6, Acts 13

Jamie Anderson

1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18 says that we should pray without ceasing and be thanking God in everything - this is the will of God for those of us that are Christians. We were created to worship Him and if we desire to do His will then it would only makes sense to say that prayer and praise are two key components of our lives; they go hand in hand like two sides of the same coin.

I've grown up hearing this statement: 'the absence of prayer is a testimony of your ability, the presence of prayer is a testimony to God's ability'. I've always taken this to mean, that when you've spent time in prayer with God, the evidence of Him is seen through your life, likewise; if you've not spent time in prayer, the evidence of you is seen through your life.

Philippians 4: 6 says 'Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done'.

This just reiterates that like worship, prayer is a lifestyle. Simply put, prayer is talking with God. It's starts with you talking to Him, but ends up with Him talking to you and through you, it's very much like worship; you start with a thanksgiving and praise offering to God, and end up with the manifest presence of His glory.

Acts 13 is a great example of coming together to pray, fast and minister to the Lord with some pretty powerful experiences. This, like other parts of the New Testament, points towards the cost that has been paid for our freedom - so don't invalidate the sacrifice Jesus paid for you by not actively pursuing worship daily. Take some time to minister to the Lord.

There is something quite powerful when you pray to God armed with His word and even some music. Couple all this with your prayer and praise and you've got some manifest presence worship. There is a synergy that takes place in the spirit of His written word and the 'now' of His revealed words - that I believe creates an atmosphere for heaven to invade us when we spend time in prayer, declaring His praises. That is worship in and of itself.

Some of the most powerful times in worship I have experienced personally involved my prayers, praise and thanksgivings and no music at all. Equally, some of the most powerful times of corporate worship I have experienced started with corporate prayer, praise and thanksgiving; ultimately becoming enveloped in music and song.

So what are you waiting for - He's waiting for you.