by Ashley Bumgarner

fer·vent: Hot; glowing; boiling; burning

In the midst of our troubles, worries, fears, and suffering we often are aimless with prayer. We speak to God only when we have need, and we lose sight of who He is when trouble comes. Why does this pattern happen? Because we are not seeking God fervently in the secret place of our heart. 

Everyone should pray—spending time with God and making requests known (personal, ministry, family needs, etc.) But is this enough? Is it enough to toss up a few prayers to the Holy of Holies with a retrospect that He might get the message? Is it enough to plan out our daily prayers in a devotional, but to never live out the pages? Is it enough to say, “I’ll pray for you,” but never follow through? 

Brothers and sisters, there is a higher calling. We are called to pray, and to pray fervently! Pray with a burning heat. Have you watched boiling water? As the water rolls, a beautiful display of activity is seen! The water is lively and prepared for its’ purpose. How lively is your prayer life?

In James 5:17-18 (NKJV) we read, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

I want to press upon you the importance of your prayer life. Prayer is our access to the Lord. We must learn to pray. 

There are different types of prayer:

1. Petition- Requests 

2. Supplication- Very intense, even to the point of feeling sick

3. Thanksgiving

4. Adoration

There are 3 things that add weight to our prayers: 

1. Faith

2. Fervency

3. Fasting

Beloved, ask the Lord to help you. Ask Him to give you the grace to pray for an hour a day, and then slowly increase your prayer time. Yes! You do have the time, it must be bridled—brought under control. The Lord will mercifully aid you. Our flesh will fight, but we must learn. I hope you can understand the importance of your prayer life.