In Theory: Prayer is a way of life

Q. Christian and Jewish faithful will begin to observe their respective holy days, with observances of Lent, Purim and Passover taking place all over the world. What does the Bible teach us about entering these holy days with a sense of prayer?

I hate to give the pat answer for this question, but believers of all faiths understand that prayer is a way of life, not just an act we perform while we are in church or sitting down to eat a meal, or even when trouble is on the horizon. On this I can only speak for myself (as well as I would hope) all evangelicals wherever they may be.

We believe when we pray we are literally communicating to, as well as hearing from, our heavenly father. The Bible tells us there is one mediator between God and man, and that being Christ Jesus the Lord. So prayerful communication with God through Jesus Christ is essential for our spiritual existence.

We are taught to “Pray without ceasing.” The Apostle Paul when writing his letter to Timothy said, “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8).

Throughout the Bible we see men and women praying to God and God answering their prayer from his throne of grace. For instance when Hanna, barren and unable to bare a child, prayed to God, he answered and gave to her a male child she called Samuel who became the first prophet to Israel.

I could cite prayer after prayer which God answered with his wonderful favor. However as to the question “what the Bible teaches about these specific holy days,” for the evangelical church, Easter of course is the most important holy day celebration of the year. It is the time Christ rose from the dead for the salvation of the world.

Many churches observe what is commonly called holy week, which is a time to reflect on the days which lead up to the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So they will start with the Passover dinner with Jesus and his disciples and take each event leading up to good Friday, his crucifixion, and then of course, celibrate his resurrection on the Sunday following.

It is a wonderful time to not only reflect, but to realize the reality of all that Jesus has done for us by His grace.

“By grace you are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.”

Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  GARY RUFF is pastor of Calvary Chapel of the Foothills in La Cañada. Reach him at (818) 790-0064.