Now is the time of prayer

Jer 33:3 Now is the time of prayer
We have only 15 days in 2002. People want to finish this year best and they want to live more hopeful life in the new year 2003. But sometimes our present problems block us. At this moment we need to pray. Especially at the end of this year God says to us, "Pray !" If we pray, God shows us great and unsearchable things we do not know. But if we do not pray, something bad may happen to us. Therefore Jesus says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."(Matt 26:41)
Do you want to enjoy hope, joy and happiness in the new year ? Do you want to hear joyful news ? Then pray strongly especially at the end of this year. After Jesus was crucified, the disciples of Jesus lost hope. But when they prayed, they received the Holy Spirit and recovered hope, and they could change the world.
Prayer is like the battery of cars. If you have a very nice car, but the battery is out, your car is nothing but an iron. Likewise if we do not pray, we become nothings. Jesus spent his life with prayer. When he began his public life, he prayed and fasted for 40 days. And when he finished his life, he prayed earnestly. Bible says, "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears."(Heb 5:7)
Prayer is breathing. Prayer is the key, by which we can open and lock the door of everyday. God says to us, "Pray continually."(1 Thess 5:17) When we pray, the idea of God springs up from our heart. But if we do not pray, we forget what we have to do, and we lose hope. God wants to show great things. To whom ? To the persons of prayer.
Daniel was the one of the busiest man in the country. He was the prime minister. But he prayed three times a day. Therefore God showed him the secrets of the future. Moses was also the man of prayer. When he faced the big problems, he prayed to God, and God heard his prayer and helped him.
Bible tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."(Phil 4:6-7)
God is the Father of us. And we are his children. If we ask God by prayer, he gives us good things free. Especially when two of us on earth agree about anything we ask for, God promised, "It will be done for you !" (Matt 18:19) But when we pray, we have to know that God does not listen to our empty plea.(Job 35:13), and God does not give us what we ask for, if we ask with wrong motives.(Jam 4:3)
And bible says, "When he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubt is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. The man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord."(Jam 1:6-7)
Brothers and sisters, the most important thing of today and tomorrow is prayer. Especially at the end of this year we have to pray. Then the hopeful new year will await us. Amen !