Tucked away in Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth story is a woman named Anna. A widow for almost all of her adult life, the Bible says this about how Anna spent decades of time:
Luke 2:37 (CSB)
…She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.
Anna’s dedication to prayer was counted as service to the Lord. Prayer can be viewed as service in some very practical and important ways.
First, Prayer serves God. When we pray, we aren’t providing God with information that He needs. But we are providing God with interaction that He wants. Scripture is filled with examples of how God invites us to call upon Him, seek Him, ask of Him, and cry out to Him. Because God desires for us to have this dynamic, active relationship with Him, we serve Him when we pray.
Second, Prayer serves Others. Within His own sovereign authority, God has determined to work through the prayers of His people to accomplish something in another person’s life. In Acts 12, Peter is in prison, but the Bible makes a point to note that the church was praying for him. God miraculously delivers Peter in response to those prayers. We also serve others in prayer by letting them know that we are lifting up their needs to the Father. Many are encouraged to hear that someone else is praying for them.
Third, Prayer is a service to yourself. In 1 Samuel 12:23, Samuel remarks that to fail to pray for the people of Israel would be a sin against the Lord. Praying for others is an act of service to self because it maintains personal holiness, closeness to God, and greater understanding of His will.
Like Anna, when you pray you are serving God!
Written by David Bond, Executive Administrator, Arkansas Baptist State Convention
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