Marks of a Disciple!

Love For God

Love For His People

Obedience

Forgiveness

Serving

Prayer

The sixth mark of a disciple of Christ is prayer. It is essential that a follower of Christ, one of His disciples, is a     person of prayer. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus ( 1 Thess.5:16-18).” This is an imperative to pray. As a disciple,   it is not an option. Many Christians do not have victory because they lack a prayer life.

James Hamilton lamented that Christians do not understand our privilege to pray. “Few expressions in theology are older than that which speaks of the “privilege of prayer;” but nothing could be a greater novelty in the history of some who now hear me, than to find prayer an   actual privilege.” It is indeed a privilege but also a command.

When a follower of Christ realizes that God the  Father hears our prayers, it brings peace and joy into their lives. Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, became a man and lived a sinless life. He went to the cross willingly and  became the Lamb who took away the sins of the world. He suffered, died, was buried, and rose from the dead on the     third day. He now sits at the Father’s right hand and intercedes on behalf of the elect.

When Christ died on the cross, the veil in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. There is no longer a  need for a high priest to intercede on the believer’s half. MacArthur writes, “By rending the Temple veil, God was  saying, in effect, “In the death of My Son, Jesus Christ, there is total access into My holy presence. He has paid the full  price of sin for everyone who trusts in Him, and I now throw open My holy presence to all who will come in His name.” We come to God before His throne when we pray. A disciple of Jesus Christ will be a person of prayer.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark