Needed: Women of Prayer!

God's Word is filled with examples of prayer, answers to prayer, and the power of prayer.  In fact, the apostle Paul admonishes us in I Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing.  Of course we can't be on our knees continually or be engaged in constant prayer, but it is wonderful to live in the spirit of prayer---with our hearts lifted to God throughout the day, meditating in His law day and night.

It is very comforting to know that God's eye is continually upon us and His ear continually open to our cry.  (Psalm 34:15)  He even knows the very thoughts and intents of our heart.  (Hebrews 4:12)  We can tell Jesus everything --  I love the verse in Psalm 62:8 -- "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us."

There are many types of prayer.  Psalm 100:4 says:  "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name."  (We can't stay depressed very long when we are thanking and praising our wonderful Lord!)
There is Prayer for physical and temporal needs.
There is Prayer for guidance---seeking God's will and direction.
There is Prayer for those in authority---our state and national leaders.
There is Prayer for church leaders---missionaries, pastors, evangelists, Bible College presidents, etc.
These are all important, but I believe our greatest need is that of intercessory prayer---pleading with God for the souls of men.  In Isaiah 66:8 it says ...as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
The prophet Jeremiah was so burdened for his nation that he prayed in Jeremiah 9:1:  "Oh that my head were waters,  and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night . . ."
In Ezekiel 22: 30, God spoke such sad words through the prophet -- "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."
I think of Esther, Moses, the prophet Joel, the apostle Paul and others whom God used mightily! 
I believe God wants to use you and me today if we will let Him.

Let's purpose to be women (men, too) of prayer so that the Lord won't have to say, "I looked for a man--a woman to be faithful in prayer, but I couldn't find any."  Paul tell us in Ephesians 3:20 that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Let us say with the Psalmist,  "...I give myself unto prayer."