Breaking the Chains--Prayerlessness

Breaking the chains that bind us is extremely important in this day of preparation for the next "move of God" in His Church.  This is a time of sanctifying our self nature for God will not share His glory with man's fleshlife.  He will glorify Himself in us but the glory will all be His.  Prayer becomes more important now for we benefit so much from prayer.  Even our food is sanctified by prayer.  Every created thing is sanctified by prayer, so we have a responsibility to not only be thankful in all things, but to pray without ceasing.  Pray for one another and especially those who bear the responsibility of service and teaching.  They bear not only the responsibility of speaking God's Word to His people but they will be judged by the Word they speak.
Why are we lacking in prayer?  Again, unbelief works in us to fail in this response of prayer.  There is no greater challenge to our faith than to step out boldly in prayer.  One reason, I am sure, is the feeling of condemnation that prevents our being positive that we will be heard.  The recorded prayers of Jesus are for our sake.  When He stood at the tomb of Lazarus and said, "I know you always hear me when I pray....."  (John 11:41-43) He gave us this understanding of His approach to prayer.
Why is prayer so difficult?  We may not understand the power of prayer, but Satan does.  He fears the fervent prayers of the saints.  If he can keep you from praying, he can keep you from binding his efforts to keep the church powerless.  Satan can keep the church from knowing the humility that comes from a life of prayer.  This humility is not the humility of helplessness and poverty.  It comes from knowing and identifying with the power and riches that are in Christ Jesus.  It comes from that dependence on the Spirit of God to give you wisdom and knowledge and direct your steps and words, and yes, even your thoughts.  This is the humility that says with Paul, "I can do all things through Christ Jesus, Who strengthens me."
We do not understand how important this humility is to us and to God.  He resists the proud.  Pride is the basis of most every sin.  We do not realize how subject we are to pride.  We pride ourselves in our control, our place, our organizing ability, our accomplishments, our experience, our education, our "self".  This pride is also the basis of self-condemnation and embarassment.  It is the essence of the fear of man and what "people will say!"
How do we pray without ceasing?  Start with being thankful in all things.  Let an attitude of thanksgiving be a part of your spirit and soul.  Then, in whatever you do, in word or deed, do it wholeheartedly as unto the Lord.  Let an awareness be in you of the contintual presence of the Lord.  A communion with the Lord will follow that becomes a part of your very nature and is always there to hold any circumstance or person before the Lord in prayer.
The early Church moved by power of prayer.  This last-day Church will also be brought to maturity, deliverance and power by the power of prayer.