Jude 20-21 “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

We live in a world and a time in the church arena where education is taking a preeminence in the lives of ministers, they are evaluated based upon the degree behind their name.  This is not an attack on education, I am in the process of graduating with my undergraduate and then pursuing a Masters degree, so this is not an anti-education post. This post is based upon the concept of my great-grandfather that “kneelogy is more important than theology”. This may sound strange, so let me explain, it is based on the principles outlined in the above verses by Jude. What my great-grandfather wanted to convey is that prayer is the most important part of a person’s life. The reason is it is a connection to God and only an encounter with God can change someone’s life and transform their purpose, dreams, and drive.  Theology tends to depend upon human reasoning to win arguments and lay out doctrine and teaching. Prayer makes us dependent upon the Divine and the supernatural.

1. Through prayer, we build ourselves up (uplift and encourage) this is aided by praying in unity with the Holy Spirit.  Prayers can be offered and not be effective if they leave out the Holy Spirit.  One cannot effectively pray and be built up without coming to grips with our sinfulness and need for redemption. Ephesians 6:18.
2. Prayer keeps us in the love of God.  It is a continual reminder of our value and worth to the Creator.  1 John 4:16 tells us that God is Love, it is His character and essence.
3. It is through prayer that we reach out for the mercy that we need for our own lives, but it also allows us to draw upon His mercy in dealing with others. Hebrews 4:16.

So, let us focus once again our prayers to God that we may be edified, that we may be reminded of our worth and value, that we might experience and offer mercy.

Phil