Prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a critical lesson for our prideful hearts. If God gave us blessings without prayer, we'd never realize our deep need. True prayer reveals our wants and hidden poverty. It’s an appeal to divine riches and a confession of human emptiness. A Christian should always feel empty in themselves and rely on the Lord. We're poor in self but rich in Jesus, personally weak but mighty through God.

Prayer alone is a tremendous benefit, even before it receives an answer. Like a runner gains strength from exercise, we gain energy for life's race through prayer. It strengthens and equips us for the challenges ahead. An earnest prayer can renew us like the sunrise, filling us with strength for the journey. Prayer achieves what our own efforts can't, transforming weakness into strength, folly into wisdom, and turmoil into peace. Who can say what prayer cannot do? We praise you, Lord, for the mercy-seat, a testament to your incredible love. Help us use it well today!