PRAYER

What is Prayer?

When we are born, we come into a world of sin. "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. But I was born a sinner, yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. - Psalm 51:5

Prayer is essential to a strong and personal relationship with God. Prayer is as important as salvation, studying God's Word and fasting - it is your one-on-one with your Savior. It is your time to talk to Him and share everything that is on your heart . . . and for Him to speak to you. Many people are so confused or misinformed about prayer that they don't feel comfortable doing it. Many others who do pray feel they are not doing it "right" and wonder if their prayers have any power or effect. How can we have a fruitful and meaningful prayer life?.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 1 John 5:14

Prayer is the most powerful weapon in our mouth and spirit. It allows our heart and mind to be true to God when no one else is listening. Prayer takes us on a journey of finding ourselves and the power within: (St. John 15:5 - "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”) That journey of discovery can only be taken by you and God – it leads you into places unknown by you to places that Christ has designed for you and for your life. Although your prayers are prayed by what you are aware of, know, see, feel or have experienced, God is Omniscient - meaning "all knowing." He knows what we have need of before we ask (Matthew 6:26-33). And please know that our prayers are pleasing to God, like a sweet smelling savor (Matthew 6:8) and He is attentive to our prayers (Psalms 10:17).

Why Should I Pray?

We should pray because it is how we communicate with the Lord - the One who saved us. Because we need Him for guidance, help and even companionship, we need to be in contact with Him just as we would be with anyone else we love. Further, the Bible tells us that we should pray.

Here are a few scriptures regarding prayer:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

- Romans 8:26

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

- St. John 16:12-15

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

- Matthew 7:7

Prayer is like food, water and shelter - everything you need to survive. Prayer is as necessary as the air you breathe. It is communicating to your Savior, to help you to get to know Him.

I saiah 65:24

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

- Psalm 34:8

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

- Psalm 34:15

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live..

- Psalm 116:2

Acknowledge God for Who He Is and Give Thanks

Most of us would not start a conversation with someone we love and respect without greeting them first. When we enter a room, arrive at work, or join our family for a holiday gathering the appropriate and respectful thing to do is to greet everyone who is there. They same is true when we begin our conversation with God.

Begin your prayer by acknowledging God for who He is. As your relationship with Him grows, you will have more to say about Him during this time. You will come to know Him as a provider, healer, comforter, protector. You will experience Him as the One who provides you with guidance and the One who lifts your head when you are down. You will come to know Him as your Heavenly Father and your Greatest Friend. Express these things to Him as you begin your prayer. It will remind you of Who you are addressing and will put you in the right posture of reverence for Him, but also confidence that He is the One who can and will help you in any situation.

As we begin to remind ourselves and acknowledge God for all He has done, the natural response is to be grateful and give Him thanks for being, doing, allowing or preventing everything we just thought of. Take some time – before you ask for anything – to thank God for what He has already done for you and for others.

Confess Your Sins

Confession of your sin (falling short, missing the mark) is not for God, it is for you. He already paid it all on the cross for our sins. When we come into the knowledge of Him and accept Him, we receive understanding that we have been pardoned (forgiven), because of His strong love for us. So, the confession of sin is for us – it frees us up from the weight of guilt, shame and feeling unforgiven. We are both flesh and spirit. The flesh part of us can handle sin – up to a point, at least. But it is the spirit of Christ that now dwells within us that will not tolerate the sin and so it compels us to confess. And in confession we have even more of an opportunity to talk to God.

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy

- Proverbs 28:13
As you talk with God, confess the things you have done that you know you should not have done. Talk to Him about the things that you should have done that you did not do. Confess to Him the things you said that were hurtful to someone else. You can even tell Him about the thoughts you had that were mean, selfish, petty or disturbing. Once you have learned to confess the things you know are sin, begin asking the Holy Spirit to reveal things to you that you did not know were sinful and He will.

God is not like the rest of us - He actually already knows everything you said, thought or did (not) do. The reason we confess to Him is that it helps us to get into the pattern of talking to Him about everything. Also, the Bible tells us to confess our sins because sin is a barrier between us and Him. Talking to Him about our sin and asking for forgiveness keeps us from trying to hide anything from Him and clears the air. Once you have confessed to Him, ask Him to forgive you - and He will, right then!

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened

Talk to God - Then, Listen

A conversation is an exchange between two parties but the dictionary definition of a monologue is "a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, especially one dominating or monopolizing a conversation." Now that you have acknowledged God, expressed gratitude, confessed your sin and asked for - and received - forgiveness, you are in the best position to have a real conversation with God. Talk to Him about whatever is on your mind. Ask for His help, ask for His guidance, ask for His opinion about things going on in your life.

Now, just as you would with any conversation, listen for an answer. The answer may come quickly, but some answers take longer so keep listening - even as you move on throughout the day. Answers from God come directly through His Word but may also come from internal stirrings (through the Holy Spirit). If you are unsure if God is responding to you, ask Him for clarity. To make sure that you remember what His answer is, bring a notebook into your prayer time and write down what you are hearing. Go back later and read it - God will confirm or correct it for you.