In this article we want to look at some steps to being successful in prayer. We all want results from our prayers, but many a time we don't seem to be heard. Last time we talked about hindrances. Now on a positive, we want to look some steps that will help us. Now there is no magic formula for successful prayer, but I believe the Bible gives us some helpful guidelines.
First of all is important for us to abide in Christ.
John 15:7 - "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
What does it mean to remain in Christ. It means living according to God's plan. It means being in the center of God's will. We do this by remaining in contact with Him through prayer, fellowship and His Word.
Let see how the Psalmist says this in Psalms 37:4 -"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
As a Father, which of your children would you more joyfully help and give to, would it be the one who delights you or the one who grieves. Of course, it will be the on who delights in you. It doesn't mean that the Father loves one greater than the other, but loves to be with and bless the one who shows his love towards him. SEE Psalms 145:18-20
The second step is ask according to God's will.
I John 5:14,15 -"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."
How do we know God's will? We know it as we look into His Word and listen to His Holy Spirit. Also, we need to use our common sense. If use ask God for the necessities of life, you can be assured that He will give them to you, anything beyond that is up to the Father's discretion, He may or may not as He sees fit. This doesn't mean you can't believe God for great things. God loves to give us good and big gifts because He loves to lavish His love on us.
Thirdly, our motives are important in successful prayer.
James 4:3 - "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
Does this mean our pleasure is not important to God. No, it doesn't mean this, but our good and the good of others is more important to God. What ask for our own pleasure is often not good for us and may not be good for those around us. If we ask for the good of God and the good of others our prayer success rate will rise. SEE 2 Kings 4:32-35
Fourthly, we are to pray in the Spirit.
Jude 1:20 - "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."
When we prayin the Spirit, we are being led by the Spirit in our prayer. When we do this, we pray God's will and purposes, and we can't fail. You have heard of high praises. This is high prayers. SEE Ephesians 6:17-19
Fifthly we are to pray earnestly and/or intensely.
James 5:17- "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years"
Acts 12:5 - "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."
I Thessalonians 3:10 - "Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith."
When we pray earneslty, it shows the Father how much we really want what we are asking. Yes, God knows our heart, but He likes us to express what is in our hearts. I bleieve that our earnestness moves the heart and hand of God.
Sixthly we are not only to earnestly seek the answer or gift, but we are to earnestly seek God our Father.
Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
It is interesting here, he says God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. The Bible says, seek you first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) Even in this world, one is more ready to help the person who has a relationship with, and one who is not just after the gift.
I trust these six steps help you in your prayer life. The Bible teaches that He loves to bless His children and loves to hear us pray. Yet, we must follow the principles laid out in God's Word to be more successful in our prayer lives.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Hindrances to Prayer
The apostle James speaks of a hindrance to pray, which could be one of our greatest hindrances. Let us look at James 1:5-7.
"5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;"
We see here that God loves to give to all without finding a reason not to give. Yet, James says, our unbelief hinders God’s answer to our prayers. If we doubt, we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Faith is being certian that God will give you what you ask Him. God knows our hearts and minds. He knows if we are asking in full faith. Where does faith come from? Can we talk ourselves into having faith? Not usually, faith comes from God and His Word.
Matt. 13:54-58 says, "54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
They didn't receive their miracle because of lack of faith. They lacked faith because they looked at the vessel instead of the one who sent the vessel. How true this can be of us. When our eyes are not fixed on God, we will lose faith.
Another hindrance to our prayers is a lack of knowledge or understanding of the will of God.
James 4:3 - "3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
Many times we pray and don't receive what we ask for because we are asking what we want, not what God wants. Often we do this in ignorance.
Another hindrance to prayer is pride. Let us look at Luke 18:9-14.
"9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about[himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.14I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
13But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.14I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Of these two men, the one God heard and gave what he asked for is the one who humbled himself before God. God doesn't owe us anything, and if we come to Him with this attitude, we shouldn't expect to receive anything from Him.
Unforgiveness is another hindrance to prayer. Let us look at Mark 11:25-26.
"25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
Our relationship to the Father is intertwined or connected to our relationship with our brother in Christ. If our relationship with our brother or sister in Christ is not right, it will be a hindrance to our prayers.
Another relationship that needs to be right before God in order for God to hear our prayers is our relationship with our wife.
I Peter 3:7 says, "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
This goes two ways. If our relationship with our spouse is not good, it will be a hindrance to our prayers.
A real big hindrance to our prayers is the sin in our lives. Sin breaks the line of communication. A life of sin separates us from God.
Isaiah 59:1-2 says, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
You may be wondering why God may not be answering your prayer. It could be because you are living a sinful life. No one is perfect, God knows this. We don't have to be without sin or perfect to receive the answer to our prayers, but the more we sin, the greater the separation and greater is the chance of God not hearing your prayer. Take note that He did not say iniquity, but iniquities. An accumulation of sins hinders God in answering our prayers.
One who continues to disobey God willingly is in rebellion. Rebellion brings God judgement and unwillingness to listen.
Jeremiah 11:10-11 says, "10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to listen to my words. They have followed other gods to serve them. Both the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their forefathers. 11 Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. Although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them."
The prayers of those who don’t obey God’s Word is an abomination to the Lord.
Proverbs 28:9 -"9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable."
Wow! I hope that we never find ourselves in this situation.
Well, praise be to God, He desires to restore those who have fallen and turned away from Him. Therefore, He has given us a very specail promise in I John 1:9.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Look at your own life and ask God, what is hindering the answers to your prayer. God loves His children and wants to give them good gifts.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
I hope that you have been enjoying this teaching blog and pray that you are growing in the Lord. Today we will look at the Lord's prayer which is found in Luke 11:1-4.
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.' "
It says, "when you pray". Jesus took it for granted that we are to pray. Also, Jesus is indicating that we are to pray this way every time we pray. He is not saying that we are to pray these words every time we pray, but are to pray in this way. Jesus did not intend for his disciples to recite this prayer. The disciples did not ask Jesus to teach them a prayer, but how to pray. Jesus is teaching His disciples the basics of a prayer.
Jesus said, "our Father in heaven". He is saying we are to pray to the Father. Also, he is indicating where the Father is and what kind of father He is which is our heavenly Father. Who is greater, the one in heaven or the one on earth? The one in heaven. This is why we are to look to the Father. Also, Jesus was showing them the Father and son relationship in prayer.
Rom. 8:15,16 says, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."
What a privilage we have that we can go before God as our Father and He recognizes us as His sons. The word "Abba" is an endearing term. It is like saying daddy. The Lord wants to have a personal relationship with us. Wow!
Jesus said "hallowed be your name". In the Bible when the speaks of the name of God, they are not directly speaking about the name, but the person and their attributes. Take a brief moment to reflect on the wonderful attributes of God. Hallowed means to make holy, to purify, to consecrate, to regard with respect
or reverence, to appreciate, to hold dear.Jesus is teaching them, even though God is our Father, we are to come before Him humbly, with respect and in an honorable way. Jesus is teaching them, to come into God’s presence with praise or exaltation.
Jesus said we are to say, "your kingdom come" What is most important to God? Is that His kingdom be established.What is most important to you, your kingdom or God’s kingdom? How can we know if we are building our kingdom or God’s? By examining our attitudes and thoughts. Are we doing what we are doing for God or ourselves? Are your thoughts directed mostly towards yourself or God? By seeing if our actions line up with God’s purposes and principles in His Word.
The word “come” here in the greek is “ercomehe” which means to come from over there to over here”. Jesus is saying, call those things that be not as though they were. Jesus is saying, ask that God’s kingdom come from heaven and be established on earth.
Jesus said, "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Whose will is more important? God’s Are we to pray according to our will? NO Why must we ask God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Because he chooses to use us to accomplish His will on earth. Because by doing this, we align ourselves to God’s will.
One definition of prayer is that prayer is taking a situation before the Lord, hearing His answer, and speaking forth God’s will into the situation. In this way we bring heaven to earth.
We are to pray, "give us our daily bread". Does God know we need daily bread? Yes, He knows are every need, but he wants to hear us say them. In this way we show our dependence on God and His provision.
We are to say, "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us". Sin is a hinderance in our relationship with God and a hinderance to effective prayer. Therefore, we need to reconcile with God and others. We see hear that God's response to our prayer of forgiveness is based on our willingness to forgive others. Do you know someone you haven't forgiven, do it now, go to them and be reconciled.
And we are to say, "And lead us not into temptation". There are many temptations in this life, and only with God's help will we be able to resist them. God wants us to live holy and Godly lives.
I pray that this teaching blessed you.
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.' "
It says, "when you pray". Jesus took it for granted that we are to pray. Also, Jesus is indicating that we are to pray this way every time we pray. He is not saying that we are to pray these words every time we pray, but are to pray in this way. Jesus did not intend for his disciples to recite this prayer. The disciples did not ask Jesus to teach them a prayer, but how to pray. Jesus is teaching His disciples the basics of a prayer.
Jesus said, "our Father in heaven". He is saying we are to pray to the Father. Also, he is indicating where the Father is and what kind of father He is which is our heavenly Father. Who is greater, the one in heaven or the one on earth? The one in heaven. This is why we are to look to the Father. Also, Jesus was showing them the Father and son relationship in prayer.
Rom. 8:15,16 says, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."
What a privilage we have that we can go before God as our Father and He recognizes us as His sons. The word "Abba" is an endearing term. It is like saying daddy. The Lord wants to have a personal relationship with us. Wow!
Jesus said "hallowed be your name". In the Bible when the speaks of the name of God, they are not directly speaking about the name, but the person and their attributes. Take a brief moment to reflect on the wonderful attributes of God. Hallowed means to make holy, to purify, to consecrate, to regard with respect
or reverence, to appreciate, to hold dear.Jesus is teaching them, even though God is our Father, we are to come before Him humbly, with respect and in an honorable way. Jesus is teaching them, to come into God’s presence with praise or exaltation.
Jesus said we are to say, "your kingdom come" What is most important to God? Is that His kingdom be established.What is most important to you, your kingdom or God’s kingdom? How can we know if we are building our kingdom or God’s? By examining our attitudes and thoughts. Are we doing what we are doing for God or ourselves? Are your thoughts directed mostly towards yourself or God? By seeing if our actions line up with God’s purposes and principles in His Word.
The word “come” here in the greek is “ercomehe” which means to come from over there to over here”. Jesus is saying, call those things that be not as though they were. Jesus is saying, ask that God’s kingdom come from heaven and be established on earth.
Jesus said, "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Whose will is more important? God’s Are we to pray according to our will? NO Why must we ask God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Because he chooses to use us to accomplish His will on earth. Because by doing this, we align ourselves to God’s will.
One definition of prayer is that prayer is taking a situation before the Lord, hearing His answer, and speaking forth God’s will into the situation. In this way we bring heaven to earth.
We are to pray, "give us our daily bread". Does God know we need daily bread? Yes, He knows are every need, but he wants to hear us say them. In this way we show our dependence on God and His provision.
We are to say, "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us". Sin is a hinderance in our relationship with God and a hinderance to effective prayer. Therefore, we need to reconcile with God and others. We see hear that God's response to our prayer of forgiveness is based on our willingness to forgive others. Do you know someone you haven't forgiven, do it now, go to them and be reconciled.
And we are to say, "And lead us not into temptation". There are many temptations in this life, and only with God's help will we be able to resist them. God wants us to live holy and Godly lives.
I pray that this teaching blessed you.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Prayer Life of Jesus
This article will take a look at the prayer life of Jesus. As in all things, Jesus should be our example, and through studying His prayer life we can learn meany things.
In Mark 1:35, we see Jesus praying early in the morning in a solitary place. Jesus did this often. I believe He chose this time and place because he would be undisturbed. Often we need to get up before others, in order to find a quiet time or look for an isolated place where we can fully center our attention on God. Also for some, this is when they are fresh and their minds are clear. For others, the late riser or one who wakes slowly, this may not be the best time. We do not always have to find a quiet place to pray. We can pray at any time, but there is something special about getting away with God.
In Luke 6:12,13, we see Jesus prayed on a mountian and at night. We see that He prayed all night. Why did Jesus do this? Jesus did this because He was about to make a major decision. He was going to choose His twelve disciples. We always need to pray before we make any decision, but even more so when it is a major decisions.
As we have already mentioned, Jesus often went off to be alone in prayer.
In Luke 5:16,17, Jesus went of to a lonely place to renew himself after healing many that He might go back out in the authority and power of God. We in the same way as ministers of the Gospel, need to find places of prayer where we can refresh oursleves in order that we may continue to minister in His power. (see Mark 6:46)
In John 17:9, we see that Jesus prayed for us. He prayed that His Father would protect us. He prayed that we be one. He prayed that we have the full measure of His joy. He prayed that we be protected from the evil one. He prayed that they be sanctified. He prayed that we might be with Him and see His glory. He prayed that God’s love be shown through them. This prayer shows God's love and concern for us. Also, it shows God's will for our lives. We to need to pray one for another in this way.
Let us look at Jesus prayer at Gethsemane. (Matt. 26:36-46)
Why did Jesus go and pray in Gethsemane? Jesus went here to pray and be strengthened because He knew His death was near. In the same way, in times of difficulty we need to go to the Lord in prayer and draw strength from Him.
What did Jesus want his disciples to do while He prayed? He wanted them to be in prayer.
Why do you think the disciples didn’t pray with Jesus? They didn’t know what Jesus knew.
If they knew what Jesus knew, they would have been in prayer. Jesus tells His disciples to pray so that they might have the strength to not fall into temptation. Spending time with the Lord is essential to our spiritual strength and protection from temptation. Yet, prayer in itself is not enough. We need to yeild ourselves to the Holy Spirit and need the help of others to be strong.
I thank the Lord that he not only prayed for us and His disciples back in Bible times, but He is still praying for us today.
Hebrews 7:25 - "Therefore he is able to save completel those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
In Mark 1:35, we see Jesus praying early in the morning in a solitary place. Jesus did this often. I believe He chose this time and place because he would be undisturbed. Often we need to get up before others, in order to find a quiet time or look for an isolated place where we can fully center our attention on God. Also for some, this is when they are fresh and their minds are clear. For others, the late riser or one who wakes slowly, this may not be the best time. We do not always have to find a quiet place to pray. We can pray at any time, but there is something special about getting away with God.
In Luke 6:12,13, we see Jesus prayed on a mountian and at night. We see that He prayed all night. Why did Jesus do this? Jesus did this because He was about to make a major decision. He was going to choose His twelve disciples. We always need to pray before we make any decision, but even more so when it is a major decisions.
As we have already mentioned, Jesus often went off to be alone in prayer.
In Luke 5:16,17, Jesus went of to a lonely place to renew himself after healing many that He might go back out in the authority and power of God. We in the same way as ministers of the Gospel, need to find places of prayer where we can refresh oursleves in order that we may continue to minister in His power. (see Mark 6:46)
In John 17:9, we see that Jesus prayed for us. He prayed that His Father would protect us. He prayed that we be one. He prayed that we have the full measure of His joy. He prayed that we be protected from the evil one. He prayed that they be sanctified. He prayed that we might be with Him and see His glory. He prayed that God’s love be shown through them. This prayer shows God's love and concern for us. Also, it shows God's will for our lives. We to need to pray one for another in this way.
Let us look at Jesus prayer at Gethsemane. (Matt. 26:36-46)
Why did Jesus go and pray in Gethsemane? Jesus went here to pray and be strengthened because He knew His death was near. In the same way, in times of difficulty we need to go to the Lord in prayer and draw strength from Him.
What did Jesus want his disciples to do while He prayed? He wanted them to be in prayer.
Why do you think the disciples didn’t pray with Jesus? They didn’t know what Jesus knew.
If they knew what Jesus knew, they would have been in prayer. Jesus tells His disciples to pray so that they might have the strength to not fall into temptation. Spending time with the Lord is essential to our spiritual strength and protection from temptation. Yet, prayer in itself is not enough. We need to yeild ourselves to the Holy Spirit and need the help of others to be strong.
I thank the Lord that he not only prayed for us and His disciples back in Bible times, but He is still praying for us today.
Hebrews 7:25 - "Therefore he is able to save completel those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Two Languages of Prayer
I Corinthians 14:14-15, "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also."
In these two verses the apostle Paul mention two prayer languages: one praying in the spirit and the other praying with the mind. When we look at this chapter as a whole, Paul is addressing a problem in the Corinthian church which is the missuse of the gift of tongues. His emphasis in this chapter is the importance of understanding what one is saying in the church. Therefore, when one gives a message in tongues their needs to be an interpretation to be understood.
Praying here in the Spirit means praying in tongues or in a language that the Holy Spirit has given you which you never learned or understand. When you pray in tongues the Spirit of God is giving you the words to say, and they do not come from the mouth. The opposite to praying in the Spirit is praying with your mind which will be in a language that you have already learned.
Praying in the Spirit can mean something other than praying in tongues. It can speak of communicating directly to God through the Holy Spirit.
We find this in Ephesians 6:18. "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view,be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,"
Praying in the Spirit could be with words or without words, but the important thing and distinctive thing is the Holy Spirit is talking directly to God through you. Often a believer who is seeking God whole heartedly and runs out of words, his spirit will groan in him and speak directly to the Father. Yet, this must be cultivated through a life of prayer.
Why is important that we don't always pray using our words or mind?
Our minds are imperfect and can be a hinderance to effective prayer.
When we pray in the Spirit, we pray exactly what the Father wants to hear because the Holy Spirit knows the mind of Christ fully. We pray according to the will of God. As result,We pray with greater authority. (see John 16:13)
Secondly it builds our faith. (see Jude 1:20; Romans 8:26,27)
Lastly it edifies us. (see I Corinthians 14:2,4)
If you are not yet baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues,ask God right now to pour out His Spirit and power on you.
In these two verses the apostle Paul mention two prayer languages: one praying in the spirit and the other praying with the mind. When we look at this chapter as a whole, Paul is addressing a problem in the Corinthian church which is the missuse of the gift of tongues. His emphasis in this chapter is the importance of understanding what one is saying in the church. Therefore, when one gives a message in tongues their needs to be an interpretation to be understood.
Praying here in the Spirit means praying in tongues or in a language that the Holy Spirit has given you which you never learned or understand. When you pray in tongues the Spirit of God is giving you the words to say, and they do not come from the mouth. The opposite to praying in the Spirit is praying with your mind which will be in a language that you have already learned.
Praying in the Spirit can mean something other than praying in tongues. It can speak of communicating directly to God through the Holy Spirit.
We find this in Ephesians 6:18. "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view,be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,"
Praying in the Spirit could be with words or without words, but the important thing and distinctive thing is the Holy Spirit is talking directly to God through you. Often a believer who is seeking God whole heartedly and runs out of words, his spirit will groan in him and speak directly to the Father. Yet, this must be cultivated through a life of prayer.
Why is important that we don't always pray using our words or mind?
Our minds are imperfect and can be a hinderance to effective prayer.
When we pray in the Spirit, we pray exactly what the Father wants to hear because the Holy Spirit knows the mind of Christ fully. We pray according to the will of God. As result,We pray with greater authority. (see John 16:13)
Secondly it builds our faith. (see Jude 1:20; Romans 8:26,27)
Lastly it edifies us. (see I Corinthians 14:2,4)
If you are not yet baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues,ask God right now to pour out His Spirit and power on you.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Forms of Prayer
I have a question for you. What is prayer? It seems like a question that doesn't even need to be asked because the answer is so simple, but is it simple. Where do we find the answer to this question. In the Bible of course.
Let us begin by looking at the many forms of prayer.There is conversational prayer. Conversational prayer is simply talking to God as a child would talk to their father, not necessarily with any objective or goal in mind. Maybe we could call it informal or casual prayer.
Galatians 4:6 - "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
We have a great privilege. We can go to the Father at any time and chat with Him. We don't have to go through another person. We don't have to get dressed up or be all formal. When was the last time you chatted with God.
Another form of prayer we see in God's word is that which is called petition. Petition is asking or making a request.
I Chronicles 4:10 - "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request". (See John 16:23,24)
For most Christians this is the kind of prayer most offered unto God. Many Christians remain at this level of prayer. Nothing is wrong with this kind of prayer, but there are greater levels of prayer as we will see.
Another form of prayer is what the Bible calls supplication, which means entreat. It is similar to the prayer of petition, but more intense. It could be called a prayer of longing or plea.
Hebrews 5:7 - "In the days of His flesh,He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety." (See I Kings 8:33)
There is one form of prayer that is often neglected by believers. It is the prayer of intercession. Intercessory prayer is when we pray on an others behalf.
I Timothy 2:1 - "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone" (See Colossians 4:12)
This is a very important aspect of prayer. I believe one who has a mature prayer life will spend more time praying for others than themselves. A believer who spends most of their time praying for themselves is probably a self-centered Christian.
Another form of prayer which I like to call the prayer of agreement can be very powerful tool in our prayer life.
Matthew 18:19_ "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."
This is more than believers coming together for prayer, but it when believers pray together for the same things.
Another kind of prayer is what some would call the prayer of warfare.
Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
There is times that we need to do warfare with the powers of darkness by God's Spirit and through prayer. There is a spiritual battle waging and one way to be actively involved in this battle is through prayer. Through prayer we can bring down the strongholds of the enemy.
I challenge you to develop your prayer life and use all these forms of prayer that are at our disposal.
Let us begin by looking at the many forms of prayer.There is conversational prayer. Conversational prayer is simply talking to God as a child would talk to their father, not necessarily with any objective or goal in mind. Maybe we could call it informal or casual prayer.
Galatians 4:6 - "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
We have a great privilege. We can go to the Father at any time and chat with Him. We don't have to go through another person. We don't have to get dressed up or be all formal. When was the last time you chatted with God.
Another form of prayer we see in God's word is that which is called petition. Petition is asking or making a request.
I Chronicles 4:10 - "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request". (See John 16:23,24)
For most Christians this is the kind of prayer most offered unto God. Many Christians remain at this level of prayer. Nothing is wrong with this kind of prayer, but there are greater levels of prayer as we will see.
Another form of prayer is what the Bible calls supplication, which means entreat. It is similar to the prayer of petition, but more intense. It could be called a prayer of longing or plea.
Hebrews 5:7 - "In the days of His flesh,He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety." (See I Kings 8:33)
There is one form of prayer that is often neglected by believers. It is the prayer of intercession. Intercessory prayer is when we pray on an others behalf.
I Timothy 2:1 - "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone" (See Colossians 4:12)
This is a very important aspect of prayer. I believe one who has a mature prayer life will spend more time praying for others than themselves. A believer who spends most of their time praying for themselves is probably a self-centered Christian.
Another form of prayer which I like to call the prayer of agreement can be very powerful tool in our prayer life.
Matthew 18:19_ "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."
This is more than believers coming together for prayer, but it when believers pray together for the same things.
Another kind of prayer is what some would call the prayer of warfare.
Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
There is times that we need to do warfare with the powers of darkness by God's Spirit and through prayer. There is a spiritual battle waging and one way to be actively involved in this battle is through prayer. Through prayer we can bring down the strongholds of the enemy.
I challenge you to develop your prayer life and use all these forms of prayer that are at our disposal.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Prayer is Important
The Bible encourages us to pray. Prayer is very important to the Christian life and our spiritual well being and the well being of others.
The book of Psalms is full of David’s prayers. (Ps. 109:4b)The Bible teaches us that the Lord delights in the prayers of the upright. (Proverbs 15:8)We have many recorded prayers in the Bible from people such as: Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Hezikiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jonah, Manasseh, Jabez, Paul, and Jesus.
Jesus told us to pray.
Luke 18:1 -"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
It is important that we don't give up on praying about something. I blieve somtimes we give up on the brink of our answer. It is hard to continue to pray in faith when we have asked and believed many times for the answer and we see no result. I know because I have been there.
The apostles encouraged prayer.
I Tim. 2:8 -"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
Ephesians 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
God hears and answers prayer.
I Peter 3:12 - "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful. It is through prayer we can understand God's will. It is through prayer that we can change circumstances. It is through prayer that we can do mighty things. God is all powerful, he doesn't need us, but He wants us involved in what He is doing, and one way we can do this is through prayer.
The book of Psalms is full of David’s prayers. (Ps. 109:4b)The Bible teaches us that the Lord delights in the prayers of the upright. (Proverbs 15:8)We have many recorded prayers in the Bible from people such as: Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Hezikiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jonah, Manasseh, Jabez, Paul, and Jesus.
Jesus told us to pray.
Luke 18:1 -"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
It is important that we don't give up on praying about something. I blieve somtimes we give up on the brink of our answer. It is hard to continue to pray in faith when we have asked and believed many times for the answer and we see no result. I know because I have been there.
The apostles encouraged prayer.
I Tim. 2:8 -"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
Ephesians 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
God hears and answers prayer.
I Peter 3:12 - "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful. It is through prayer we can understand God's will. It is through prayer that we can change circumstances. It is through prayer that we can do mighty things. God is all powerful, he doesn't need us, but He wants us involved in what He is doing, and one way we can do this is through prayer.
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