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somebody I never talk to. Additionally, a few minutes here and there are not normally enough to build or maintain a close relationship. Even long-distance relationships need for the people involved to connect when they can. Friendships and even marriages fall apart when people don’t make time for each other. Talking with people we care about expresses and fosters love in the relationship. They say prayer is talking to God. Have you talked to God today? to celebrate good news? Did you ever confide in a friend when you were troubled? Have you ever sought help from a mechanic, counselor, doctor, teacher, lawyer, pastor or anyone else? And did you speak with God about it first? “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...” (Ephesians 6:18) JesusPrayer is a familiar concept to most people. Morning, evening and mealtime prayers are common among Christians. Yet many discontinue this practice when company is visiting or when they eat out at a restaurant. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed…” (Luke 9:26) Furthermore, when a need arises or a blessing is perceived, many Christians either don’t go to God first or at all. Maybe they don’t realize that God can meet our needs. Maybe they don’t understand that it is He who gives blessings. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” (James 1:17) This is more than a concept; it is a practical part of our walk with Christ. JesusGod loves us and desires a close relationship with each of us. Christ died and rose again to make this possible. However, accepting salvation is only the beginning of the relationship. Prayer is a fundamental part of its continuation. We should not neglect regular prayers. Nor do we need to wait until a designated time to pray. God is the Father, Friend and Counselor that we can call anytime about anything. Pray now, and pray later too. Indeed, “pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17). JesusPrayer is not an empty ritual; it is our means to personally connect with our Creator and Savior. The Bible assures us that He, “hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29). So we seek His ear reverently and gratefully. “For this reason I kneel before the father…” (Ephesians 3:14, emphasis mine) Through prayer we can thank God (for who He is and what He does) and cry out to God (in pain or need). We can pray for ourselves, family, strangers, friends, enemies, and leaders. God wants to hear from us although He already knows what is happening in our lives. Furthermore, Christ showed us how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13), and the Spirit helps us pray (Romans 8:26). As Christians, it is our privilege and responsibility. JesusFrequent communion with God helps us stay focused on Him. Otherwise the cares of this world distract our hearts and cloud our view. Like studying God’s word, prayer centers us in His precepts, promises and power. It opens us to His perspective and makes us receptive to the Holy Spirit. It renews our peace as it reminds us of our joy and security in Him. “When I kept silent, my bones grew old…” (Psalm 32:3) A healthy prayer life is part of a constant conversation through which we can experience the fullness of God in our lives. "For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You…” (Psalm 32:6) JesusNot only does God hear our prayers, He also answers them. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16) So we ask in faith, for the one who doubts “is a double- minded man, unstable in all his ways”. (James 1:8) Prayer positions us to witness God work. Each challenge we surrender to Him is an opportunity to watch Him change the situation or change us in the situation. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) JesusPrayer is a vital discipline and sometimes is the only solution. Hannah, a barren woman, prayed for a son and received Samuel whom God used as a mighty prophet. (1Samuel 1) Jonah was swallowed by a giant fish which prevented his drowning. He prayed thanksgiving to God and was then safely spit out on dry land. (Jonah 1-2) Cornelius was, “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.” (Acts 10:2) God honored Cornelius by choosing him, his family and his friends as the first Gentile believers to receive salvation and the Holy Spirit. This was especially remarkable because it showed the Apostles and the early church that salvation was for all people and not Jews only. God is sovereign and does not depend on our prayers. Yet His healing, deliverance and blessing often come as a reply to specific prayers or our general prayerful dependence on Him. JesusJesus promised God’s faithful response to faith-filled prayer. “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22) Be careful to understand this statement in context. It is based on the premise of a pure-hearted petitioner. It does not necessarily mean we can ask for a mansion and a million dollars and receive them. We are not magicians who conjure with magic JesusJesusJesusJesusJesuswords. We ask of a loving God who is able to meet our JesusJesusJesusJesusJesusneeds. He grants the request, or not, based on His perfect will. He may JesusJesusJesusJesusJesusanswer yes, no or wait according to His wisdom. Remember that God JesusJesusJesusJesusJesusknows what you need. “For your Father knows the things you have JesusJesusJesusJesusJesusneed of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8) Additionally, He wants to JesusJesusJesusJesusJesusgive you His best. (Matthew 7:7-11) So if you don’t get what you asked JesusJesusJesusJesusJesusfor, you will get something better. He may not give you two million dollars instead of one million. But He may provide you with a job, patience or the understanding that money is not your real need. "Ask the Lord for what you need, be it forgiveness or funds. “This is the confidence that we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1John 5:14-15, Emphasis mine) JesusWalk in prayer for others. Pray when you pass by car accidents or are passed by ambulances. Pray when you hear grievous news about something that happened to another. Pray when you see somebody who is struggling or lost. You won’t know if they are saved or not, but pray that God will bring them to salvation or bring them closer in their relationship. Pray that He will use the situation for His glory and their best. Some of these people may not have anyone else to intercede for them to Christ in prayer. Though you will not see the results, your prayers may change their lives. JesusThe Bible presents specific reasons why some prayers are not granted. James explained the matter of motives. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) God is not Santa Claus; He is the Creator and ruler of all. He is gracious and merciful but does honor impure motives. Additionally, Peter warned husbands about their marital conduct. “Husbands, be considerate as you live with your wives, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1Peter 3:7) Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church-in patience, kindness and sacrifice. As a disciplinary action, to bring us to repentance and maturity in this area, God may cut off our prayers for the duration of our disobedience. It is folly to approach God without reverence. (2Samuel 6:6-7) We better first examine our reasons and relationships (Matthew 5:23-24). Prayer is not all about asking for things, but God wants us to ask of Him. Yet He will provide what is best in a situation, which may be different than what we asked for. "Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'" (2Corinthians 12:8-9) As Jesus prayed before surrendering Himself to be crucified for us, “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) JesusJesus noted a few other prayer pointers. He warned us against using it so that we “may be seen by men” (Matthew 6:5). There are times when public prayer is appropriate. However, the sanctity of prayer makes no allowance for showmanship. Believers who might stumble in this ought to practice private devotions so that “your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6) Christ also told us not to use “vain repetitions” when praying (Matthew 6:8). Of course it is okay to pray continually for the same thing (Luke 11:5-8). But relying on some formula of many or special words is vanity-not faith. Trust in God’s grace; He heard you the first time and already knew your burden. JesusJesus gave us a model to help us learn how to pray.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13) JesusThis prayer model contains several elements; we will address a few of them. First it recognizes God reverently. So often our prayers start with, “Dear God, I…” Jesus shows us the importance of focusing on our Father rather than coming to Him focused on ourselves. Second, it petitions for His provision. We have needs and He can meet them. Third, it asks for forgiveness in the measure that we forgive others. Meanwhile, we ought to forgive others as we ourselves are forgiven through Christ. Fourth is a plea for His guidance and deliverance. We need God’s grace to keep us from committing and continuing in sin. Finally, it exalts Him deservingly so that we end as we began-looking unto Him. JesusGod’s word explains prayer, and God’s Word (Jesus) demonstrated it. To Christ, prayer was a priority. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” (Mark 1:35) He did not hurry through communion with His Father. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” (Luke 6:12) Jesus was busy on Earth; His selfless compassion compelled Him to constant service. Yet He made time to pray. “After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray...” (Matthew 14:23) Even as the Son of God, He prayed in humble reverence. How much more should we practice the same? “Going a little further, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed,..” (Matthew 26:29) Christ’s closeness to God was proved by a sinless life, a miraculous ministry and the ultimate sacrifice. If we seek this same closeness to God, our lives too will testify of God’s glory. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) Additional scripture for review: Proverbs 15:18 Jonah 2:1 Matthew 5:23-24,44/7:7-11/9:37-38 Luke 11:5-8/22:40 Romans 8:26/15:30 Ephesians 1:18/3:14 Philippians 4:6 Colossians 4:3 James 5:13-15 |
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