Prayer

Prayer

Prayer is a necessity to life and godliness and it is the most important activity a born-again Christian can perform. Prayer can be expressed in a variety of ways, but there are three basic forms: WORSHIP, PETITION & INTERCESSION.

WORSHIP is the spontaneous result that comes from a conscious awareness of God. When we worship God for His creative genius, unsearchable wisdom, almighty power, unconditional love and His amazing grace, we stand in awe of Him. Thanksgiving and praise arise spontaneously as we become conscious of the goodness of God to us because we know that we do not deserve it.
(Psalm 145:1-21)

PETITION is where we bring our personal needs before God and ask Him for the help that we need so desperately. Because we have certain definite needs that must be met before we can be of benefit to others, we cry out for His wisdom, guidance, strength and provision. (Luke 11:3-4)

INTERCESSION is the type of prayer that can be considered work (Colossians 4:12). Through intercessory prayer we reach out beyond ourselves and pray for the needs of those around us. We pray for family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and for those who don’t yet know Christ. We pray for the needs of those in the Body of Christ.

THE BATTLE - When we pray, we have to realize that there is a spiritual battle taking place around us continually (Ephesians 6:12). When we enter into intercessory prayer, we step right into the battle and begin to fight in this spiritual war. Prayer is the most potent weapon that we possess in our spiritual arsenal and by it we can pull down the strongholds of the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).

THE ANSWER - If the answers to our prayers don’t come immediately, we should not lose hope and give up, but we should persevere in fervent prayer! (James 5:16) Many times we give up just a little too soon. Whenever Satan begins to lose his grip he makes a last, desperate lunge. Sometimes, however, the LORD may not give us what we ask when He has a higher purpose in mind for our lives (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). Other times our prayers don’t get answered because we have sin and iniquity in our lives that break our connection with God (Psalm 66:18). Unanswered prayer can also be due to unforgiveness in our hearts (Matthew 6:15) or be a result of selfish motivation (James 4:2-3).

THE WILL OF GOD - When we pray, we should, first of all, make the will of God our prayer. We can discover the will of God through the Word of God. We should use Scripture in our prayers and seek communion with God as we pray. Prayer should not be a monologue, but a dialogue with God. We should talk and then listen while God speaks to us in His Word. Prayer is to be addressed to the Father in the authority of the name of Jesus (John 14:6). The real purpose of prayer is to see the work of God accomplished in our lives, and then, through our lives, in the lives of others. We can do more for God through prayer than through any other means, including service. Prayer is limitless in its scope and we can touch a world for God through prayer, without leaving our closet.

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
– Ephesians 6:18

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