Do you need prayer? I know that I need prayer. Everyone needs prayer at one time or another whether they realize it or admit it. We all need prayer for various reasons either before, during, or after various situations in our lives.
Prayer is one spiritual discipline which draws us closer to God the Father and keeps us in a closer relationship with Him on a daily basis. It is a time of fellowshipping and communing with God our Father as His children. It is normally one-on-one time with Him as we communicate with Him about our thankfulness, our needs, our cares, our concerns, our confessions, our repentance, our requests, and our petitions. It is also a time of listening to Him through the help of the Holy Spirit. There are other times when we go to Him on behalf of others whether they ask us, or He puts them on our hearts and/or minds. Often, we are called to not only pray for others but pray with others whether it is only one other person or more than one other person in a group setting. No matter what, it is important to be obedient to the Lord and pray for ourselves as well as others.
Our Father God gives us instructions on how to pray and what to do when we pray for ourselves and others. (Matthew 6:5-8) He also gives us more information on prayer through asking, searching, and knocking. (Matthew 7:7-11) In addition, we need to "fertilize" our prayers with scripture. To "fertilize" means to use God's word throughout our prayers. Not only does it build up our faith, but God's word does not return void. His word goes out and accomplishes God's purpose. (Isaiah 55:11) Before we pray, we need to make sure there is not any unforgiveness in us. (Matthew 6:14-15) We also need to have faith in God and believe in our hearts that He will hear and answer our prayers according to His will for us. (Mark 11:22-24; 1 John 5:14-15) Even when we do not know God's will for us, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is praying for us with groans which are too deep for words. (Romans 8:26-27)
A few examples of prayer....
The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
A Prayer of Thanksgiving (Ephesians 1:15-23)
A Prayer for the Church (Ephesians 3:14-21)
A Prayer of Thanksgiving (Colossians 1:3-14)
Prayer is a discipline which builds up people's faith. It is a way to support people. It strengthens people. It encourages people. When people of faith pray, it is powerful. It works very well. A couple of examples where God showed up mightily include the cases of Jesus' disciple, Peter, and the Apostle Paul. (Acts 12:1-19; Acts 16:16-40) Remember, the prayers of the righteous avails much. (James 5:16b) It is powerful, and it works very well for God's people...His children...those who are of the household of faith...those who are in God's family. Elijah is an example of a righteous person where prayer was very powerful and worked very well. (James 5:17-18) The Persistent Widow is another example. (Luke 18:1-8) Her persistence paid off. We can learn a lesson from her. Always pray to our Father God. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Do not stop praying to Him, because He is a good Father.
Continue praying for yourself and others. If you are not in the good habit of praying, there is not a better time to begin praying than now. God is a good God! He is a loving Father who provides for all of our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) He blesses us abundantly more than we can ever ask or think according to His power within us. (Ephesians 3:20) Therefore, go boldly before His throne of grace. (Hebrews 4:16) He is available anytime anywhere. Pray believing that you have whatever you have asked of Him. (Mark 11:24)
Prayer: May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
Copyright 2012 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
