Prayer: March 9, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2011

PRAYER

DEFINITION:

Spiritual communication with God; A devout petition to God or an object of worship; the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship; a petition.

SCRIPTURE:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22

“I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask for in My name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16: 23-24.


KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Do you find it difficult to pray? It is often said by people that they spend time praying to God but never really hear God respond. There are many reasons that could cause one to feel that way. But the important thing first about prayer is that God wants us to pray daily and, in fact, He says in his Word to pray without ceasing. That means to always be in a spirit or attitude of prayer.

Prayer is one of the pillars of the Christian faith. When we pray we communicate with our Heavenly father and it is a privilege to take all of our burdens, requests and praise to almighty God.

When you pray as God commands us to pray He will respond. Let’s look at these six vital lessons for us to learn about prayer:

First, we must pray as the Lord prayed. He gave us an example with what we familiarly call the Lord’s Prayer. (Luke 11:1-4) Take time to memorize the Lord’s Prayer and pray it daily until it becomes a vital part of your daily life.

Secondly, we are to pray in the Spirit. Jude tells us in Jude 20 that we are to “pray in the Holy Spirit.” He will guide and assists in our prayers. We need the intercession that the Holy Spirit can give us to speak to the father. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray unselfishly, purely and correctly. Sometimes we are at a loss to know how to pray. Paul tells us in those times of great need that “the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26.

Thirdly, we are to pray according to God’s will. In Romans 12:2 we are told that God’s will for the Christian believer is good, acceptable and perfect. We learn what God’s will is by reading the scriptures, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit from within us and by the circumstances which God allows to occur in our lives.

Fourthly, we are to pray without ceasing. In I Thessalonians 5:17 and 18, we are told to pray without ceasing, continually and with thanksgiving. God desires your fellowship. He desires for you to have His forgiveness, peace, guidance and His rest in your soul. Praying without ceasing means having an attitude of prayer in all you do, as we mentioned above. Thank God for His guidance in every step you take and every word you say and thing you do, because when you are in an attitude of prayer God is guiding you.

Fifthly, we are to pray believing. In Matthew 21:21 and 22 we are told to believe in God’s almighty ability and desire to answer our prayers from the evidence He has given us in the scriptures. We can ask in prayer and we need to ask “believing.” If you still do not feel God is answering your prayers then you need to ask yourself, “Do I really believe that God can answer my prayers?”

Sixthly, we are to pray in Jesus’ name. Christ teaches us in John 16:23 and 24 to pray to the Father in His name. We are sinners, but when we accept Jesus we are cleansed of our sins and are robed in His righteousness and we come before Him in prayer as children of the King and can expect mountains to be moved. He assures us that if we pray in His name, He will answer. Christ teaches that we must ask in His name and then He will answer and our joy will be full.

These six lessons if studied and practiced will give us a prayer life that honors God and will bring blessing to our lives as we allow God to work in our lives and answer our prayers. Years ago our very good friend Rev Peter Dyneka, who was a real prayer warrior and a Russian evangelist told us many times in public meetings and personally: NO PRAYER NO POWER! That says it all for us today.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 Chronicles 28:20:

And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it, for the Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.”

PRAYER:

Teach me today O Lord how to pray. As the disciples asked nearly 2000 years ago, I ask of You today for a new and exciting prayer life. Give me a burden to pray without ceasing for my family and friends. May I have a new burden to pray for those in need. Thank You for the blessing You will give me in answer to my prayers.