Good morning,
This week we will begin a three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.
Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice.
This week we will look at an overview of prayer.
Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:1-7)
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Supplication (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
After we have prepared ourselves, we then can thank God for all He has done for us. The greatest of these is our salvation. Remember that is was God that brought us to Himself. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16) Christ went to the cross, shedding His precious, perfect blood, to take away the sin for all mankind.
Then we are able to ask God to intervene for ourselves and others. The caveat is that our prayers need to be within the will of God. So, if we are praying for something that is clearly in violation of Scripture, God will not answer that prayer. Conversely, if we pray within Scriptural principles, then God will determine how to answer that prayer. Our requests need to honor and glorify God.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
Leave a Reply