Good morning,
This week we will continue our 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 how to pray, conditions of prayer, and hinderances to prayer.
HOW TO PRAY
INTERCESSORY (Romans 8:26-27)
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
IN FAITH, BELIEVING (Hebrews 11:6, Mark 11:24)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
PERSISTENCE (Luke 18:1-8)
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
HUMILITY (2 Chronicles 7:14)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Sometimes we do not know how or what to pray. That is when the Spirit intercedes for us. We are never without an ally concerning prayer.
However, it is our responsibility to pray in faith and belief. Do we really trust God? Are we faithfully obeying God in all things? Do we believe God can really answer our prayers? Are we willing to accept God’s answer to our prayers? Answer these questions and we will be able to determine whether we are praying in faith and belief.
How persistent are we? Are we willing to pray over long periods of time for God’s answer? Many have prayed for years for loved ones to be saved. Joyous is the prayer warrior who sees a loved one trust Christ.
When we pray, who are we praying to? God. That should humble us to the point that we presume nothing. We go to God humbly and make our requests. We realize that we have no standing before God except through the shed blood of His son Jesus paying our sin debt.
Tomorrow we will look at the conditions of prayer.
Tom Sterns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
Leave a Reply