In Luke 18:1 Jesus tells us we ought always to pray, and not to give up. Jesus said to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking in Matt. 7:7. Cotton Mather prayed for 20 years for revival, and the year he died the Great Awakening took place. William Wilberforce fought slavery in the British Empire for 50 years and it didn't happen till he was on deathbed. God has ordained that His plans be executed through prayer with us being partners by grace. Some feel it is vain to pray because God is sovereign and can work without us, but God has ordained that prayer be the means to His ends and to work through prayer blessing us with the privilege to be His partners. Paul says in Philippians 4:6 that we should "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." What this means, it has been said, is that we should worry about nothing, pray about anything, and thank about everything!
Gratitude puts us in the right frame of mind and receptive to God's will--it is the fuel and stimulus to pray. In Colossians 4:2 God says to be watchful (looking for opportunities and needs) and thankful (for answers) in prayer. Psalm 100:4 says to "enter His gates with thanksgiving." God expects us to keep on praying and this implies not only when we feel like it. When we don't feel like it, we should pray the hardest. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16, KJV). Don't worry about being articulate: None of us knows how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (cf. Rom. 8:27).
The problem with most people is that when things are going well they feel they don't need prayer, and when they go bad, they feel the situation is hopeless. We are to pray as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on us. The Bible does teach both the sovereignty of God and the efficacy of prayer--prayer does work (however, it takes faith and usually the answers can be explained away if one is inclined), but it isn't something we do just because it works(e.g., TM, yoga)--many things work that aren't true! We are to pray at all times in the Spirit and that means God can put a roadblock in our way if we have unconfessed sin ("If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened, " says Psalm 66:18, NIV). Proper protocol or etiquette is to the Father, in the name of the Son, in [the power of] the Spirit.
We have to learn to stop getting carried away by emotion, sentiment, or wearing our faith on our sleeves, and walk in faith, which pleases God (cf. Heb. 11:6) or we open the door to mysticism. But note that "heart without words is better than words without heart"--the Holy Spirit is able to intercede on our behalf and put it into words. "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person ..." (James 5:15, NIV). Remember "Elijah was a human being, even as we are [of like nature, in one version]. He earnestly prayed that it would not rain..." (James 5:17, NIV). That means he didn't give up and wouldn't take no for an answer, because he had faith it was God's will, and God does promise to answer all prayer according to His will (cf. 1 John 5:14). Elijah even got depressed after his spiritual high from his victory on Mount Carmel against the false prophets. The key to focus on is that we don't pray to get our will done in heaven, it has been said, but God's will done on earth.
Prayer is not a blank check or carte blanche but has conditions like being in Christ's name, having no unconfessed sin, according to God's will, having the Word in us, abiding in Christ, and being in faith. When we pray we gain access or entree into the throne room of God and step into another dimension (cf. Heb. 4:16). Saying "Thy will be done" is not a cop-out or sign of lack of faith. Saying Amen is a word of affirmation and faith that God's will be done. The finest prayer is of relinquishment like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying, "Nevertheless, not as I will, but thy will be done." Prayer doesn't change God, it changes us! Prayer is a muscle that strengthens with use. The problem is that our prayer life can become anemic and undisciplined, even though prayer is commanded. The reward and aim of prayer is prayer and enjoying God as Asaph says, "But for me it is good to be near God..." (Psalm 73:28, NIV). We need the exhortation of the sons of Korah: "Be still and know I am God" from Psalm 46:10 (ESV). Psalm 16 (ESV) says it tellingly: "... In your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand, are pleasures forevermore."
It is good to be plainspoken with God and not try to articulate in order to impress Him with Elizabethan English or eloquence. Mean it when you say "Amen" because that seals the deal and shows your faith--it's not some magic word or formula we tack on for good measure. Prayer is communion or dialogue with God and is meant to be two-way. Most people don't listen and Job says that God does speak to us: "Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it. In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds..." (Job 33:14-15, NIV). Don't become hard-of-hearing spiritually! God has not retired these alternate means of communication besides the Word.
God does answer prayer: "Call unto me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalm 50:15, KJV). "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24, KJV). Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) says, " Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." Prayer doesn't waste our time; in fact, it is the great time-saver because our time is in God's hands (cf. Psalm 31:15). Martin Luther prayed for 2 hours to begin each day, and if he was busy he prayed more. John Wesley was known to devote full days to prayer. To be effective it is said we are not "overcoming His reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness." We all have an innate potential to be realized and shouldn't let it lie dormant and atrophy by lack of use or neglect. Philosophical apologist Francis Schaeffer said that "He is there and He is not silent." "Christianity is about the God who is there;" all we need to do is to enroll in the school of prayer as our privilege--we get to pray!
Posture is not as vital as an attitude of reverence, humility, and sincerity--inner posture. Lincoln said that often he went to his knees simply because he had no place else to go. It is said, "If you can't stand life, kneel!" Lincoln also said that crises have kept him on his knees. It has been said that Satan laughs at our wisdom, mocks at our labor, but trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. Just pray in the Spirit and leave posture to God. There's no gesture that will impress God (it benefits us, not God), any posture must come from the heart and not just be an outward show of religiosity or legalism.
A word of encouragement: There is no problem too small or too big for God--all things are small to Him and His love cares about all of them and nothing is a match for His omnipotence. God says, "... [Is] there anything too hard for me" in Jeremiah 32:27, KJV). Prayer should never be a last resort, but the first line of defense or request. He never turns a deaf ear to us but is disposed to answer our petitions. "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, KJV). If someone says, "All I can do is pray," tell him that that is a high calling!
In summation, some say that prayer is the litmus or acid test of our relationship with God and that prayer is where the action is! Soli Deo Gloria!
Gratitude puts us in the right frame of mind and receptive to God's will--it is the fuel and stimulus to pray. In Colossians 4:2 God says to be watchful (looking for opportunities and needs) and thankful (for answers) in prayer. Psalm 100:4 says to "enter His gates with thanksgiving." God expects us to keep on praying and this implies not only when we feel like it. When we don't feel like it, we should pray the hardest. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16, KJV). Don't worry about being articulate: None of us knows how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (cf. Rom. 8:27).
The problem with most people is that when things are going well they feel they don't need prayer, and when they go bad, they feel the situation is hopeless. We are to pray as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on us. The Bible does teach both the sovereignty of God and the efficacy of prayer--prayer does work (however, it takes faith and usually the answers can be explained away if one is inclined), but it isn't something we do just because it works(e.g., TM, yoga)--many things work that aren't true! We are to pray at all times in the Spirit and that means God can put a roadblock in our way if we have unconfessed sin ("If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened, " says Psalm 66:18, NIV). Proper protocol or etiquette is to the Father, in the name of the Son, in [the power of] the Spirit.
We have to learn to stop getting carried away by emotion, sentiment, or wearing our faith on our sleeves, and walk in faith, which pleases God (cf. Heb. 11:6) or we open the door to mysticism. But note that "heart without words is better than words without heart"--the Holy Spirit is able to intercede on our behalf and put it into words. "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person ..." (James 5:15, NIV). Remember "Elijah was a human being, even as we are [of like nature, in one version]. He earnestly prayed that it would not rain..." (James 5:17, NIV). That means he didn't give up and wouldn't take no for an answer, because he had faith it was God's will, and God does promise to answer all prayer according to His will (cf. 1 John 5:14). Elijah even got depressed after his spiritual high from his victory on Mount Carmel against the false prophets. The key to focus on is that we don't pray to get our will done in heaven, it has been said, but God's will done on earth.
Prayer is not a blank check or carte blanche but has conditions like being in Christ's name, having no unconfessed sin, according to God's will, having the Word in us, abiding in Christ, and being in faith. When we pray we gain access or entree into the throne room of God and step into another dimension (cf. Heb. 4:16). Saying "Thy will be done" is not a cop-out or sign of lack of faith. Saying Amen is a word of affirmation and faith that God's will be done. The finest prayer is of relinquishment like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying, "Nevertheless, not as I will, but thy will be done." Prayer doesn't change God, it changes us! Prayer is a muscle that strengthens with use. The problem is that our prayer life can become anemic and undisciplined, even though prayer is commanded. The reward and aim of prayer is prayer and enjoying God as Asaph says, "But for me it is good to be near God..." (Psalm 73:28, NIV). We need the exhortation of the sons of Korah: "Be still and know I am God" from Psalm 46:10 (ESV). Psalm 16 (ESV) says it tellingly: "... In your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand, are pleasures forevermore."
It is good to be plainspoken with God and not try to articulate in order to impress Him with Elizabethan English or eloquence. Mean it when you say "Amen" because that seals the deal and shows your faith--it's not some magic word or formula we tack on for good measure. Prayer is communion or dialogue with God and is meant to be two-way. Most people don't listen and Job says that God does speak to us: "Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it. In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds..." (Job 33:14-15, NIV). Don't become hard-of-hearing spiritually! God has not retired these alternate means of communication besides the Word.
God does answer prayer: "Call unto me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalm 50:15, KJV). "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24, KJV). Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) says, " Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." Prayer doesn't waste our time; in fact, it is the great time-saver because our time is in God's hands (cf. Psalm 31:15). Martin Luther prayed for 2 hours to begin each day, and if he was busy he prayed more. John Wesley was known to devote full days to prayer. To be effective it is said we are not "overcoming His reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness." We all have an innate potential to be realized and shouldn't let it lie dormant and atrophy by lack of use or neglect. Philosophical apologist Francis Schaeffer said that "He is there and He is not silent." "Christianity is about the God who is there;" all we need to do is to enroll in the school of prayer as our privilege--we get to pray!
Posture is not as vital as an attitude of reverence, humility, and sincerity--inner posture. Lincoln said that often he went to his knees simply because he had no place else to go. It is said, "If you can't stand life, kneel!" Lincoln also said that crises have kept him on his knees. It has been said that Satan laughs at our wisdom, mocks at our labor, but trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. Just pray in the Spirit and leave posture to God. There's no gesture that will impress God (it benefits us, not God), any posture must come from the heart and not just be an outward show of religiosity or legalism.
A word of encouragement: There is no problem too small or too big for God--all things are small to Him and His love cares about all of them and nothing is a match for His omnipotence. God says, "... [Is] there anything too hard for me" in Jeremiah 32:27, KJV). Prayer should never be a last resort, but the first line of defense or request. He never turns a deaf ear to us but is disposed to answer our petitions. "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, KJV). If someone says, "All I can do is pray," tell him that that is a high calling!
In summation, some say that prayer is the litmus or acid test of our relationship with God and that prayer is where the action is! Soli Deo Gloria!
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