1 King 18: 42b-45
And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.
What is prayer? Prayer is Christian's communication with God. Many scriptures offer other definitions for prayer, such as "lifting up ones soul to the Lord" (Psalm 25:1). Psalm 3:4 describes prayer as crying out to the Lord with our voices. Hebrews 4:16 discusses prayer as the ability to come boldly to His throne of grace. Hebrews 10:22 discusses prayer as when we pray we draw nearer to God.
Now that we have established a working definition of prayer, let's look as some reasons all believers should pray? First, we are commanded to pray as this command was issued by God Himself as recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:11 and Psalm 105:4. Jesus Himself prayed (Matthew 26:41, Luke 18:1; John 16:24), the Psalmist, Prophets, and Apostles, they all prayed. Therefore, prayer is essential to establishing and maintaining a meaningful fellowship with God. He wants a fellowship with His people. In obedience to our Father, our prayers become a daily part of our walk with God. Our prayers become effective as our hearts become more in tune with God and His will.
Second, prayer is essential in receiving His blessings, power as well as receiving the fulfillment of His promises. On the day of Pentecost prayers were being made and the Holy Ghost came in a mighty way. Paul and his companion were bound in prison and held a midnight prayer meeting; the result is God delivered through an earthquake. The Roman jailer and his household were saved. Just look as a prayer answering God! Prayer warriors prayed for Peter's release, God answered.
Third, we as believers are to make intercessory prayer for others. This is because in many instances some things will not be accomplished in God's kingdom without the intercessory prayers of believers. Then too believers are to be sent out into the world to harvest souls for Christ and a spirit-filled prayer life is essential.
If the question were raised, What kinds of prayers are there? There are prayers of adoration, adoring and praising God for who He is and what He has and continues to do in the lives of mankind and especially fellow believers. There is the intercessory prayer where we pray for others. Prayer of supplication is one making our petitions to God, then there is prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God. Prayer of confession is confessing our sins to God and asking for forgiveness.
What make for an effective prayer? An effective prayer is one that sincere, honest and done in true faith. Jesus said in Mark 11:24 that "what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." James 1:6 encourages all who pray to "ask in faith, nothing wavering." These verses authenticate the fact that faith is essential to an answered prayer. An effective prayer is one that is in agreement to the will of God and His Word. Aligning our wills with that of God's and His Word means that we are living in harmony with His will and in obedience to His Word. 1 John 3:22 talks about effective praying when prayer is keeping God's commandments, therefore, "whatsoever we ask, we receive of God (Him)." We pray with authority by asking in Jesus name. Jesus said in John 14:13-14 that "whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."
What if an unbeliever prays? The unbeliever must repent. This is because the prayer cannot continue to live in sin and pray for God's blessing. As stated earlier prayers must align with God's will. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God promises to hear, forgiven their sin and heal their land, but they must repent and turn from their wicked ways. This holds true for all who is less committed to following God and obeying His commands.
Lastly, to be effective in our prayers we must be both persistent and faithful in our prayers. What does Matthew 7:7-8 says? It teaches perseverance in prayer through asking, seeking and knocking. Persevering in prayer are those that are powerful and effective. The Bible is filled with examples of such prayers.
Faith, sincerity, aligning our wills with God's, asking in Jesus name and persistence is key elements to effective prayers.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willi-writing.blogspot.com
www.Facebook.com/williewhite, www.Twitter.com/williewhite
And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.
What is prayer? Prayer is Christian's communication with God. Many scriptures offer other definitions for prayer, such as "lifting up ones soul to the Lord" (Psalm 25:1). Psalm 3:4 describes prayer as crying out to the Lord with our voices. Hebrews 4:16 discusses prayer as the ability to come boldly to His throne of grace. Hebrews 10:22 discusses prayer as when we pray we draw nearer to God.
Now that we have established a working definition of prayer, let's look as some reasons all believers should pray? First, we are commanded to pray as this command was issued by God Himself as recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:11 and Psalm 105:4. Jesus Himself prayed (Matthew 26:41, Luke 18:1; John 16:24), the Psalmist, Prophets, and Apostles, they all prayed. Therefore, prayer is essential to establishing and maintaining a meaningful fellowship with God. He wants a fellowship with His people. In obedience to our Father, our prayers become a daily part of our walk with God. Our prayers become effective as our hearts become more in tune with God and His will.
Second, prayer is essential in receiving His blessings, power as well as receiving the fulfillment of His promises. On the day of Pentecost prayers were being made and the Holy Ghost came in a mighty way. Paul and his companion were bound in prison and held a midnight prayer meeting; the result is God delivered through an earthquake. The Roman jailer and his household were saved. Just look as a prayer answering God! Prayer warriors prayed for Peter's release, God answered.
Third, we as believers are to make intercessory prayer for others. This is because in many instances some things will not be accomplished in God's kingdom without the intercessory prayers of believers. Then too believers are to be sent out into the world to harvest souls for Christ and a spirit-filled prayer life is essential.
If the question were raised, What kinds of prayers are there? There are prayers of adoration, adoring and praising God for who He is and what He has and continues to do in the lives of mankind and especially fellow believers. There is the intercessory prayer where we pray for others. Prayer of supplication is one making our petitions to God, then there is prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God. Prayer of confession is confessing our sins to God and asking for forgiveness.
What make for an effective prayer? An effective prayer is one that sincere, honest and done in true faith. Jesus said in Mark 11:24 that "what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." James 1:6 encourages all who pray to "ask in faith, nothing wavering." These verses authenticate the fact that faith is essential to an answered prayer. An effective prayer is one that is in agreement to the will of God and His Word. Aligning our wills with that of God's and His Word means that we are living in harmony with His will and in obedience to His Word. 1 John 3:22 talks about effective praying when prayer is keeping God's commandments, therefore, "whatsoever we ask, we receive of God (Him)." We pray with authority by asking in Jesus name. Jesus said in John 14:13-14 that "whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."
What if an unbeliever prays? The unbeliever must repent. This is because the prayer cannot continue to live in sin and pray for God's blessing. As stated earlier prayers must align with God's will. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God promises to hear, forgiven their sin and heal their land, but they must repent and turn from their wicked ways. This holds true for all who is less committed to following God and obeying His commands.
Lastly, to be effective in our prayers we must be both persistent and faithful in our prayers. What does Matthew 7:7-8 says? It teaches perseverance in prayer through asking, seeking and knocking. Persevering in prayer are those that are powerful and effective. The Bible is filled with examples of such prayers.
Faith, sincerity, aligning our wills with God's, asking in Jesus name and persistence is key elements to effective prayers.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willi-writing.blogspot.com
www.Facebook.com/williewhite, www.Twitter.com/williewhite
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