In today's thoughts, we will answer Five Very Important Questions about Prayer.
1. What Is Prayer? Simply put, prayer is communicating with God. Real prayer is expressing our devotion to our heavenly Father, inviting Him to talk to us as we talk to Him.
2. Who Can Pray? Anyone can pray, but only those who walk in faith and obedience to Christ can expect to receive answers to their prayers. Contact with God begins when we receive Jesus into our lives as Savior and Lord. John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." No one can come to the Father except through me (NLT).
Praying with a clean heart is also vital to successful prayer. We cannot expect God to answer our prayers if there is any unconfessed sin in our life or if we are harboring an unforgiving spirit. Psalms 66:18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. Mark 11:25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. For God to answer our prayers, we must have a believing heart and ask according to His will. Matthew 9:29 Then he touched their eyes and said, Because of your faith, it will happen. Matthew 9:21 – 22 for she thought, If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed. Jesus turned around and said to her, Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed at that moment. 1 John 5:14 –15 And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for (NLT).
3. Why Are We to Pray? God's Word commands us to pray.
Luke 18:1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up. Acts 6:4 Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word. Mark 14:38 Keep alert and pray. Otherwise, temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak. Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity (NLT).
We pray to have fellowship with God, receive spiritual nurture and strength to live a victorious life, and maintain boldness for a vital witness for Christ. Prayer releases God's great power to change the course of nature, people, and nations.
We pray because we are thankful for all God has done for us…
…and for salvation and eternal life with our Father, being able to have a relationship with our Lord…
…for God's protection and His guidance throughout the day and in our lives.
Gratefulness and thankfulness go a long way in receiving God's blessings and provisions for life.
4. To Whom Do We Pray? We pray to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry or power of the Holy Spirit. When we pray to the Father, our prayers are accepted by Jesus Christ and interpreted to God the Father by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallow be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (KJV).
Romans 8:26 – 27 "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will." Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us (NLT).
5. When Should We Pray? God's Word commands us to "Pray continually" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing (KJV). In other words, keep on praying. We can be in prayer throughout the day, expressing and demonstrating our devotion to God as we go about our daily tasks. It is not always necessary to be on our knees or even in a quiet room to pray. God wants us to be in touch with Him constantly wherever we are. We can pray in the car while washing the dishes or while walking down the street. Let me encourage you. If you have not made it a practice to pray during your day to begin right now today, began to express your love to God and always be thankful!
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