Scriptural
Reference:
Disclaimer; If
it contradicts God's divine plan then don't push it.
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that
you have received it, and it will be yours."
Mark 11:24
Keeping others
in Prayer:
"Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for
all the saints"
Ephesians 6:18
Keeping it understood:
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know
what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for
us with groaning too deep for words."
Romans 8:26
Keeping it in Trust:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God."
Philippians 4:6
Keeping it Honest:
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,
that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power
as it is working."
James 5:16
Keeping it real:
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles
do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words."
Matthew 6:7
Keeping it on
Schedule:
"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare
a sacrifice for you and watch."
Psalm 5:3
Reflection:
For Christian's the power of prayer is their strongest weapon. Sturdiest
defence. And sadly the most misunderstood and seldom used part of their
healthy spiritual life. The very act of a Christian can make the devil
and his minions shake with fear. It emboldens and empowers each Christian
to stand firmly in their faith as they face the world.
To begin with we
should consider the various types or forms of prayer we are blessed
to be able to follow through with:
Blessing and
Adoration: Acknowledging God as Creator and praising His holiness,
power, and perfection.
Petition
(Supplication): Asking God for personal needs, forgiveness, guidance,
and spiritual growth.
Intercession:
Praying on behalf of other people, the Church, or the world.
Thanksgiving:
Expressing gratitude for God’s gifts, grace, and actions.
Praise:
Glorifying God simply for who He is, transcending what He does.
Now lets go through
the verses I've mentioned to discover just how powerful prayer can be
when used correctly and in spiritual context.
Be Realistic
[Mark 11:24]: Be careful what you pray for. Especially if it's not what
God had planned.
I
remember a time when I was young. I was pining to travel back to the
USA. Where I would live with my older brother. Someone I admired and
looked up to. So I got a job and saved up money. As every night I rayed
to be able to follow my dream. Some may claim that it wasn't difficult
as I was saving money and working towards fulfilling it. But at the
time I was idealistic and not realistic. My mother was controlling and
cruel. Never missing a chance to mock anything I was working for. Each
night I wrote my dream on a piece of paper and burnt it as a sacrificial
prayer to God.
Story
shortened to provide brevity. My prayer was answered and I travelled
to the US. Only to be unprepared for the folly and depravity that followed.
God knew what would happen, But as I kept asking for it, much like the
widow is a parable Jesus told, he let me go and discover for myself.
What followed were many years of constant mistakes and misery. I think
my saviour He guided me back to true faith and trust in Him alone.
So
don't pray for 'anything' and demand you get it. If it isn't in line
with God's divine plan than forget it. That and don't jump off a building
and expect to fly. God gave that gift to the angels.
Now
onto to the other Bible verses regarding the prayer of Christians.
Keeping
Others in Prayer [Ephesians 6:18]: One of the more important forms
of prayer is prayer for others. The Bible mentions this consistently
throughout. Praying for ourselves is good while praying for the brethren
is compassion in action. Even praying for those who are not as yet saved
is vital to help open their ears to the gospel truth of salvation through
Jesus the Christ.
Keeping
it understood [Romans 8:26]: Our prayers can become so self centred
that there are times we will miss entirely the words we should pray.
This is where the Holy Spirit can intercede and offer up pray for us.
Creating and raising to God the words that we are unable to express
or say.
Keeping
it Honest [James 5:16]: WE are called to confess our sins to each
other. As we pray for each other. This is not an easy thing to do. To
admit a sin to someone and trust they will respect your and pray for
you as you pray for them. The level of trust is difficult for some.
Yet we are called to do this. To keep our hearts honest and our intentions
pure.
Keeping
it real [Matthew 6:7]: I once met a mad, a highly esteemed and highly
levelled minister, who while talking to people at a gathering kept reminding
them just hoe esteemed he we was. Consistently say such lines; "as
the most worshipful minister of my flock" ",the flock looking
up to me as their distinguished and esteemed spiritual leader"
"as the most holy and righteously esteemed minister of my flock".
It became annoying to say the least. We are called to avoid self praise
and empty wordy prayers. But to take our real concerns to God through
Jesus the Christ. AS we are approaching God, the creator of the universe,
in prayer in which we need to keep ourselves humble and our prayers
respectful.
Keeping
it on Schedule [Psalm 5:3]: Do you like schedules? Being regulated
to follow a set routine? Maybe work was something you found exasperating
as you had to obey a nine to five schedule that seemed to drag on. Yet
we are called to live in prayer. To set aside a special time each day
to pray. For all sorts of conditions. All sorts of concerns and all
sorts of people and places.
Conclusion:
So in conclusion we need to understand and respect the power prayer
has. To reach God our Father and Creator. To take shape and fulfil the
pill of our saviour. As well as bring peace and power through the Holy
Spirit into our lives and the world we live in.
Prayer:
Heaven;y Father,
I take this time to pray;
For my family,
I pray they continue in the faith they once confessed.
For my friends,
I pray they will come to you as their saviour.
For my church,
I pray they will continue to trust in you alone.
For those in power,
I pray they will be guided by the Holy Spirit.
For those I meet
each day,
I pray that my words will comfort and guide them.
In all I pray I
do so,
In you Holy Name Jesus the Christ.