Guiding Light!
Prayer!
Simply put, prayer is communicating with God. As a child of God you are invited to come boldly before His throne. "Since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God," the apostle Paul writes, "...let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16.
Because of who God is, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Creator of heaven and earth, we must come into His presence with reverence. But He is also our loving heavenly Father who cares for us and delights in having fellowship with us. Therefore, we can come to Him with a reverent, joyful heart, knowing He loves us more than anyone else has ever loved us or will ever love us.
Someone has said, "Prayer is the creator as well as the channel of devotion. The spirit of devotion is the spirit of prayer. Prayer and devotion are united as soul and body are united, as life and heart are united. There is no real prayer without devotion, no devotion without prayer." Real prayer is expressing our devotion to our heavenly Father, inviting Him to talk to us as we talk to Him.
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. Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" John 14:6. Contact with God begins when we receive Jesus into our lives as Savior and Lord.Praying with a clean heart also is vital to successful prayer. The psalmist says, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened" Psalm 66:18. We cannot expect God to answer our prayers if there is any unconfessed sin in our life.
One of the most frequent hindrances to prayer is an unforgiving spirit. Jesus says, "When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" Mark 11:25. No prayer except the prayer of confession can be answered by God unless it comes from a heart that is free of unforgiveness and bitterness. You and I must come to God with a forgiving heart if we are to receive the Christian's legacy of power in prayer.
In addition, we must have a believing heart if we expect God to answer our prayers. Jesus says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" Matthew 21:22, and "According to your faith will it be done to you" Matthew 9:29. Yet few of us take these words seriously, and few dare to claim what God has so generously promised us.
Why Are We to Pray?
God commands us to pray. The New Testament instructions to pray are many. Here are a few; Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 1 Corinthians 14:15. Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1.We also pray to have fellowship with God. Prayer is not just an "escape hatch" for us to get out of trouble, please ourselves, or gain our selfish ends. It is our "hotline" of communication and fellowship with God. In the process, we receive spiritual nurture and strength to live a victorious life, and we maintain the boldness necessary for a vital witness for Christ.
Genuine, biblically based prayer does change things. It so transforms those who pray that God is free to reveal His will to them. Prayer also releases God's great power to change the course of nature, people, and nations. The faithful prayers of Spirit filled believers have proven this throughout the Bible and history. This I have experienced personally as you read in "The Ride."
To Whom Do We Pray?
We pray to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry 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.As we pray, both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding on our behalf. Paul records in Romans 8:34, "Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:26-27, "The Spirit helps us in our weakness...And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
When Should We Pray?
God's Word instructs us to "Pray continually". 1 Thessalonians 5:17.Charles Spurgeon said, "Prayer pulls the rope down below, and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give only an occasional jerk at the rope. But he who communicates with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously with all his might."
We can be in prayer frequently throughout the day, demonstrating our devotion to God as we go about our daily tasks. I have found it meaningful to begin every morning in prayer. As I get out of bed, I fall on my knees to worship Him as a way of saying, "Lord, I bow before You and acknowledge You as my Master."
Throughout the day, I focus my thoughts on the Lord, often talking to Him, praising Him, and thanking Him for His goodness, love, and grace in my behalf. I pray for wisdom and understanding about the decisions I make each day. I pray for the salvation of friends and strangers, the healing of the sick, and the spiritual and material needs of our church. I even pray that my words and actions, will bring glory to God. I ask Him to think with my mind, to love with my heart, and to speak with my lips. Since He came to seek and to save the lost, I ask Him to seek and to save the lost through me.
In the evening I ask, "Lord, is there anything in me that is displeasing to You, anything I need to confess?" If the Holy Spirit reveals any sins or weaknesses, I confess them and claim by faith God's victory for my life. I then like to spend time reading and meditating on God's Word so that my subconscious thoughts are on the Lord Jesus all during the night.
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. The more frequently we share our thoughts and desires with our Lord, the more meaningful our fellowship and the closer we come to Him.
What Should We Include in Our Prayers?
Although prayer cannot be reduced to a formula, certain basic elements should be included in our communication with God -Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (ACTS).A--Adoration
To adore God is to worship and praise Him, to honor and exalt Him in our heart and mind and with our lips. The Word of God teaches that our Father desires the fellowship of His children, of which adoration is a vital part. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23,24 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28. Adoration expresses our complete trust in Him and reflects our confidence that He hears us. Adoration demonstrates our reverence, awe, love, and gratitude.
C--Confession
When our discipline of prayer begins with adoration, the Holy Spirit has opportunity to reveal any sin in our life that needs to be confessed. By seeing God in His purity, His holiness, and His love, we become aware of our sinfulness and unworthiness. Confessing our sin and receiving His forgiveness restores us to fellowship with Him and clears the channel for God to hear and answer our prayers. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9.
T--Thanksgiving
Nothing pleases God more than our consistent expression of faith. What better way to do this than to tell Him, "Thank You"? God's Word commands, "Give thanks in all circumstances" because "this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:18. An attitude of thanksgiving enables us to recognize that God controls all things, not just the blessings, but the problems and adversities as well. As we approach God with a thankful heart, He becomes strong on our behalf; conversely, a critical, unbelieving spirit displeases God and hinders His efforts to bless and enrich us and to use us for His glory.
S--Supplication
Supplication includes petition for our own needs and intercession for others. We are to pray for everything and in specific terms. As you talk to God, for example, pray that your inner person may be renewed, always sensitive to and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Pray about your problems, pray for wisdom and guidance, pray for strength to resist temptation, pray for comfort in time of sorrow, pray for everything. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6.
Then pray for others, your spouse, your children, your parents, neighbors, and friends. Pray for your pastor and missionaries, and for various other Christians to whom God has given special responsibility. Pray for those in authority over you. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
Pray especially for the salvation of souls, for a daily opportunity to introduce others to Christ and to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4. Begin with your church or your community. Pray for and seek to find one or more Christian friends with whom you can establish prayer partnerships. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19.
These elements - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication - have helped many Christians to develop a more well-rounded prayer life. Our power does not lie in money, genius, or dedicated work. E. M. Bounds wrote: The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. What the Church needs today is not more or better machinery, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men-men of prayer.
If an individual with only human resources is able to accomplish outstanding success, how much more can you and I do when we place our faith in the omnipotent God and draw upon His supernatural, inexhaustible resources and power?
Heavenly Father it is our desire to become a person of prayer that is satisfying to you and your calling in us. We will seek you in all that we do and all we think so that we may be led by you to accomplish your will on earth as it is in Heaven. We love you Father more than anything else in our life and we desire fellowship with you above all things at all times. We humbly come before you now in adoration seeking your forgiveness, your guidance and your strength to be the child you have called us to be. We pray this in Jesus Christ name......amen
In Christ's Service,
Kenny Millhouse
kenny@guidinglightministry.com
http://guidinglightministry.com
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