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1992-10-31
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PRAYER
The first century believers "continued steadfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in
prayers". Acts 2:42. Prayer played an important part in the
spiritual life of the early Church. To these Christians prayer
was not a religious duty, but a much desired means of
communication with God, not involving special words or formulae
but a sincere and natural way of speaking to a personal God.
Today God is calling His people to pray so we need to understand
what prayer is and the tremendous power and authority available to
those who believe. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
WHAT IS PRAYER?
Prayer is talking and listening to God. The more time we spend
with God in prayer the closer our relationship with Him will
become. Prayer is not an activity which we do at certain times
but it is the expression of our fellowship with God and so we can
be in an attitude of prayer all the time. It is important to
realise that often when we pray we are speaking against the power
of Satan and are moving into the realm of spiritual warfare. 1
Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2; Ephesians
6:11-18.
CONDITIONS FOR AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE
1 . Faith
"All things, whatsoever ye shall ask for in prayer, believing,
ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22.
In Jesus' teaching on prayer the word "believe" is stressed again
and again. It is as we have faith in God and in His promises that
we receive the answers to our prayer for "without faith it is
impossible to please God". (Hebrews 11:6). Our faith is based on
our understanding of God and of His Word. Read Mark 11:24.
2. Confidence
"Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we
confidence toward God. " 1 John 3:21
Through Christ we have the right of direct access to God. We are
justified by His death and resurrection and we are now seated
together with Him in heavenly places. From this position in God
we can have confidence to pray boldly. Hebrews 10:19-22; Romans
5:1,2; Ephesians 2:5,6; 1 John 5:14,15.
Three things we need to know in order to have confidence before
God.
a. the will of God in the situation we are praying about
b. our position in Christ
c. what the Word of God says about our situation
The tag "If it be Thy will" at the end of a prayer shows a lack of
knowledge of God's will and lack of faith. When we are walking in
the Spirit we can know the mind of God before we pray and
therefore pray with the certainty that we will receive the answer.
God wants us to ask Him for things. Proverbs 15:8; 1 Corinthians
2:16.
3. Righteousness
"The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man
makes tremendous power available - dynamic in its working." James
5:16 (Amp). 1 Peter 3:12.
A righteous man is one who is 'right' with God and 'right' in his
relationships with others. If there is any sin in our hearts then
God will not hear our prayer. Psalm 66:18; 1 John 3:20-22.
Three areas of our lives which may need checking:
a. motives. James 4:2,3 - Psalm 26:2; Proverbs 21:2.
b. forgiveness towards others. Mark 11 :25; Matthew
6:14; 1 Peter 3:7,
c. obedience John 3:22; John 15:7
4. Determination
"And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought
always to pray and not to faint." Luke 18:1. Read Matthew
7:7,8 (Amp); Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8.
Jesus often spoke through parables about persisting in prayer. We
must not forget that we are in spiritual warfare and need to
continue believing in faith for the answer to come. Daniel
10:11-13.
HOW TO PRAY
1 . In the name of Jesus
"Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give
it you." John 16:23.
To pray in the name of Jesus does not mean that we must end all
our prayers with "in the name of Jesus". It means that we are to
pray from that Position that Christ has gained for us through His
death and resurrection. John 14:13,14; Ephesians 2:4-6, 18.
2. In and by the Holy Spirit
"But you, dear friends of mine, build yourselves up on the
foundation of your most holy faith and by praying through the
Holy Spirit keep yourselves within the love of God". Jude 20
(Phillips' version)
Praying in the Spirit means that the Holy Spirit is directing us
in prayer. Our renewed mind enables us to hear God prompting us
to pray. Those who are in close fellowship with God have the mind
of Christ - we need to have more confidence in the thoughts that
enter our mind in regard to prayer. The Holy Spirit inspires us
to pray and helps us to overcome our weaknesses e.g. tiredness,
disturbing thoughts etc. A useful weapon in prayer is the gift of
tongues which the Holy Spirit gives to believers. Romans
8:14,26,27; 1 Corinthians 14:4.
3. With thanksgiving and praise
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God." Philippians 4:6. Read Colossians 4:2.
Thanksgiving expresses our faith in God and our confidence that He
will grant our request. The highest expression of faith is
praise. Praise brings our thoughts into line with God's ways.
Often when prayer does not bring the answer, praise will. A heart
that rejoices continually in God, that worships Him, is one that
finds the answers. Psalm 37:4; 100:4.
4. Fasting "That is why the Lord says, 'Turn to me now, while
there is time. Give me all your hearts. Come with fasting,
weeping, mourning.' " Joel 2:12 (Living Bible).
Fasting is accepted in both the Old Testament and in the New as a
way to greater depth in prayer. By denying the normal desires of
the body for food and/or drink, we can give more time to prayer.
Also when we fast we are committing ourselves in a deeper way to
seeking God about some particular thing. Jesus Himself fasted and
taught His disciples about fasting. Matthew 4:2; 6:1.7,18; Acts
9:9; 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:4,5; 11 :27.
5. Intercession
"The Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and
pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings
too deep for utterance". Romans 8:26 (Amp).
God is looking for people who are willing to take on themselves
His burdens in prayer. As we allow the Holy Spirit to pray
through us, His intercession in us may take the form of weeping,
groaning, and sighing which are sometimes too deep for words.
Jesus is the great intercessor. Read Ezekiel 22:30; Isaiah 59:16;
Luke 19:41; John 11:33,38; Mark 7:34; Hebrews 7:25.
This deep kind of prayer can take three forms-
a. bearing the burdens of the Lord for people, nations or
situations. Luke 19:41 ; Romans 12:15.
b. travailing in prayer to bring to birth something in the
Spirit. Isaiah 66:7,8.
c. fighting in prayer against the powers of darkness.
Ephesians 6:10-12.
"The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and
wonderful results". James 5:16 (LB).
THE END