UNDERSTANDING PRAYER

 

     Understanding prayer is knowing that it a time of communion with God.  Jesus is the perfect example of this.  He frequently and daily prayed.  He did before major decisions and in times of testing.  He gave thanks to God and on behalf of others.  He also prayed to make sure he was doing the will of God.

     Martin Luther said that prayer was the food of his soul.  Billy Graham said that prayer was the sign of a person who is mighty in God.  He also said a prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.  So, prayer must be made in faith where you really believe in what God says.  It must be in Jesus’ name.  Jesus said ask anything in my name and it will be given to you.  It must according to the will of God and this you find in the pages of the bible.  You must live a life of obedience.  You must have a forgiving and loving heart.

     Jesus said that we must worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth.  Aspects of prayer are thanksgiving where you thank the Lord for, He has done.  Confession where you are honest with God and expose and examine yourself and get rid of anything that stands between you and him.  Intercession is where you pray for others.  Petition means you bring your own needs before the Lord.  Then there is communion where strength, comfort and help from the Lord come from. 

     When you have unanswered prayers.  It could because you violated one of the principles of prayer.  Most likely God has something better in mind.  Often God is working behind the scenes, and he is teaching you to wait.  Sometimes you are asking selfishly and what you are asking for could be damaging so it doesn’t get answered.  Often it just being persistent and not giving up.  It takes faith and discipline in prayer but keep praying because the answer is on the way.