SOME THOUGHTS ON PRAYER
In the light of all that has been happening in my life recently, I began to think about the power of prayer. As “Laying the right foundations” is a strong burden on my heart I have regularly taught about the place of prayer in the believer’s life.
IT IS MUCH EASIER TO TEACH ABOUT PRAYER THAN DOING IT.
After all these years as a Christian I still feel I am a novice when it comes to prayer. I can thankfully testify that in recent years it has gone up a level. Praise the Lord.
Let me share some simple truths that I have learnt over the years. These are not in any order, I write them as they come to mind.
WORK HARD AT NOT LETTING PRAYER BECOME A DUTY YOU MUST DO.
DELIBERATELY SEEK TO SET ASIDE A REGULAR TIME TO PRAY
SEE PRAYER AS THE INTIMATE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TWO LOVERS.
SO AS WE HAVE TO WORK HARD AT OUR NATURAL RELATIONSHIPS TO KEEP THEM FRESH AND SPONTANEOUS, THIS WE MUST DO WITH PRAYER.
MAKE SURE YOUR HEART IS PREPARTED FOR PRAYER, NEVER FORGET IF THERE IS UNCONFESSED SIN GOD IS NOT LISTENING. PSALM 66;18.
PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR WORSHIP BY SURRENDER, THANKSGIVING, PRAISE.
REMEMBER TO SPEND TIME PRAYING FOR OTHERS.
ASK FOR THE NATIONS PSALM 2:8
AFTER YOU HAVE PRAYED FOR OTHERS, THEN PRAY FOR YOURSELF.
REMEMBER, JESUS, FIRST, YOURSELF LAST, AND OTHERS IN BETWEEN.
REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM.
AFTER PRAYER TURN TO THE WORD OF GOD TO READ AND MEDITATE.
EXPECT GOD TO SPEAK TO YOU.
As I was reading the Word this morning, I was drawn to meditate on Psalm 28:6 Blessed be the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplications.
If our heart is right before the Lord HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING.
We may not get the answer we want, but we will get an answer.
God will either say, YES or NO or NOT YET, or maybe give us what He wants, not what we want.
There will be times when we pray WE FEEL NOTHING, God has not gone anywhere, but may withdraw His manifest presence for a reason, or as I have experienced this week as a result of my decision to conclude overseas ministry, our emotions can be so raw, we wonder what is going on. I haven’t stopped praying, and I asked you to pray for me. God has answered our prayers. I can now say with King David this morning Psalm 30:11-12
You have turned my mourning into dancing, You have put off my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to you and not be silent. O Lord my God I will give thanks forever. Hallelujah.
No longer do I feel there has been a death in the family, but am ready to embrace what God has for me in this next season.
I had another experience this morning that I have had many times before over the years, I woke with a prayer burden for a Pastor friend in Asia, I have tried to contact him but have not been successful yet.Romans 8:26 tells us the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us, with groanings (unspeakable yearnings and groanings to deep for utterance (AMP).We must let the Holy Spirit pray through us especially when we do not know the reasons for the prayer burden.
I trust these random thoughts on prayer will help you, if there is anything I need to clarify please ask me, or if there is an area you would like some more understanding in, again please ask me.
There are may great authors who have written on prayer for example E.M.Bounds, or read the biographies of men like Praying Hyde, Rees Howells Intercessor, David Brainerd etc.
May you have an awesome weekend.
