LORD TEACH US HOW TO PRAY?
James the half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ makes a powerful statement in his letter, James 5;16 AMP N.T. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
There are some keys words that we need to highlight from this translation.
The one who prays must be walking in RIGHTEOUSNESS
Not a one off prayer but a CONTINUED prayer, James would have heard Jesus say as recorded in Matthew 7:7 AMP N.T. Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. PRAYER REQUIRES PERSISTENCE.
Prayer makes TREMENDOUS POWER AVAIULABLE, THAT IS DYNAMIC IN ITS WORKING.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS TYPE OF PRAYING?
1 John 5:14 AMP N.T. And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.
We need to have CONFIDENCE that God is LISTENING which sure produces BOLDNESS when we pray.
John 14:13 NLT You can ask for ANYTHING IN MY NAME, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it
What a glorious promise, we so need a revelation of the power and authority that has been delegated to us to use THE NAME OF JESUS, but we must see there is NO MIXTURE in our praying, but that ALL THE RESULTS ARE FOR THE FATHER’S GLORY.
Matthew 21:22 NLT tells us You can pray for ANYTHING, and if you have FAITH, you will receive it.” How do we get faith like that ??? Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the (Rhema) word of God. This is not simply reading but meditating on the Word of God and letting the Holy Spirit “turn the light on, and that revelation puts FAITH in our hearts to pray for anything (that is in according to His will (in agreement with His own plan) 1 John 5:14
How do we come to this place to be so effective in prayer?? King David knew the answer in Psalm 37:4 NKJV Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart. The PASSION translation says Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life,
and he will provide for you what you desire the most.
My readers know that I define prayer as THE INTIMATE COMMUNICATIUON BETWEEN TWO LOVERS. We need to spend quality time daily deepening our love for the Lord Jesus, and the result is, that our desires diminish and God put HIS DESIRES in our heart, and they become OUR DESIRES.
I have written this blog today, as I have been meditating on the changes the Lord has brought about in my ministry, where a major part of my day is now spent in INTERCESSION, and many of the principles above are getting into my life MORE & MORE, and I am seeing so many answers to prayer, prmarily for others in their lives and ministries, but I want to testify that God is answering my personal prayers too, and I GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY.
I trust this simple blog on prayer has been a blessing to you, and a CHALLENGE to press into God more, and fall more deeply in love with Him, and that you too will spend more time praying for others Amen.
Do you remember this old hymn?
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed!
The motion of a hidden fire, that trembles in the breast
Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear.
The upward glance of an eye, when none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech, that infant lips can try,
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on high
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, the Christian’s native air.
His watchword at the gate of death, He enters heaven with prayer.
The saints at prayer appear as one, in word and deed and mind.
Whilw with the Father and the Son, sweet fellowship they find,
O Thou by whom we come to God, the Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod, Lord teach us how to pray!
