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Prayer

My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Ps. 27:8 (NIV)

Wishful Thinking: I hope God Hears Me.

Many people pray with the hope that God is listening. People pray when they need God to act on their behalf. People pray when they are hurting. People pray for deliverance. People pray when they have a heart-felt emergency. 

What is Prayer?

This blog will simply state, What Prayer Is? 

 

What Is Prayer? (James 5:16)

"Prayer is the expression of man's dependence upon God for all things"  

Prayer is:

1. T pilla, in general, supplication to God (Pss. 65:2; 80:4; Isa. 1:15; Job 16:17)  Intercession, meaning, supplication for another  (2 Kings 19:4; Isa. 37:4; Jer. 7:16; 11:14)

2. Palal, to Judge, and then to interpose as umpire, mediator" This is what Jesus does for us. He is mediator; He prays on our behalf (Heb. 7:25; 1 Tim. 2:5)

3. Atar, to burn incense, therefore to pray to God (Job 33:26), the prayers of the righteous being likened to incense (Rev. 5:8).

4. Lahash, to 'whisper a prayer' uttered in a low voice (Isa. 26:16). Lahash is a quiet whispering prayer (like the whispering forms of incantation in (Isa. 3:3); sorrow renders speechless in the long run; and a consciousness of sin crushes so completely that a man does not dare to address God aloud Isa. 29:4)

(All of the above has been taken from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary, p. 1025)

 

Simply stated: Prayer is simply talking or connecting with the Only One who is above all living beings and who can change anything pertaining to life. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Why Should One Pray?

When I pray, I don't know what to say. Is it necessary to pray? I hate to ask God for anything...He has done so much for me. Why bother Him?

1. Simply put: God is Worthy to be praised! We cannot do life without Him.

God created you and I in His image (Gen. 1:27; 2:7) . He gives us a meaningful life Ps. 139). He is our hope (Jeremiah 29:11). He is eternal (Ps. 90:2). 

God is in touch with His creation (Col. 1:15; Heb. 4:15)

Check out this song by Crowder and think about why you should pray:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9s7GogPKCg

Simply Stated: Why should one pray?

We need God! He alone can answer all of our prayers.

Further references on why we should pray are as listed:

1. Heb. 4:16

2. Matt. 7:9:11

3. Ps. 73

4. Matt. 11:28

5. Ps. 34:18

6. 2 Cor. 12:9

7. Ps. 51

8. Ps. 139: 23-24

I Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without Ceasing. (NKJV)

When/How Should One Pray?

Should I kneel? Is there a particular number of times I should pray per day? Should I set aside a time of the day to pray? Is there a specific way I should pray? Should I use a particular method?

 

According to the above Scripture verse, believers must always pray. 

To pray without ceasing is to first have a trusted relationship with the one you are praying to...God desires an intimate relationship with His children. Jesus Christ allows us this relationship with God as the mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). Therefore, we have access to the Father, Creator of the Universe. We can trust Him in and for everything!

 

Hebrews 6:17-18 states: "Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us."

 

Many methods will lead us in how to pray, but these are practical guides of prayer.

These give us a basis for prayer.

1. Jesus' model of prayer for his disciples: Matt. 6:9-13

2. P.R.A.Y. (Walk With God, by Craig Etheredge)

  • Praise: God for His providence in our lives (2 Chr. 5:13-14).

  • Return: back to God for forgiveness and mercy (Ps. 139:23-24).

  • Ask: God for needs and concerns you may have (Matt. 7:7-8).

  • Yield: Surrender...walk according to His will (Matt. 6:13).

3. A.C.T.S.

  • Adoration=Praise Gof for who He is.

  • Confession: Confess your sins and ask God's forgiveness.

  • Thanksgiving: Thank God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in your life.

  • Supplication: Present your request to God.

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