THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYERWhat is Prayer?Prayer is our direct link with heaven. Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk to God. He wants us to communicate with Him, like a person-to-person phone call. When we pray we open our heart to God. Many feel that prayer has to be done in a certain position, or a certain place. In reality prayer can take place anywhere, at any time. It is simply a two-way conversation between you and God. It is honest, humble, and personal. Many people desire to pray, but don’t know how. Consider these guidelines:• Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and make you new in Him! “Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins” (Acts 3:19).• Tell Him your needs! “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you” (1 Peter 5:7).• Thank Him, for He died on the cross at Calvary for us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).Why Pray?“During one of his frequent flights, Jay Kesler the former President of Youth for Christ, observed the actions of a young man seated next to him. When the lunch tray was served, this young man turned his down and bowed his head – seemingly in prayer. Kesler, commented to young man, asking him if he was a Christian. His response was blood-curdling. He stated that he was a Satan worshipper and that the members of his church made a vow to fast every Friday at noon.The prayers were for the Christian world to fall into sexual sin, and for their family lives to crumble.” [Excerpt taken from: Rev. Bruce Goettesche – The Importance of Prayer]Does that make you angry? It should. We are in a fierce battle and need the help of God. Does it make you want to become more disciplined in your prayer life? The prayers of believers are powerful. In the same aspect – the lack of prayer among believers is just as powerful - No prayer equals no protection. Neglecting to pray leaves us unarmed as we go into battle. The prayer of faith by believers can break the strongholds in our own lives as well as those seeking to know our Heavenly Father. The earnest prayer of the righteous has great power and wonderful results” (James 5:16).Prayer acknowledges who God is and offers Him glory, honor, and adoration. Jesus illustrates this in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Prayer is seeking direction from God. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus talks about asking, seeking, and knocking, “For everyone who asks, receives.What to Pray?Pray God’s will (which is His word). Pray that God would exalt his name in the world. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9) Pray that God would extend his kingdom in the world. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10) Pray for knowledge of his will. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1:9) Pray to know God better. [We have not ceased to pray for you to be] increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 1:17).Pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13; Ephesians 3:19). Pray that God would save unbelievers. Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1) Pray that God would direct the use of the sword. Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:17-18) Pray for boldness in proclamation. Praying at all times in the Spirit . . . and also for me that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:18-19) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. (Acts 4:29). Pray for strategic wisdom. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5) Pray that God would establish leadership in the outposts. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23) Pray that God would send out reinforcements. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:38) Pray for the encouragement of togetherness. We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:10) Pray for a mind of discernment. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:9-10) Pray for signs and wonders. Lord, grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness . . . while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (Acts 4:29-30) Pray for the healing of wounded comrades. Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:14-15)Pray for miraculous deliverances. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. When he realized [he had been freed], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (Acts 12:5, 12) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake. (Acts 16:25-26)Hindrances to PrayerLack of faith: We do have faith, certainly, but do we use it? If we don't, it will not grow. Here, we need to have sufficient faith to know that the Spirit does hear us and responds to us.Lack of Trust: Trust is a prerequisite to faith. If we lack sufficient trust, we shall certainly be deficient in our faith! Proverbs 3:5, 6 says Lean not to our own understanding (TRUST NOT IN OUR OWN REASONING) in all our ways acknowledge Him and He (through the unction of the Holy Spirit) shall direct our paths. Can we trust the Spirit to pray through us for what is most needed at the time?Lack of Experience: If we don't exercise our faith, and if we don't trust, we shall never build up the vital experience of allowing the Spirit to pray through us. Are you familiar with the terminology –Use it or lose it? The more we exercise our faith, the stronger our faith becomes. The more we yield to the Holy Spirit – the stronger his presence becomes.How to Overcome Obstacles to Prayer?Treat prayer as a necessity. For it is just as much a necessity as eating to nourish our natural bodies. Do you have trouble concentrating: Pray at a time when you are mentally alert - usually the morning is when mental capabilities are at their peak – it is also the best way to start the day). Make a list to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Too much noise? Find a quiet place and let that me your daily “meeting” place. Eliminate time-wasters and distractions - instead of watching your favorite program – devote that time to pray specifically for someone who is in need. Keep a journal – it will encourage you to go back and review and to check off the responses when God has answered a prayer. It will encourage you to want to pray all the more.Finally, Pray without ceasing! Be persistent in prayer. You are not praying vain, repetitious prayers when, after you’ve initially prayed- you continue to put God in remembrance of His promises (in His word). Remember the woman who kept coming before the unjust judge? Her persistence wore him down. Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in prayer!
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