Prayer
At a very young age each individual was taught to pray. At crèche we all said grace before we ate; in primary school we taught the Lord’s Prayer. But it is amazing that when we grow we pray less each day.
Now ladies and gentlemen…..what is prayer?
To me this is how I communicate with God, my Abba Father.
Take this scenario: any woman in love wants her boyfriend to call her; send her smses and always keep in touch with her. In this way he makes her feel secured and loved and you’d always hear women saying that they want a man who will give them undivided attention.
This must also apply to our relationship with God. Because after all how can you relate to someone you never communicate with?
Now when we pray we tell God we love Him; we appreciate all that He is doing and all that He has done in our lives. We express our love for Him; and yes it is absolutely vital to everyone not only to born again Christians
I like to say that when your alarm goes off in the morning and you switch it off…………guess what? You are alive. Do you know what that means? It means that God is trusting you with His precious breath. A life; to fulfil your purpose here on earth. So thank Him. Even if you just say “God; this is a new day. Thank you for trusting me with your precious breath. May all I do today give glory to you. Amen.”
This is short but I think it is the same as receiving an sms form a lover with only three magic words we all love to hear “I love you”
Do not reject God; when you don’t pray it is the same as when you are in a relationship with someone who never gets in touch with you.
Now I believe we all know the Lord’s Prayer (Mat 6 v 9-13). This prayer is the best. It says it all in less 1 minute. Praying does not mean shouting for 15 minutes. A person who shouts and moves around for20 minutes or so is not a better prayer than the one who sits down saying only a few words from their hear. Well; at least this is my take on it. I believe it is better when the words are straight from the heart than blubbering.
In the case of a born again, there is what is called praying in the spirit, also known as tongues. And no there are no classes for this type of prayer. This is not earthy language.
To be able to do this:
• You must accept Jesus as your personal survivor
• Grow spiritually (by fellowshipping and eating the word)
• Be spirit filled
• Get holy spirit baptismal(others call it holy ghost baptismal)
Why do born again Christians pray in tongues
• To be more connected to God (cause God understand it)
• To confuse the devil
• The word of God states that we are not fighting with the physical but with rulers; authorities and against powers of the dark and against spiritual evil forces. (Eph 6 v 12)
One may ask this question: Why must we pray?
• The bible says we must pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5v 16- 18)
• Sounds impossible? Phil 4v 13 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
• Why? Because you wont be anxious about anything since you take everything to God in prayer and always giving thanks
• The reward? Shalom! God’s peace; peace that surpass human understanding; peace when indebted; peace in sickness; peace when work frustrate you; peace after making wrong decisions and always wanting to kick yourself for it; peace all the time
• Phil 4 v 6-8
Is prayer really that important? Yes. Jesus also said “pray so that you may not fall into temptation”
Conditions for prayer
• Abide in Christ
• Pray according to God’s will. Always say in your prayer “God let your will be done”.
• Believe that God answers prayers
• Schedule prayer time (what is bound on earth is also bound in heaven so try your best to stick to it)
• Pray in the spirit if you can
• Get yourself a prayer partner (sedikwa ke ntswa pedi ga se thata—meaning it is better if you are two than when you do it alone)
Luke 1 v 37 says God can do anything. Remember anything include everything which includes all things, so make your request known to Him through prayer.
Other prayers from the bible
Ps 23
Ps 24
Ps 121
Ps 118
Pray all time and pray for any reason….after all the word of God says make your request known to God through prayer
In your own word; what is prayer?
How do you pray?
Does God answer prayers? Please share your personal experience
Do you know a silent prayer? Do you believe in one?
Does prayer work?