Today we are talking about prayer and how it is part of the Christian walk.
One cannot claim to be a Christian but fail to observe or partake in a prayerful life.
Acts 1:14 (AMP) 14 Shows how the early church community started by being devoted together in prayer.
The church had one mind; to worship as they were told to wait for a Helper who was to come.
This is when the Holy spirit fell upon all of them for the first time and various languages (tongues) could be heard from the disciples.
Prayer is so important to the life of a believer but many will ask, how does one pray?
Even the disciples who were very close to Jesus asked Him to teach them to pray. This request came from observing how Jesus prayed which was very different from how the disciples were used to praying, His prayer was very effective and produced results. Thus Jesus taught us basic way to pray.
Matthew 6:9-14 (AMP) 9. Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be your name. 10. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11. Give us this day our daily bread. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. 13. And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14. For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
From the prayer above it shows each time we pray we should reverence the Lord and give Him all the glory. After glorifying the Lord, we then go on to claim the benefits of the kingdom as we are taught that we are in this world but not of this world.
Matthew 7:7-11 gives us a clear way of how we must approach God in prayer. Critically we mustn't waste time beating around the bush with God. When it comes to asking what we need from God, we must be direct and clear.
It's not a cat and mouse game or hide and sick. We must always bear in mind that God knows all our needs even before we ask Him.
This scripture gives us picture of the type of relationship we have with God our creator. It is likened to the relationship we have with our earthly fathers. For what we ask from them, they are sure to give us not to be evil and give us what will harm us. So here in is an approach that we are being taught when approaching God with our issues. We must use thus approach when we are praying for our daily needs, our families, employment, for forgiveness etc.
Philippians 4:6-7 Apostle Paul teaches us to make our request known with prayer and supplication as we are now able to enter boldly the throne of God.
You must not get tired of prayer. Even when things seem not to move at all, keep praying. Let all your needs be known unto God through prayer.
Jesus teaches us to ask for forgiveness but the condition is also forgive and let go of grudges because all of us have fallen short of the Glory and we are only made righteous by the grace of God and no one should ever take it for granted.
After we have learnt how prayer should be structured, Jesus teaches us humbleness in prayer. He emphasized that prayer should be private and not a show off because it’s one thing to pray to be well known as a prayer warrior and it’s another thing to gather together in one mind to worship.
Matthew 6:5-8 (AMP) 5. Also when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by people.
Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already. 6. But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.
From the above scripture we have also realised that prayer is very important and is the time to separate yourself from the world and have a moment with your creator.
Even Jesus (God the Son) during His time on earth He would always find time separate himself for prayer.
He would go to the mountain alone to pray. He was committed to prayer so much. So as a Christian find time to separate yourself for prayer.
Prayer has a way of uniting people together to form communities. It is these community structures that form the backbone of our societies.
Churches have become our primary source of counselling and support. Churches to some are even replacing family support as people are able to pray for each other and support the needs of many even financially.
The Apostles always gathered to pray (Acts 12:5, 7 (NIV) and this means they were always in one accord. Find a place to gather with others for prayers just as the early Christians gathered in one place and prayed for Peter when he was in prison.
Acts 13:2-3 (MSG) 2. One day as they were worshiping God--they were also fasting as they waited for guidance--the Holy Spirit spoke: "Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do." 3. So they commissioned them. In that circle of intensity and obedience, of fasting and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off.
Prayer allows us to make right decisions whether in taking a new job, starting a business, moving to a new town and even marriage. So before you make any big move always pray.
Acts 10:1-3 (NIV) 1. At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!”
As Christians we believe if we live a prayerful life, one day God will receive our prayer and our lives will positively change just like Cornelius. So keep on praying one day your prayer will reach heaven. Pray every day even when you are not feeling like it. Prayer changes a lot of things. Prayer gives us time to communicate with God and make our requests known to him. It strengthens our relationship with God. Finally Prayer unites people together and gives us a sense of belonging. It gives us a community that supports each other in times of need.
There are so many scriptures of how prayer transformed many people. Through prayer, many battles were worn. The Israelites would engage in war without consulting God through prayer. Prayer is so important such that it must be a lifestyle in everything we do.
*Prosper Tingini is the Scribe of the Children of God Missionary Assembly - God’s messengers. Contact details: Mobile & whatsapp – 0771 260 195. Email address: ptingini@gmail.com