Prayer

Jesus Christ gave us clear and simple instructions on how to pray to our Heavenly Father in Matthew 6:5-15. The Apostle James tells us why we should pray in James 5:13-18.

Our Lord gave us a model prayer after one of His disciples said unto Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1.

We are to pray to "Our Father who is in heaven" because He is all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful. We are also instructed to pray in the name of Jesus. (John 14:13-14) depending on the mediative influence of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:26-27)

1. We are to pray for his will to be done in all things.
2. We are to pray for the coming of the Kingdom. (Matthew 25:31-46)
3. We are to pray for our daily necessities.
4. We are to pray for forgiveness, and practice forgiving others.
5. We are to pray to be led by the Lord, and our deliverance from evil.
6. We are to pray in faith, for "without faith it is impossible to please Him." (Hebrews 11:5-6)

The model prayer that Jesus gave us is brief and clear. It is not repetitious - it is a perfect prayer. (Matthew 7:7-11)

Prayer is asking and receiving: it is talking with God. It is making your request known unto Him in faith. The above Scripture is so simple on the surface, that we are in danger of failing to recognise its immensity. Our Lord instructs the believer to ask, seek and knock, because these three words cover the whole spectrum of prayer.

Prayer is asking and receiving. When you know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be material or spiritual, you can ask and receive. This is prayer according to the revealed will of God. (1 John 5:14-15)

Prayer is seeking and finding. When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be material or spiritual, then you are to seek His will in prayer concerning this need until you find it. This is prayer for a knowledge of the unrevealed will of God in a specific need. (Colossians 3:1, Jeremiah 29:12)

Prayer is knocking and opening. When you know the will of God and yet you find a closed door, you are to knock, and keep on knocking until God opens the door. This is tenacious prayer - prayer for mountain-moving faith. Knocking prayer perseveres until the impossible becomes the possible. This is miracle-working prayer. (Matthew 17:14-21) All things are possible when you ask, seek and knock!

There was a remarkable change in the prayer life of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus, and it is noted again after Pentecost. Before the death of Jesus, the disciples slept while Jesus prayed in the garden (Matthew 26:36-46) But after His death and resurrection it was different.

1. They assembled in the upper room waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit, and they prayed. We should always pray when assembled with other believers. (Acts 1:13-14)
2. They prayed as they went from house to house (Acts 2:42-47)
3. They prayed in the Church when Peter was in prison. (Acts 12:5-19)
4. Paul and Silar prayed in prison (Acts 16:25). Here we see Christians praying in the presence of unbelievers, but not to be heard of them. Never pray to please others: only pray to please God.
5. The most important place to pray is any place where you can be alone with God. (Matthew 6:6)
6. We are instructed to pray in all places at all times. (1 Timothy 2:8)

We are privileged to be able to talk with God at any time or place, and under any conditions. We know that He will hear and answer.

When prayers are answered but it is not what we want, we should examine ourselves in the light of God's Word. If you find anything you're doing that's not pleasing to God, confess it, believing God for forgiveness that your prayers may be answered.

1. An unharmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer. (1 Peter 3:1-7)
2. Selfishness will hinder prayer. (James 4:3)
3. An unforgiving spirit will hinder prayer. (Matthew 5:22-24) Many Christians go without answers to prayer because they have wronged others or have been wronged, and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.
4. Unbelief will hinder prayer. (James 1:6-7, Hebrews 11:6)
5. Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer. (Isaiah 59:1-2, Psalms 66:18)
6. When you pray go to God in all humility. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life that is not pleasing to Him. Then judge it, confess it (calling it by name), and forsake it. Pray in all simplicity and earnestness, believing, and God will hear and answer.

The Bible is filled with answered prayers from Genesis to Revelation. You are commanded to pray, and God has promised to answer (Jeremiah 33:3). In the above scripture there are two requirements for answers to prayer. First you are to abide in Him, that is to continue in Him. It means to remain in His perfect will at all costs (Romans 12:1-2). Second His words are to abide in you: they are to become a vital part of your life. You are to be filled with and be guided by His words (Colossians 3:16-17). Meet these two requirements and your prayers will be answered.

The answer is sometimes immediate. Peter walked on water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink he prayed, "Lord, save me." The answer was immediate (Matthew 14:22-31)

The answer is sometimes delayed. The delay is according to His will (Romans 8:28) The resurrection of Lazarus is a good example of delayed answer to prayer. Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him. But Jesus delayed coming until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. The answer was delayed - but not denied. (John 11:1-44)

The answer is sometimes "no". When God answers with a "no" He always accompanies the answer with peace. (Philemon 4:6-7) and grace (2nd Corinthians 12:7-10)

The answer is sometimes different from what you expect. You pray for patience and God sends tribulations - because "tribulation worketh patience" (Romans 5:3). God answers all your prayers - not according to your wishes but according to His perfect will.