Hey Y’all! It’s A New year! I want to wish A happy new year to you and your family. I hope and pray that it was an amazing holiday time for you and that you had the most fun. as we enter into the new year, I know people will have many different resolutions and one of them may be to get closer to God. One of the main ways that we get closer to god is through our prayer life. I wanted to write and share some tips and important things to understand when it comes to prayer.
PRAYER IS:
Prayer is one of the primary ways we communicate with God. Prayer is communion with god. When we pray, we engage in a fellowship with our maker. he has invited us into having a close relationship with him through the work and person of christ.
PRAYER ISN’T:
Prayer isn’t just Us summoning some force to create things or ordering God to do things for us.
WHY SHOULD WE PRAY REGULARLY?
Praying regularly is important since it allows us to be in constant contact with God. God wants to have a relationship in which we communicate with Him so that He can communicate with us.
Below, I’m going to share some things to consider when it comes to the act of praying:
1.PRAY WITHOUT CEASING…
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- meaning to always pray and never stop.
- We are being given a commandment to never stop praying regardless of what happens in life or the doubt that may creep into our hearts and minds.
2. PRAY IN EVERY SITUATION…
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
— Ephesians 6:18
- God wants you to pray to Him regardless of the situation.
- When things are going well or bad, we pray
- When we are happy or sad, we pray
3. PRAY EXPECTANTLY…
“Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”
— Psalms 5:3:
- we read that David is laying his prayers in front of the lord in the morning and then he waits. He doesn’t wait with grumbling or anxiety. He waits expectant that the lord will answer
4. PRAY RELENTLESSLY…
“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”
— Luke 1:8
- The desire from god is that we would not give up in our prayers.
- we need to keep praying even if our feelings tell us to not even bother praying.
When it comes to the structure of our prayers, it is essential to include a few things:
a. ADORATION (WORSHIP)…
“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.”
— Psalm 104:1-4
- God is honorable and holy. he is worthy of our praise
- We must lift up honor to the lord through our prayers
b. SUPPLICATION
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
— Philippians 4:6
- Supplications are the specific requests that we make to the Lord. Often times requests that cause us anguish
- The Lord tells us to not worry about anything but to pray
c. LOCATION
“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling”
— 1 Timothy 2:8
- when it comes to prayer we often think that we need to be in a specific Place or position or time to pray. that simply isnt the case, we can pray everywhere and anywhere
- People in the bible prayed all at different times. Jesus alone is seen praying in the afternoon and at night/early morning. we also see other people in the Bible praying in different positions.
d. CONFESSION
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9
- When we come to god humbly and tell him the sins we have committed whatever they may be, he is gracious to forgive us.
- this should be one of the key components in our prayers, it shows our humility to the lord.
e. THANKSGIVING
“I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.”
— Psalms 9:1
- Praise is a necessary part of our prayers. it allows us to reflect on the goodness of God.
- Thanking the Lord for all he has done. no matter how small or big it has been, is key. it reminds us that he is faithful and his promises are true.
f. SUBMISSION
“He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.””
— Matthew 26:39
- We have to submit our prayers to God and allow Him to guide our lives.
- This is one of the things I always pray because I want to align my desires and prayers to the lord and it puts my heart in a position to accept whatever the lord’s will is for my life.
Prayer is something that is essential for our lives as believers. building different principles into our prayers will allow us to continue to grow in our relationship with the lord. It will also bring peace to our hearts, as well as humility. let’s make this year one of much prayer in our lives.