Prayer 1

There are hundreds of books and teachings available on prayer each with their own formula for getting results.  My attempts on this blog to discuss the topic are not meant to be all encompassing but they are meant to enhance your understanding of what prayer is and hopefully, to stimulate your desire to make more heartfelt contact with the Living God who sent His Son to die on a cross on our behalf.  

               If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

                              2 Chronicles 7:14 Amplified

The word pray in this verse is "Palal" and it means to interceed or make supplication on behalf of another.  To stand in the gap.  There are 3 things we can learn about prayer from this verse:

1.  Humility is first.  “Humble yourself” - if you don’t do it, God will do it for you.  As someone who has experienced the hand of God in correction, I can promise it is much nicer when you do it yourself.  Be accountable for your thoughts, words, and deeds. 

  

2.  Turn to God.  Purposefully seek out God, search for His presence, His face, and His will.  Ask for understanding of His will and what role He wants you to play in His plan.  Ask Him to help you see clearly the deceptions of the enemy and to avoid temptation.  

3.  Repent.  Turn away from anything and everything that you have placed before God.  Refuse to accept anything that goes against His word.  Admit what you have done wrong, repent, receive God’s forgiveness and move on. 

When a genuine heart speaks to God not only is the prayer heard, but sins are removed and healing comes in.  There are no limits to the benefits of faith-filled prayer (James 5:16).  The impact will be seen in and experienced in individuals, families, churches, communities, cities, states, and nations.

Prayer and the holy life are one.  You cannot have one without the other.  Faith-filled prayer is what gives substance to the holy life and a holy life cannot exist without the presence of prayer.

Prayer is our greatest weapon.  It has no substitute.  There is nothing else in this world that can unleash all the powers of Heaven like prayer can.  Your faith in God moves Him to act on your behalf and calls to action all the resources of heaven.

Jesus taught the disciples that on their own they would have no power, they could do nothing.  But with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). We invite God into our lives through prayer.  Recognizing our need for God is only the beginning.  From there, we must pursue and maintain a personal relationship with Him that is only achieved through prayer.

Spend some time hanging out with God.  Confess your sins and ask for mercy.  Accept the gift of forgiveness and do your best to avoiding repeating any sinful behaviors.  

Next time we will take a look at what prayer is.

May God's blessings shine upon you.
Heidirn