Many people often wonder what prayer is. Some talk about prayer because they have heard this word all their lives. They really don’t know what the true meaning of prayer is. Prayer is communicating with the divine; it’s a method by which you talk to God. Prayer should come with focus, respect, and admiration for God. When you pray, you must understand the consciousness to which you’re praying. In this light you pay attention to the cleanliness of your mind. There is no way effective prayer can be done with an unclean conscious mind. You will notice I say conscious, because in most cases you are not aware of what is in the subconscious.
Effective prayer, is done only when you are in alignment with God. Your entire being should at least desire holiness and righteousness. This desire should be sincere and not just because you want something from God. You should also be aware, that the bible states, when the saints begin to pray the Lord should have his way. The Bible also states, the prayer of the righteous availed much and Psalm 34 makes it even clearer by stating, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” And Psalm 66 also states, “if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” For this reason many people pray, pray and pray and God just looks down at them, while they often ask themselves “why am I praying all the time and there’s no answer?”
Many of these people need to go back to the book of Joshua when he told the Israelites sanctify yourselves and God will great things among you? I speak from the point of experience, that is why I can write with conviction and boldness; because I had the spirit of unforgiveness and I had to get rid of that spirit for God to grant me divine favor. Again, effective prayer can only be done when you make up your mind to follow the teachings of Christ, not half way but all the way. Let us now view, what the Bible states about the importance of prayer.
When should you pray? The Bible states: Pray without ceasing. Bring everything to God in prayer; don’t give the devil a chance to make suggestion.
Why should you pray? Prayer could add years to your life, pray prevents hindrances and prayer hinders evil.
How should you pray? Ordinary things take ordinary prayer. Have a saint pray with you. Pray with a clean mind.
Where should you pray? You can pray anywhere but when you align with nature and pray early; the Bible suggest its better for you.
What should you pray about? A clean prayer depends on a clean mind. When you pray from an unclean mind God blocks out your prayer.
What is prayer?
1. Prayer is communicating with God
2. Keeping in touch with God
3. Keeping out distractions, therefore you can hear from God.
1 Thessalonians 1:18→ Paul spoke of hindrance
1 Thessalonians 5:17→Pray without ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:25→ Brethren pray for us
2 Thessalonians 3:1-3→ Paul praying for protection
Matthew 14:23→ Jesus went into the mountain to pray
Matthew 26:36-45→ Jesus prayed for strength three times using the same words. (Ex. Read Psalm 23 everyday)
Matthew 26:53→ Shows prayer as a request to God.
Mark 6:46→ Jesus departed into the mountains to pray.
Mark 11:24-26→ You can pray to get what you need but you must forgive.
Mark 13:18→ Pray to avoid hindrance
Mark 14:38→ Pray to avoid temptation
Luke 6:12→ Again, praying in nature (went into the mountain to pray)
James 13:18→ Prayer heals
The prayer of a righteous person can make a difference in your life.
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