Prayer For Fellowship and Relationship With Our Lord

"The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer fetched the angel."   -Thomas Watson

One scholar read through the book of Matthew and he focused on the top 10 topics Jesus taught. Coming in at number 9 was prayer (46 verses)   -(James E. Smith, “The Restoration Herald”)

Someone else did a study on all 4 of the Gospels and found that there were 17 different times when we’re told that Jesus prayed! They found that:

• He prayed early in the morning, late at night, all through the night.
• He prayed at the beginning of His ministry. (Luke 3:21-22)
• He prayed before He chose His 12 disciples. (Luke 6:12-13)
• He prayed before healing the crowds. (Mark 1:35)
• He prayed before He fed the 5,000. ( Mark 6:41)
• He prayed before bringing Lazarus back to life . . . ( John 11:41-43)
• Jesus prayed before His Transfiguration . . .( Luke 9:28-29)
• Jesus prayed at the Mount of Olives before being betrayed . . . (Luke 22:39-42)
• And He prayed while He was on the cross . . . (Luke 23:34)

Almost all of our prayers begin by rushing into a series of requests in which we pour out our problems, our needs, and our irritations to God. This only tends to reinforce the focus of our attention on what is troubling us and our inability to remedy it. It could be that this is at least part of the problem of why we are more depressed, and frustrated after we pray than before.

Alan Redpath sums up how many feel even when they have prayed, “When we have finished our praying we can scarcely bring ourselves to believe that our feeble words can have been heard, or that they can have made a difference in the things concerning which we have been praying. We've said our prayers but we have not prayed.” [Victorious Praying: Studies in the Lord’s Prayer ( Grand Rapids: Fleming Revell, 1993) p. 12]

As followers of Christ we should want to learn how to pray and get results. Correct? We need to learn how to pray and get results. However, most Christians are not taught how to pray, they only copy patterns of prayers that we have heard others pray. I must admit that I have been guilty of this myself. But, the truth be told, is that there is a right way to pray and a wrong way to pray. Words are powerful (Proverbs 18:21).

If you pray “Lord whatever it takes for me to draw close to you” You opened your self up to a field day for the Devil. (There is a proper way to get close without letting the devil beat you up.) Begging and complaining is not Prayer. Gossiping about your friends, and listing your sins are not praying either.

Neither is it proper prayer just because you are at an altar, or because you raise your hands. You must pray properly if you want positive results! In other words, we need to learn how to be effective in prayer, and why. Sinners pray to win the Lottery. Criminals pray for a lenient Judge. Christians pray for things. In many cases, Christians can't tell you for sure that they prayed and God answered! Answer to prayer is when you ask and get what you ask for without you changing a thing. Fortunately, The Word gives us clear instructions about prayer, if we would only take the time to look at them.

Why don't we do that? Let's refer to some scripture for instructions on prayer. Look at James 4:3. The scripture is clear here that a selfish prayer will not be answered. God wants to answer your prayers, but is not willing to meet a selfish desire. James 5:15 tells us that not just any prayer will be answered, but the prayer of faith. Most of us wait to see if we have it, before we believe that we have it. Mark 11:24 tells us that when you pray, believe that you will receive.

Again, if you need to know God’s will simply look in the Scriptures. If you do not find it ask for wisdom (James 1:5). Whatever you do, always ask in faith and keep on believing without a backup plan . You don't need one with God. Most of us have a backup plan, aspirin, MasterCard, etc. Scripture is clear that if we waver, we will not get anything. I just want to make sure that you understand this before moving on.

1 John 5:14 tells us that in prayer, we must ask according to God’s will. Many finish their prayer with “If it be thy will.” This will open you up to be ravaged by the Devil. You're telling God, The Devil, The Angels, and everyone else that you don't know what God's will is! Know that God's will is from Scripture (Luke 22:42). He is a healer, a deliverer, and He wants us to prosper. As mentioned above, when Scripture does not speak, pray for wisdom.

Here is an important point to remember. Answered prayer is not on our terms! There are rules about prayer in order to get them answered (Matthew 6:5-34). And, as you probably know, there are many kinds of prayer: Intercession, Faith, Repentance, Thanksgiving, Agreement, Self Strengthening, etc. Each one is prayed by different rules. For example, you wouldn't pray, "Thank you Lord that I am a sinner." Similarly, intercession prayer wouldn't work for healing. And, you can't pray an agreement prayer for an unspoken request.

I'd like to mention a few more important things to know about prayer. The motive of prayer is important. Look at (Matthew 6:5-6). In other words, why? This doesn't condemn public prayers, but does say that if it's to impress others it better be very impressive because it will not be answered. On the other hand, many will not pray in public because they are afraid of what others will think or say. Another thing, some think that Old English is the only prayer version that God can understand. Your native language is not the key in prayer. God understands the heart!

Scripture also reminds us not to use vain repetitions when praying (Matthew 6:7). It is not the repeating of phrases over and over, or even the length of prayers that pleases God. Some believe that you must get up every morning at 5 o’clock and pray for two hours before you can face the day. If this works for you, awesome! Keep in mind though, that the length of prayers has to do with you as a person. Pray as long as your heart is in it (Matthew 6:8)!

So, in closing, what is the purpose of prayer? In other words, why pray? We pray for fellowship and relationship with the Father. Sadly, some people pray only out of desperation. Why wait until things get to that point? Prayer is the way to receive our needs, and provisions as He sees fit. This is the way God's will is done. Don't use prayer as a shopping list of things to get, but to fellowship with God; and to do some things for Him!

Scripture: Matthew 21:22; Luke 21:36; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 6:9; Psalm 55:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; John 16:23-24

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me see that even in the darkest hour your light will be there to show me the way. Amen

Praise God!

Kellie