Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

 

We find that every great leader, every great King, every strong believer, even our own Lord and Saviour prayed often.  Prayer puts us in the right spiritual mood before we begin our day or face something challenging.  Prayer blesses our food so that it can make our bodies healthy.  Prayer requests that God helps us to overcome struggles that we cannot do without Him.  Prayer asks for guidance when we face a difficult decision.  Prayer grants us protection when we face the enemy or a dangerous situation.  It is the act of prayer that helps us to EQUIP for life's battles and be successful in everything we do.

 

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

 

The Bible says we should pray constantly and in every circumstance and ALWAYS with thanksgiving.  Prayer should be the first thing we do before we start to worry or think of all the what-ifs.  Prayer is a substitute for doubt and fear.  Prayer is what brings us close to God, allowing us to be comforted.

 

Philippians 4:6-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17- Pray without ceasing,

 

Colossians 4:2- Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

 

James 5:13-18 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.

 

PRAY TO ESCAPE TEMPTATION

 

Prayer helps us to be strong when our flesh is weak.  When we prepare in prayer, temptation is bearable and the way out is made obvious.  God helps us by giving us the power to not give in.  Prayer is our shield and strength when the advisary puts stumbling blocks in front of us.  How many times have you faced a situation you weren't prepared for and you gave in?  Do you notice a difference when you pray?

 

Matthew 26:41- Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

PRAY FOR WISDOM

 

There are times in our lives we have trouble understanding God's word or we need help making the right decision.  God promises that is you ever ask for wisdom He will give it to you abundantly without making you feel foolish for asking.  Do you go to God when you are lacking understanding?  Who is it that you run to first when you need guidance?  Do you trust God to put you on the right path to wisdom?

 

James 1:5- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

 

Jeremiah 33:3- Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

 

GOD HEARS HIS CHILDREN

 

God has promised to answer the prayers of those who are His children.  Think about being a parent, you can't help but hear your children when they tug on your shirt or ask you over and over for the same thing. You love them so much and you always desire to give them good things, but sometimes we withold because our children are being disobedient.  Sometimes they ask for something that is not good for them and instead we give them something better or ask them to wait a little bit.  That is how God is with us.  We are His children and He is our Father.  He always hears our prayers and our cries do not go unnoticed.  

 

Luke 11:9-13 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

 

1 John 3:22- And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

 

Psalm 145:18-19 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

 

Likewise, it is easy to not pay attention to the child who is not yours.  Usually as parents we allow their parents to take care of them.  Also in a like manner, God treats the children who are not His.  His focus is on those that are called by His name and they are the ones whom He will respond to.

 

John 9:31- We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

 

PRAY AS IF IT IS ALREADY ANSWERED

 

When we pray in complete faith as if we have already received it, God hears us and gives us what we request.  Do you believe that God is faithful to you?  Do you believe that He desires to bless you?  Do you believe that He hears you?  What stops you from praying in faith?  

 

Mark 11:24-Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

 

Matthew 21:22- And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

 

James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

 

PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE

 

How many times have you prayed for something and you didn't receive an answer?  What do you think was the reason for God's silence?  Sometimes what we pray for is not God's will and He has a better or wiser plan in mind.  

 

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

 

Mark 14:32- Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

 

Sometimes we just give up too early.  God loves persistience and perseverence.  Sometimes God is waiting to see if you stay the course.  How many times have we just prayed once and expected an answer?  Have you ever hear of the story of Daniel and how he prayed for three weeks?  What we don't realize is there is a whole other supernatural world among ours that is constantly at war and sometimes it takes a little while for our answer to come.

 

Daniel 10:2- In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!....

.....10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and onthe palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

 

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Luke 18:1- And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

 

PRAYER IN NUMBERS

 

Prayer that comes from two or more is powerful!  I have seen testimonies of great healing and favor when every one comes together to pray for someone.  Prayer in numbers is like a defense shield where nothing can penetrate through, it is like a force of many that can break down any stronghold, it is like using a megaphone to reach God's ears. Rememeber the story about the walls of Jericho?  That is a good example of what many people can do just by lifting their voices up in faith.  How amazing is that?!

 

Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

 

PRAYING GOD'S WAY

 

So how should we pray?  In Matthew  6:5 we are given a prayer as an example.  Does this mean we have to pray exactly that and only that prayer? No.  It meant to give a guideline of a humble prayer that was not used to show others how righteous you are.  Prayer should never be a means of gain and self promotion.  It should be done in reverance and respect for God.  Prayer is an intimate conversation with our Maker and should be treated with honor.

 

The Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them,for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

 

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come,your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

 

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

PRAYER EQUIPS US

 

Lastly, we pray so that we are EQUIPPED for the coming of our Father and Saviour.  We want to be EQUIPPED to stand strong against the enemy when he comes to deceive the whole world.  We want to have the strength to share the gospel at any cost and to bring hope to those that are lost no matter what persecution we endure.  We must be alert and awake to the enemy's schemes so that we can boldly stand before Jesus when He appears before all creation.

 

Luke 21:36- But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”