Through nature and revelation, through His providence, and by the influence of His Spirit, God speaks to us. But these are not enough; we need also to pour out our hearts to Him. In order to have spiritual life and energy, we must have actual intercourse with our heavenly Father. Our minds may be drawn out toward Him; we may meditate upon His works, His mercies, His blessings; but this is not, in the fullest sense, communing with Him. In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life
Steps to Christ
Have you ever thought of what prayer is all about? Its importance and the privileges we get from it?
What is prayer? It is the ‘opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.’
Let us notice how people in the Bible interacted with prayer.
Nehemiah: After hearing about how Jerusalem was laid in ruins, he ‘sat down and wept and mourned for many days; he fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4) Nehemiah prayed for his people. Here we see the importance of praying for others as well.
Daniel: He was a very prayerful man. After the governors and the Satraps had made a plot against him to the king that no one should pray to any other god but the king. He defied this order. The Bible writes that “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” (Daniel 6:10). We learn from this that we need to have a consistent and intentional prayer life and nothing should hinder us from making implications from God.
David: He prayed for the forgiveness of sins. His prayer is recorded in the book of Psalms 51. We learn from this the importance of praying a repentance (R) prayer.
Paul told the Colossians to continue earnestly in prayer being vigilant in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2). He also directed the Philippians to ‘Be anxious in nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication; with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6)
Jude also says “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 20,21)
Peter also warns that “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)
Jesus when He was among men was always in constant prayer. He was in all points tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15) and He relied wholly on the strength supplied by His Father through prayer.
Our Saviour identified Himself with our needs and weakness, in that He became a suppliant, a petitioner, seeking from His Father fresh supplies of strength, that He might come forth braced for duty and trial
Steps to Christ
Jesus also prayed for His disciples and followers (John 17)
And if the Saviour of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer.
Steps to Christ
There are certain conditions that we must fulfill for our prayers to be answered.
1: We must feel the need of help from God
Our hearts must be open to the Holy Spirit’s influence and we must realize our hunger and thirst after righteousness for we will be filled. (Matthew 5:6). God has promised that “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon dry ground” (Isaiah 44:3)
2: We must have Faith
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Mark 11:24 – Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Do you believe in these promises? Do you offer prayers of faith? Do you let God’s will prevail? When your prayers don’t get answered at the time you wished or in the way you wished it is important to still believe that God is still in control and will make things clear in due time.
3: A forgiving heart
If we expect our prayers to be heard and answered we must forgive others in the same way we hope to be forgiven. (Mathew 6:12) We should have the spirit of love and forgiveness in our hearts. Otherwise, our prayers will be empty words.
4: Diligence in prayer
There is a necessity for diligence in prayer. Make every effort to keep communication between you and your Saviour seamless. Create time for personal prayer, and pray with your family and friends.
Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain.
Steps to Christ
Friend remember that it is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected. Therefore let us with reverent joy come before our creator with thanksgiving and with a voice of melody (Isaiah 51:3)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.