Have a talk with God. Stevie Wonder had a song by that name. It was on his album, “Songs In The Key of Life”, which I think is one of the greatest albums of all time. The song talks about having a talk with God when life gets too hard. What does it mean to have a talk with God, or what does it mean to pray? These are questions that I have asked myself, and I’m sure many others have asked themselves the same questions in an effort to improve their prayer lives. I decided to do a little research to help improve my prayer life. Prayer should be a major part of every Christian’s life, but how many of us take time out in our day to pray? I find it hard sometimes to take out time to have a prayer session with God. I mean, it’s easy for me to say a bunch of short quicky prayers throughout my day, and that’s a good thing too, but still we need to take time away from everything to spend with God.
Even Christ Saw The Need To Pray
John 17 is an entire chapter where Jesus prayed to the Father. I mean if Jesus Christ, the son of God, our Messiah, took time to pray, how much more should we. First though, lets take a look at exactly what prayer is.
What Is Prayer?
Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk with God. This was made possible through his son Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sin so that we could be reconciled with God. It is a two-way communication between man/woman and God. Two way, meaning that we not only talk to God, but where God speaks to us as well. It is our way of communicating our thoughts, needs, and desires to God. In other words, it’s talking to God. I don’t know if we can fully comprehend just how big this is.
Talking With The Creator of The Universe
We have 24 hours, seven days a week access to be able to talk with God. God, the creator of the universe. The creator of everything we can see, and know, and even beyond the limits of our comprehension, and we can talk with him anytime we want. Try calling up your mayor, or governor, or the president, and say you want to talk with them, and see how far you get. Probably not very far, but we can talk with God anytime.
A Blueprint For Prayer
As it was just mentioned, prayer is just talking with God. We can talk with God from our heart. Jesus though, in Matthew 6:5-13, actually laid out a blueprint showing us how to pray. Jesus first tells us to pray privately, and not make a public show of it. I’m sure he is not talking about when you’re praying publicly in church, or someplace. He was talking about the hypocrites, and how they loved to pray publicly where everyone could see them, or basically putting on a show for people. He said to instead, go to a place to pray to the father in private. Jesus also tells us not to babble on and on and think just because we are using a lot of words, or saying the same thing over, and over again that our prayers will be more likely to be answered. Then he told his disciples to pray like this.
The Lord’s Prayer
The prayer that Jesus recited to the disciples as well as the way to pray, known as The Lord’s Prayer, has seven parts:
“Our father which art in heaven.”
-Recognizing God for who he is
“Hallowed be thy name.”
-Worship His name
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
-Asking that His will be done.”
“Give us this day, our daily bread.”
-Making our petitions known to God. Asking for what we need.
“And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
-Asking for God’s forgiveness, as we forgive others.”
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil .”
-Asking for His guidance, and to protect us from the evil in the world.
This is found in Matthew 6:9-13.
How Often Should We Pray?
There is no set number of times that we should pray., but we should set time aside every day for it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” To pray without ceasing is simply keeping an open connection with God throughout your day, shifting our thought process and turning everyday moments into prayer. Learning to pray throughout the day, thanking God for what he has done for us. Also, pray when you, and others you know are facing issues or problems, and need help. Praying for others is known as intercessory prayer, because you are interceding on behalf of someone else. Philippians 4:6 says, “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
God Wants A Relationship With Us
Remember that God wants to have a relationship with us. (John 3:16, John14) Prayer is one of the ways to strengthen that relationship. When you’re building a relationship with someone, how often do you want to speak with them? Well you are building a relationship with God, a relationship that will last for eternity, and communication with God is a vital part of building that relationship.
How Does God Talk To Us?
Like we said previously, prayer is communication with God. Communication is a two-way deal. Think about when you are talking with your family or friends. If it is just you doing the talking, and not listening for their response, that’s not really communication. We need to listen also as God speaks to us. The most common way God speaks to us, is through His Word, the Bible.
How Does God Answer Our Prayers?
How does God answer our prayers? First, for God to answer our prayers, we need to have a relationship with Him, and that happens only though Jesus Christ. When a person has a relationship with God, they are actually His child, and He knows them. (1 John3:1-3) Say you ask a stranger for a favor. What do you think the chances are that they would help you, especially since they don’t have a relationship with you? On the other hand, what if you had a relationship with that person, and they were a good friend of yours? Now there is a good chance that they would help you, if they were able. John 15:7 says, “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you wants, and it will be granted.” Just to let you know, this is not a get anything you want ticket. God will answer your prayers according to His will, and His wisdom, and His love for us.
Hindrances To Prayer
I know sometimes it may feel that God is not answering our prayers, and does not hear us. There are a few things that will actually cause our prayers to God to be hindered.
Unconfessed Sin
This is probably the biggest hindrance to our prayers being answered. This not only can hinder our prayers being answered, but it can also hinder our relationship with God. Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Also, Psalm 55:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” Regard means to cling or hold onto. We all sin, but to habitually commit sin with no remorse will cause our prayers to be unanswered.
Disobedience
When we disobey God, we sin. Sin will hinder our relationship with God, and it will also hinder our prayers. As Christians, obedience to God should be major. Our whole relationship with God is determined by our obedience to Him. John 14:15 says, “If you love me, you will keep my commands.”
Wrong Motive
Praying with the wrong motive is also a way to have our prayers unanswered. It is possible to pray for the right thing, but for the wrong reason. For example, someone prays that God will prosper their ministry. That’s a good thing to pray, but if they are asking for their ministry to be prospered so their own name will shine, well, that’s a wrong motive. The correct motive would be that ultimately God’s name will be glorified. Matthew 6:1 says, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”
Doubt
If we doubt that God will answer our prayer, that shows a lack of faith in what God says in His word. Our prayers cannot be separated from our faith. If we don’t have faith in God, then our prayers will go unanswered. Matthew 13:58 says, “And so he only did a few miracles because of their unbelief.”
God’s Answer May Not Come The Way You Expect
Also, remember that God’s answer may not come in the way you are thinking it will. God’s answers are yes, no, and wait. There are times when God will say no, to a prayer request. We just have to have faith and realize the God knows what is best for us, even better than we do. If your preteen child asked you for a car, you’d probably say no. Why? Because they are not ready for a car, and by law, they are too young to drive. They may not be able to understand this, but you, with much more wisdom, know they aren’t ready. Just like if God tells us no, it is because he knows what is best for us. Remember that three times the Apostle Paul prayed that the thorn in his flesh would be removed, but instead of removing it, God told him, “My grace is sufficient.” God may also tell us to wait, that it’s not time yet. Again, we have to trust God, knowing that he knows what is best for us, and everything is in His timing.
Prayerful Attitude
There is an attitude of prayer that we should develop as a condition on which God will hear and answer our prayers. An attitude of acceptance, faith, perseverance, praying within God’s will, and thanksgiving.
Acceptance
This is accepting the fact that God knows what our needs are, better than we do.
Faith
The next one is an attitude of faith. James 1:5-7 says, “If you need wisdom ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from God. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
Persistance
Jesus said we should always pray and not give up. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the story of the widow, and the judge who neither feared God or man, and how the widow kept coming before the judge asking for justice. At first the judge ignored her, but finally because she was driving the judge crazy with her persistence, he granted her justice. Then in verse 7 Jesus says, “Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
Praying Within God’s Will
Another question to ask is, are we praying within God’s will? 1 John 5:14 says, “If we pray anything according to God’s will he hears us and grants that prayer.” God will not work against his will for us.
Thanksgiving
We are to make our request to God with thanksgiving. Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
In Conclusion
When it come to prayer, this post barely scratches the surface. There is so much more about prayer that can be talked about. I would encourage you, as well as myself, to make sure you spend time everyday in prayer. Pray throughout your day as things come up, or even just to say a quick, thank you, to God for the way he is moving in your day. It is also important though, to find some alone time to be with God to communicate with him, and in turn, help build up your relationship with him.
Pic Of The Post
The picture of this post shows how life can be without a consistent prayer life. The name of the picture is, Boom, like an explosion. Without a consistent prayer life, it may sometimes feel like our life is exploding, or falling apart. We don’t want that, so let’s take the time to have a talk with God. To take a look at the picture, please click on the “Pic Of The Post” link. Feel free to leave questions or comments.