Let's Talk About Prayer

Dear Saints, Praise and prayer go together, sometimes it feels like the more we engage God in praise the easier it is to pray. How do you pray? It depends on who or what your praying for and our relationship with Jesus. Always approach God with reverence. We will see that even Jesus as he prayed to the Father he approached with reverence; “7 During His earthly life,He offered prayers and appeals,with loud cries and tears, to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.” Hebrews 5:7 The Holy Bible: HCSB. So we can also be heard because of our reverence. Jesus didn't do away with the Holy Place from the Most Holy. He removed the vale so that we do not have to wait for a priest, a “saint”, or anyone else to make intercession for us. Jesus sacrificed everything so with his gift we actually become citizens of heaven with the right to approach God for ourselves. Remember this “God never changes”, so when we approach him in the most holy place we must do so with faith, fear and reverence. The disciples asked Jesus how to pray. Jesus replied; “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. 6But 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.” What we generally refer to as the ”Lord's Prayer” is a model and not a mantra that needs to be chanted over and over. Actually your prayer closet can be anywhere you can be alone with God. Remember this doesn't preclude joining public prayer for the needs of the church or others in need. Praise and Prayer Effective Prayer “13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore,confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours; yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.” James 5:13-18 The Holy Bible: HCSB Let's look at Elijah and how he prayed for rain to be restored to the land. This seems fair considering he had successfully prayed for the three and a half year drought that gripped the land: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours; yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land.” James 5:17.The Holy Bible: HCSB. This is what the bible said about how Elijah asked God to end the drought “41 Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a rainstorm.” 42 So Ahab went to eat and drink, but Elijah went up to the summit of Carmel. He bowed down on the ground and put his face between his knees. 43 Then he said to his servant, “Go up and look toward the sea.” So he went up, looked, and said, “There’s nothing.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” 44 On the seventh time, he reported, “There’s a cloud as small as a man’s hand coming from the sea.” Then Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Get your chariot ready and go down so the rain doesn’t stop you.’” 45 In a little while, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a downpour. So Ahab got in his chariot and went to Jezreel. 46 The power of the LORD was on Elijah, and he tucked his mantle under his belt and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” - The Holy Bible: HCSB Digital Text Edition When you pray do so with faith; “40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up! ” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed on many days in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner.” - B&H Publishing Group (2010-10-01). The Holy Bible: HCSB Digital Text Edition (Kindle Locations 54142-54146). Holman Reference. Kindle Edition. If you need the kind of faith Peter had when prayed that prayer you can have it. God in his Holy Word tells us how to build our faith; “17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” - Romans 10:17 English Standard Version Now I think that is an great way to build your faith so we can have effective prayer. This is only the beginning; “18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” - Romans 10:18 English Standard Version God Bless You, Brother Mike http://www.admenu.com Http://admenu.wordpress.com