Prayers

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Let's first go back to the basics. Why do you pray, and how often do you pray? The term “say a prayer” or “say your prayers” sounds mechanical, meaningless, memorized, minuscule and religious. What is “a” prayer? What is “your” prayers? I’ve used this phrase often myself. But one day, it just didn’t sound right [to me] anymore.

It’s amazing that many professed Christians don’t understand that prayer is intimate communion with God. It is a time when God draws you by His Spirit, to talk to Him and listen as He talks to you. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

Prayer is how you get to know God, as you meditate on His Word. It’s a way of life - a relationship. There is no form or fashion. The only posture you need is humility. God knows you intricately. He created you, remember? So there’s no pretense. All you have to do is be yourself. He knows your heart and all your parts. And guess what. He loves you unconditionally anyway. Because He loves you so much, He wants to reveal Himself to you. He wants you to have your very own personal experience(s) with Him, not only in your prayer life, but more importantly, in your obedience.

Fellas, I’m not picking on you, but ponder this if you will. When you meet a young lady that you find yourself attracted to, naturally you want to get to know her. The only way to do that is to spend time with her. You talk to her, and ask her questions about herself. The more you talk, the more you learn and the more your relationship develops. You begin to pick up on her ways, her style, her personality, her likes and dislikes, her hopes and dreams. That is, if you are really interested in her as a person. You begin to get more comfortable with her and a level of trust and commitment is established (if you’re not scared). (smile)

I questioned a gentleman once, about his prayer life. He said he is a Christian, but he doesn’t pray much. When asked why, his answer astounded me and I wondered how many other Christians felt this way. He earnestly believes that it’s selfish to pray. I thought, this man is crazy! But after digging deeper, I learned that his prayers are nothing more than requests to God. He has an obviously distorted view of what prayer is all about. He can’t fathom that the God of all creation – the God of the Bible - cares enough about him to engage in conversation with no special agenda, or to do list. Is this how you feel? God’s Word says we are to cast all of our cares upon Him because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)

Listen my brothers and sisters in Christ, God desires all the time in the world and eternity with you. He never sleeps nor slumbers. Can you believe that with me?

Unfortunately, this gentleman I speak of, is a physically puny and sickly man. He doesn’t know, and won’t concede that he does not have to be relegated to this inherited illness. He is in bondage because he chooses to lay claim on that which was never intended for him. If only he knew the power of God that lies dormant on the inside of him. If only he would accept that every thing that has a name must bow to that (emphasis added) Name - Jesus. That includes cancer, kidney disease, drug and alcohol addiction. If it has a name, it must bow. If only he would pray and believe God. If only……
God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people (Psalm 35:27). Prosperity is not just about money. He wants us to be prosperous in health, time, wisdom, joy, peace, raising our children, etc etc etc.

My Pastor taught us that true prosperity is having all you need to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. “All I need?” you may ask. How can you, for example, fulfill God’s purpose if you are in bondage to sickness and disease? The Bible declares in Psalm 103:3 that God heals all diseases”. Disease exists in this world, and yes we are plagued with sickness from time to time – but, who said we had to be enslaved to it? If you believe this, you do err because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God. Consider for a moment that God is glorified when you, who was once sick and lost, are now supernaturally healed, delivered and set free. I dare you to get into His Presence today.

The Bible tells us to seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these (other) things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). We must seek out God in prayer and in His Word. He said men ought to always pray and faint not. (Luke 18:1) Somewhere in life, we picked up the idea that prayer is always kneeling beside our bed at night before we go to sleep. Shucks! By the end of a long day, I’m wiped out and I can’t possibly give God my best. He deserves more than that. He wakes us up, clothes us in our right minds, allows us to get to work safely, and protects us from evil. We can’t even begin to imagine all the fiery darts Satan throws at us during the course of a day, let alone over the course of a lifetime. Neither can we imagine all that God has aimed at us to bless our lives. He is faithful, and attentive to our prayers all day long. However, if we regard iniquity in our hearts, he won’t hear us unless we’re asking forgiveness. Then, His grace and mercy abounds. Wow! He truly covers our mess, doesn’t He?

Will you abide in Him? Come on. Let him minister to you in prayer. His precious Spirit awaits a personal invitation. He’s a gentleman, and he wants to lovingly help you, comfort, and keep you.

Prayer is not always laborious, though sometimes it can be – and, it needs to be. But often times, it’s just saying “thank you Jesus” as you narrowly escaped that head on collision, “praise the Lord!” when you get that promotion, “hallelujah anyhow” when you’re lying sick on your bed, and even “bless your Name Lord” just because. Then there are more intimate times of getting completely alone with God, undistracted and undisturbed. These are moments set aside purposely to meet with God in prayer. Jesus did it in the early mornings before the sun rose. Truly, it will make your day.

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