PRAYER

I want to share with you some thoughts about prayer.

Prayer, speaking to God, is such an important part of my life, and of each moment of my day. I start each day thanking God for that day and everything He has given me. I have His assurance that nothing is going to happen to me in the next 24 hours that together we cannot handle. He is my strength. I am His vessel. He gives me wisdom and direction.

Prayer is communication with God through conversation; a dialogue, not a monologue.

I frequently lift up a prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving; sometimes in thought, sometimes spoken out loud in words, and sometimes in song.
Worship and Praise are the purest form of prayer.
Psalm 29:2 says; “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

I pray daily for myself, Richard, my children (Erica, Trevor, Christa, and Kris), my grandsons (Trevor and Hunter), our sisters and their families (including all of our nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews), and friends. I name them and pray that God would bless them and bring each one into the peace of having a personal relationship with our Lord. I bring the specific individual needs, which I am aware of, to God in prayer asking for His help, healing, and direction in their lives.

I know He hears me and He is with those whom I love even when I cannot be physically with or near to them. This is such a comfort to me. I don’t feel helpless when I can put them in God’s hands and I know that He is working in their lives.

I know that I can speak to God anytime, anywhere, and in any situation. I am never alone. He is always with me as He has promised in His Word.

When we Pray we should:

1-Start with Songs or words of Praise, Worship, and Thanksgiving
2-Be Specific
3-Be Sensitive to God’s direction and His will for your life
4-Be Serious – Know that God hears and will answer
5-Be Submissive – Submit to God’s will, not to your own selfishness
6-Be Still – Set aside a quiet time to talk with God
7-Be Scriptural – Know the Word and pray back, repeating, Scripture Promises to Him
8-Be Sure - Believe
9-Be Steady- Consistent; pray without ceasing
10-Be Silent – Listen for His answers

Pray Believing
Pray Expectantly
Pray Boldly

Be honest, direct, repent, and seek God’s presence.
Come to Him with a Thankful Heart in Worship and Praise
Petition your needs. Know the difference between needs and wants. God will not answer selfish, self-serving prayer. God delights in your conversation with Him. You are pleasing to Him and you give Him joy when you believe and are in communion and fellowship with Him.

God encourages us to:

Know Scripture-Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart…”
Pray Scripture back to God- Remind Him of His Promises

Ask- Matthew 18: 19 “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they Ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven”

Believe-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”
Thank Him and visualize the answered prayer while praying because you believe it will happen. You can take God at His Word!

Receive- Matthew 21:22 “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive”

Trust Him to answer our Prayers- Matthew 7: 11 He will answer with what Heknows is best for our lives. “If you…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

Persevere and Thank Him for the Victory which is expected.
There is Power in Prayer- James 5: 13-18

Prayer releases God’s power in our lives
Prayer can be limited by our prayer life

God wants us to Praise Him, Petition Him, Remind Him of His promises, and Receive His power. As a result, He will give us, as believers, the desires of our hearts through answered prayer.