Prayer

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Happy Praying!)

In the key verses for this year (Ezek. 37: 38, 39), there are 3 parts- Prayer, Promise and People (3 P’s); these are intertwined- connected, with one another. In prayer, we claim God’s promises concerning His people. It is my prayer today, that we will appropriate God’s word into our own lives as meditate on the aspect of prayer.

We may think we know a lot about prayer, and to some extent it may be true. If we look into God’s word, there are about 301 references to prayer-that is quite a lot to learn from. If we focus only on the New Testament, we have 141 verses connected with prayer, and we can talk about it all day. But today, let me summarize a few verses from the New Testament on prayer. I just want to make some key points that we can practice in our prayer life.

1 Peter 3:12 says: For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers;…

Your prayer-and mine, gets God’s attention! God loves to hear from you! In the book of Revelation, we find that the prayers of the saints ascend like incense in God’s presence and before the throne of the Lord Almighty (Rev. 5:8). Imagine what a privilege we have as saints-although we are not yet there in heaven, our prayers are! Therefore we ought to pray-to a God who answers the prayers of His people. 

Hindrances to Prayer

Since prayer is part and parcel (if I may use the cliché) of the saints in Christ, let us also know about the hindrances to a prayer filled life.

Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone…”

You see, prayer reaffirms our relationship with God the Father. As we submit our petitions concerning what affects us in our lives, we must also know of what affects Him-a heart of unforgiveness. Whatever you may have against anybody, forgive…before starting you prayer; this is what Jesus teaches you and me-forgive...

Psalms 66:18 says: If I regard {iniquity | wickedness} in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

God is full of goodness; in Him there is no shadow of turning… and His face is turned against the wicked. Man sees the face, but God searches out the deep secrets of the heart. Prayer is not an optional (or routine) lip-service to God, it is the essence of a relationship when one speaks and the Lord hears. But if you regard evil in your heart, you snap out of a conversation. How can you fool God?

Essence of Prayer

Colossians 4:2 says: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

If we are to be called as men and women of prayer, here is the essence-put in some earnestness, be vigilant and be thankful and continue in prayer. Devote yourself to prayer! Laugh with Him, cry on His shoulders, plead with Him, but listen to Him, too! Prayer is not a one-way communication; as we come with a thankful heart, we sense His presence, and hear what He has to say to us. Oh yes, He loves us.

Individual Prayer

Luke 5:16 says about Jesus: So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

What better example than Jesus… Jesus had His disciples with Him most of the time; and there were still many who followed Him from place to place-wanting His healing, hearing His word and receiving His blessings. Yet Jesus found time and a place to have a chat with the Father-one on one.

You too-must find time amidst your busy schedules and away from the noise and the crowd-yes, even close family members and friends, to have a little talk with the Father-alone before His throne.

Intercessory Prayer

In Luke 22:32 Jesus said to Peter: “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

This is only one of many such examples in the Bible, where we are called to pray for others. As humans, there is a part of our self that seeks its own gratification, greatness and glory. We can tend to become selfish and self-centered in our prayers, too! Oh yes, in our distress we run to Him; but how is that we are rather lukewarm in our responses when others-maybe in the body of Christ (church), are going through tough times? Why do you feel that you need not be too concerned, because anyway it is their life and their faith?

1 Thessalonians 5:25 says: Brethren, pray for us.

Here Paul is exhorting the church at Thessaloniki, to pray for him and his companions in the preaching of the gospel of Christ. It is a young church with doubts and questions; Paul takes time to clarify their misunderstandings and yet concludes the letter with a request for prayer. Therefore, I ask you to pray for your pastor; the spiritual leader God has set for you, that God will protect and preserve their lives and that the gospel they preach will reach forth and grasp the hearts of many. "Lord, keep them from the evil one."

Collective Prayer

1 Tim. 2:8 says: I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

In Matt. 18: 19 Jesus says: “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

There is room for collective prayer, whether in the church or at home – lift up holy hands and agree concerning anything; do not doubt and it will be done. In marriage and at home, we have an opportunity to pray with our spouses – just the two of you can agree together and it will be done. A couple that prays together, stays together. 1 Peter 3:7 talks about the husband giving honor to the wife and dwelling together with understanding, that their prayers may not be hindered. A blessed life together is within your reach… as you continue in prayer.

If you do not know how to pray, you can start off with the prayer our Lord Jesus taught us in Matt. 6:9-13.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

As we read about the prayers of the saints in the Bible, we know that we too can pray and receive the His answers in our day to day life.

• Pray that you may receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15).
• When you speak in tongues, pray, that you may also interpret (1 Cor. 14:13).
• Pray in the Spirit and build yourself up on your most holy faith (Jude 1:20).
• Pray in the Spirit and pray with understanding (1 Cor. 14:14, 15).
• Pray and believe that you have received it (Matt. 21:22).
• Pray in accordance to the faith God has given you (Mark 11:24).
• Pray for God’s guidance and to know His will (Romans 1:10)
• Pray in times of trouble that we may not enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41)
• Pray for the suffering and the sick (James 5:13, 14)
• Pray for those who spitefully use you (Luke 6:28)
• Pray without anxiety for everything and anything (Phi. 4:6)

Remember the verses in James about Elijah? One person prayed an earnest prayer, and the rain stopped for 3½ years! He prayed again and it rained. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? Is His hand shortened that it cannot save? God is there with us; He is for us. Remember Elijah- he was in need of protection and provision, and God gave that to Elijah miraculously. 

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior still our refuge…take it to the Lord in prayer. Yes, take it to the Lord in prayer! In Jesus is our answer where human solutions cease or do not exist! What is impossible with man is possible with God.

In Jesus are our prayers Yes and Amen!