Wednesday, May 29, 2013

"PRAYERTIME"

Have you ever thought about Prayer?  Have you thought about the importance of Prayer?  I have had many people approach me and ask me to pray for them.  Of course, I do because I totally believe in intercessory prayer.  I know it makes a difference in people's lives.  

I can't stress enough though how important it is to pray for yourself as well.  I have been asked by some "why do we have to pray, God knows what we need.  My reply is yes, He knows, but He wants us to Humble ourselves toward Him.  By our action of asking Him for what we need, we are doing several things.  We are first telling Him we KNOW where our help comes from.  It lets Him know that we realize that we can do Nothing for ourselves, that we NEED His guidance.  

In His Word, it says "We have not because we Ask Not".  How much plainer can it be?  Prayer should be more than just a list of "I wants".  This is a chance to commune with God, one on one. Just as we enjoy recognition and praise for what we do, God deserves the same consideration.  This being said, I have some more advice.  When we pray, we should NEVER just go right into "I need" or "Give me".    The Bible tells us to Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving and into His Courts with Praise.  

Jesus gives us a wonderful EXAMPLE of How to pray.  Matthew 6:9-13 gives us the Lord's Prayer:

1.  Our Father, which art in Heaven Hallowed be Thy Name   We begin our prayer with Praise and Sovereignty.   

2.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  This shows submission to Him, as well as an invitation.  We will submit ALL of this to Him as an act of obedience.  
        
3.  Give us this day our daily bread.   This statement is our Petition and Praviation

4And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Confession and forgiveness,  forgive me in the same measure. 

5.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.    Spiritual protection

6.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Praise and Agreement

 Amen - So be it.  I give you permission and agree with your ways.

 This prayer is a "pattern" as to what and how we should pray. 

 Good Night to All and May God Bless.
 




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2 comments:

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear PJ
I don't know how true this is but we blokes tend to find prayer difficult, as we tend to be very independant and out breadwinning to support ourselves and our families.
But yes, you are right. God does want to have a relationship with us, to adore him for who he is and to depend on him for his goodness, which is ready and willing to give us.
A very good post.

Rob Barkman said...

PJ,

you are so right about why we pray... " My reply is yes, He knows, but He wants us to Humble ourselves toward Him." How true that is! Prayer makes us realize our dependence on the Lord and our great need of Him.

Prayer doesn't change God's mind.... but it can certainly change us and our relationship with Him!

Lord bless you. Praying for you.