Prayer is one of our greatest privileges. Yet, if you are like me; sometimes, I wonder how to pray more fervently. Particularly, I have heard of great men or women of prayer, such as Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Charles Stanley, or Mary Winslow. It is said that they could be found lying or kneeling for hours on end in prayer before God. I loved “The War Room”, wishing I could pray as Miss Clara did. All too often, my mind becomes unfocused. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:23-24). But what am I to ask for? God knows what I need. Furthermore, He knows better than I.
Ah, but my dear Savior knew that there would be questions within my heart at times. So, He gave me a guide to help when I don’t know what to pray for. The Lord’s Prayer is that, a guide. Not merely words to be vainly repeated; but, a guide to prayer. It is for that reason, I want us to delve more deeply into those words over the course of the next few weeks. There may be days when the best I can pray is, “Help me to understand Lord. Show me Your will. Forgive me, Lord.” Or even, “Father I need you now.” Ah, but we can be reassured, that if we take the time to sit with Him, He hears even the silent cries of our heart.
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
A Guide to Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13)
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Learning to be a Prayer Warrior
So, come and join me as we learn how to be prayer warriors that can impact this world for Christ.
“Lord, help us to understand how to be effective prayer warriors for you. Guide us in Your way. Thank you for always being so near, so present that even when I sit quietly before Your throne, you hear me. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.”
My son asked me to come to live with him. One thing he said, rings true here as well. “Mom, with all we have lived through, I feel I haven’t had the chance to get to really know you. I want that chance. Even, if we sit silently doing our own things.” How appropriately does that fit in our relationship with God. Perhaps, prayer is not always talking; but, rather just sitting quietly in His presence desiring to know Him is also prayer.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here
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Previous Posts on Prayer
Prayer Poems
A Prayer of Healing for Our Land
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.