Prayerful Life!

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark:1:35

The greatest example JESUS set is a life of Prayer. Being GOD Himself, HE taught us the crucial importance of Prayer. Throughout HIS ministry we read that JESUS went to a solitary place to pray.

Prayer leads to intimacy with GOD, it is nothing but talking or pouring out your heart to GOD. Many are still in the notion that prayer means a specific time, a specific pattern and specific words. That’s not the truth, prayer is talking to GOD anywhere and at anytime.

Prayer doesn’t have to have a format, nobody gives you lessons to talk to your own dad. It is the same with prayer. You can just talk to HIM. Talk to HIM as to who HE is and what HE has done and whats in your heart.

All that GOD desires is a honest heart and not made up words.

Lets see some of the scriptures that JESUS taught us about Prayer,

1. Humility in Prayer-

⁹ Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ ¹³ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”Luke:18:9-14

2. Private prayers-

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.Mt:6:6

3. Without repetitions-

⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Mt:6:7,8

4. Model Prayer-

⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

5. Forgiveness is mandatory-

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mt:6:14,15

6. Don’t Stop-

Pray without ceasing. I Thess :5:17

Above all JESUS prayed every time and everywhere, before HE started HIS day, late at night, for water to be changed to wine, for the sick, the dead or possessed, before eating, for the storm, for the children, for HIS disciples, for those who crucified HIM and for the entire mankind.

And before HE was crucified, HE prayed for Peter who denied HIM, HE prayed for strength before HIS agony, HE prayed for forgiveness, HE prayed for help, in fact HE never stopped praying.

Nobody else in the Bible has ever emphasised on prayer than JESUS, who is GOD Himself. The very key to GOD in our lives is prayer and communion with HIM.

Many of us when faced with trials and temptations, avoid prayer for so many reasons, but JESUS’s life teaches us that the only life line we can hold onto is Prayer.

Pray when you are happy, blessed, sad, discouraged, depressed, sick, helpless, in loss, faced with tragedy, in the impossible nothing but prayer can revive you and keep you closer to GOD.

The biggest lie of the enemy is to keep you away from prayer especially when you have sinned. We see the example of Judas and Peter’s lives. Judas realised his mistake but never returned to GOD while on the other hand Peter realised his mistake and repented and it changed his life forever.

Specially when you are put in a difficult or helpless situation, the best you can do is run back to GOD in Prayer and seek HIS help and shelter. Never ever underestimate the power of prayer.

A while ago I heard someone speak about the power of prayer, GOD showed that person, that when a believer prays, its as if an atom bomb has gone off, that’s the effect it has on the Spirit world, its shakes the earth. David beautifully describes how GOD reacts to our Prayer in Psalms 18.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+18&version=NKJV

And finally never cease to pray no matter where you are and what you are doing. Keep a constant connection in prayer with GOD.

I wish and pray that you grow into a more closer relationship with GOD through your prayer walk.

Have a prayer filled day!!!