About Prayer

WHY PRAY?

Jim Rohn once said:…

“Don’t wish it was easier wish you were better.
Don’t wish for less problems wish for more skills.
Don’t wish for less challenge wish for more wisdom”.

No doubt these words have inspired many people over the years. I’d like to replace the word ‘wish’ with ‘pray’ and to add a few more that’s kept me going over the years.

~ Don’t wish it was easier Pray to be Better
~ Don’t wish for less problems Pray for more Skills
~ Don’t wish for less challenge Pray for more Wisdom
~ Don’t wish for less battles Pray for more Strength
~ Don’t wish for less self-doubt Pray for Confidence
~ Don’t wish for less sickness or pain Pray for Healing
~ Don’t wish for less difficulties Pray for Perseverance
~ Don’t wish for less unbelief Pray for more Faith
~ Don’t wish for less tears Pray for more Joy
~ Don’t wish for less hatred Pray for more Love
~ Don’t wish for less burden Pray for more Happiness

God is not in the business of granting wishes; He wants a relationship with you. Praying to God will help you to develop a great relationship with Him…

HOW TO PRAY

As followers of Christ we understand that Praying is our access to God.

Jesus taught His disciples to Pray by example. He prayed constantly. He prayed:

~ before eating (The Lord’s Supper)
~ before healing the sick
~ before preaching
~ before raising Lazarus
~ before His captivity at the garden of Gethsemane
~ before dying on the cross

The Bible tells us to Pray always without stopping. A wise old lady once told me, pray about everything, God is always listening.

Romans 1:9 – Paul said “God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night, I bring you and your needs in prayer to God…” Our Pastor encourages us to make Praying a priority in our lives.

The Lord’s Prayer IS our ultimate example of Prayer; Luke 11:1-4NKV

Praise
“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed (holy) be Your name.” Open with praise to God! No matter who we are or how old we are God is our Father; Acknowledge Him as our Lord and saviour, for His sovereignty. We honour God by doing His will. Sing your Praises to Him for the great and marvellous things He has done.

Provision
“Give us this day our daily bread.” God cares about our everything (family, work, life decisions) small things and big things. God wants to provide for us. Give Him the chance. He is indeed ‘all things to all men’ if only we would acknowledge Him.

Forgiveness
“And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” We need to forgive others before we can expect forgiveness from God. Jesus tells us to act in this way to release God’s grace daily in our lives.

Guidance & Protection
“And do not lead us into temptation. But deliver us from the evil one.” We are tempted and will continue to face temptation but when we pray, we receive God’s grace to overcome temptation.

Ask Believing
Luke 11:9-10 NKJV
“So, I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking. How do you do that? By Praying to God every day. Ensure you have your lines of communication open with God so you’re talking to Him every day. Always giving Him thanks and praise.

Simple Prayers from the faithful are answered by a big God and used to cause big change.

And Finally
David said in Psalms 120:1 NTL

“I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to Him, and He answered my Prayer.”

By: Patricia Jarrett