PRAYER
What is prayer
When you read the Bible, Christ speaks to
you.
When you pray, you speak to him.
The Christian life is a two-sided friendship.
Prayer is speaking to Jesus Christ about
anything, anywhere.
Prayer is your life-line. A diver cannot
live without a life-line through which air comes. Prayer is to Christians
what breathing is to the human body.
Prayer is your direct link with headquarters.
When the walkie-talkie set is switched on, every word is heard by headquarters
who keep a constant listening watch. Prayer links you directly with your
leader - Jesus Christ.
Advice, help and guidance are constantly
available to you.
Why pray ?
Many people cannot see the point of praying.
They say that God knows everything and will work whether they pray or not.
We have seen already that by praying we deepen our friendship with Christ.
Apart from this a Christian should pray because:
-- Jesus prayed. If He needed to
pray, how much more do you, His follower.
-- Jesus tells you to pray. As
His soldier your aim is to obey Him.
-- Jesus promises to answer prayer.
Every
prayer will be answered. Sometimes however, His answer will be NO or WAIT.
-- It is a sin not to pray. Look
up 1 Samuel 12.23.
How to pray
Prayer should follow on naturally from your
reading of the Bible.
The early morning is by far the best time
for this. Begin the day with your Friend and master before all the rush
of the day is upon you.
Try to find a quiet place -- maybe your
bedroom, or a front room, or even the kitchen in winter. Try to be alone
if at all possible.
The Devil will do everything to stop you
praying. Someone will call or the baby will start to yell. Whatever happens
be determined to guard jealously your quiet time with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Before you begin to pray, remember quietly
to whom you are coming.
Prayer can take different forms. here
is one:
-- Confess your sins. Man always
comes to God as a sinner needing forgiveness. Ask Him to show you your
sins and failings. Ask Him to forgive you and to help you conquer them
in the future.
-- Thank Him. Quietly stop and
think of all that you have to thank Him for; the Lord jesus, the cross,
the Bible, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Christian friends, your health,
your family, answered prayer.
-- Pray for others. Get a small
notebook and make a list of people to pray for: your family, friends, leaders
in the State, leaders in your church, missionaries. Pray for a few each
day. Be definite in your praying, and don't just make vague requests for
God's blessings. As you pray, use your imagination.
-- Pray for yourself. Pray about
every aspect of your life: the day ahead, any problems, duties, or fears,
your witness at home and at work, God's Will for your future.
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