Spiritual Disciplines 2 : Prayer

Please note that my thoughts on spiritual disciplines are not necessarily in order of priority, otherwise prayer would probably have been on top of the list. Prayer is one of the most important aspects of the Christian life. It underpins everything else that we do. Prayer is practised and encouraged throughout the Old and New Testaments in the Bible.

At the moment I’ve been involved in a churchwide study series entitled “When God’s People Pray” by Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle church in New York City. This is the second time I’ve actually been through the course of study as we also studied the series in a former church, so it’s been great to revisit the concepts and hear some of the testimonies again. I thoroughly recommend the series and the first study is available to view on Youtube.

Prayer is basically talking to God. It’s communion with Him by taking time out to share fellowship with Him. It’s not just coming to God with a list of needs and wants and then ignoring Him otherwise. In the same way that we like to spend time with our family and friends getting to know them in a deep and intimate way, so prayer is fellowship time with God.

Some Christians that I know are so much in fellowship with God that their thoughts throughout their day are directed to Him. They also offer frequent short  prayers for the situations they are in and the people who they encounter. Yet this does not negate the need for a time spent alone in prayer when we focus on God and in stillness and quietness talk to Him alone. When we read the gospels we see that Jesus spent much time taking Himself away to pray to His Father. If the Son of God needed to do that, we certainly need to follow His example.

It’s necessary to approach God in prayer with an attitude of respect for who He is. He is our Heavenly Father who loves us, and he is also our King whom we obey and serve. He is the almighty Creator of the universe, the One with authority over all principalities and powers. He directs us. We do not direct Him.

An important part of our prayer life should then be worship. I make it a practise to begin prayer with acknowledging God for who He is- God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to whom all glory and honour is due. I thank Him for all He has done for us on the cross. It’s only through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that we can approach God directly in prayer. We who are unholy can approach the throne of grace because of  Jesus. We are sanctified through Him. Sometimes it’s hard to grasp just what an awesome privilege and gift that is.

In the same way that we are interested in every aspect of our children’s lives, both good and bad, so God loves to listen to us as we pray about our lives. We can approach Him with thanks for all the blessings that he provides. He loves to be consulted about our decisions and plans. We can bring our problems and worries to Him. He understands our hurts and pain more than the wisest earthly counsellor. There is often a peace that passes all understanding that is given to those who talk things over with God in prayer.

When we struggle with sin, Satan will try to make it difficult for us to pray. We may experience distractions or sleepiness or wandering thoughts. Pray anyway. Keep coming back to God in prayer. Confess your sins to God and ask Him to give you the Holy Spirit as guide and counsellor in your daily walk. Open your Bible and read a favourite passage or psalm aloud as a prayer. Say the Lord’s prayer. God wants us in an attitude of obedience and availability to Him. Recognise that there are sins which will mar the fellowship with God and prevent you from moving into the full life that He has promised and pray through them. Ask for help to overcome them. Ask a friend to pray for you or post a prayer request on an internet prayer site so others can pray for you. Be genuine in prayer. God knows anyway. He just wants to hear it from you.

When we pray, it’s not just about self. Intercessory prayer is a vital part of our ministry as Christians. We can pray for other Christians, our unsaved friends and family, our workmates, neighbours, church, nation and world.  There is no shortage of people and situations to pray for. God will put a burden on your heart for who or what he wants you to direct your intercessory prayers. There are many wonderful testimonies of God’s answering the fervent, constant prayers of faithful intercessors.

I pray that for all who have stopped by to read here, that you will be encouraged to pray to God and seek His will for your life. My He bless you as you pray.

Some bible verses regarding prayer:

The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 6 verses 9-13

 “Our Father in heaven

hallowed be your name

your kingdom come

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.”

(New International Version. )

(The King James Version adds “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen” to the end of verse 13.)

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."  John 14:13

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14”

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:7

 “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34

Revelation tells us that our prayers are treasured by God, that they are received as a precious offering to Him:

“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Revelation 5:8.

Did you know that if you are a Christian there is a verse in the bible where Jesus directly prays for you? John records prayers that Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples and then for

“those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are on. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:20-24