Prayer - Communicating With God

Upon becoming a Christian, prayer becomes integrated into every aspect of your life.  It is no longer something you just do before you eat, just when the family is gathered together on holidays, or just during hard or difficult times.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT)

Prayer is communicating with God – we humbly communicate, worship and sincerely seek God, knowing that he hears us, loves us and will respond.  Prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our lives.  It demonstrates our reliance on God our Father as we humbly invite Him to fill us with faith and power.  There is no substitute for prayer.  Prayer helps us grow closer and more intimately connected with God.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

Prayer allows us to praise the Lord and worship Him.  It allows us to thank him for the blessings He has given us.  It allows us to confess our sins and repent.  It allows us opportunity to present our requests to God.  He loves us, cares for us, and wants to commune with us through prayer.

“The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 NLT)

“14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” (1 John 5:14-15 NLT)

“Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love.  Because of your great mercy  wipe away my sins!  2 Wash away all my evil and make me clean from my sin!” (Psalm 51:1-2 NLT)

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NLT)

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT)

Pray humbly from your heart.  Pray with confidence.  Pray with sincerity.  Pray with selfless intent.  Pray with reverence.  Pray with an attitude of thanksgiving.  Pray with a forgiving spirit.  Pray with perseverance.  Pray freely and spontaneously.  Pray in your own words; your prayers don’t have to be wordy or eloquent.  You can pray on your knees, on your feet, bowing, with your face toward the heavens, with your eyes opened or closed.  You can pray quietly or out loud.  Just pray!

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” (Colossians 4:2 NLT)

We can pray anywhere and anytime.  Prayer is always available to us. 

“Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.” (Psalm 55:17 NLT)

“Never stop praying.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT)

As there are so many aspects to prayer, I will be doing multiple posts regarding it.  Look for more posts coming soon on the topic of prayer.