In our daily conversations with people we might; greet someone, purchase some food, or organise something. Heavenly conversation, prayer, likewise has many facets. Just like you would not ask directions from a baby or try and pay your telephone bill to a policeman, there are prayers that are meaningful and there are prayers that are worthless. It is important we do not go off in a dream world in our prayers and that we stay real. Prayer like talking is not something you can be taught. You have to just get on and do it. A little study will help us stay real though. As always the best way is to start by seeing what Jesus had to say about it.
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. ... 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. ... do not use vain repetitions ... In this manner therefore pray:
Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our offences,
as we forgive those who offend us.
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. [Matt 6:5-13]
There are several things of note here. Do not be a hypocrite and pray in public so you get recognition. Pray alone with God. Do not use vain repetitions as in an occult chant. Pray to the Father. You will find praying out loud will be incredibly helpful.
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, ...
[Luk 11:2]
In prayer we centre on three areas God, others and ourselves. We worship God, keep ourselves right before Him, lay our petitions before Him and seek the blessing of others. Prayer contains a mixture of thanksgiving, proclamation, confession and petition.
The best way to develop a pray life is to simply get on with it. An important principle is that you must stay real and talk to God like you would a close friend without putting on any kind of act. Prayer is not a ritual but a relationship. He knows exactly where you are at. The more real and honest you get in prayer the more real will be His answers.
If things are bugging you tell Him about them. It is only as you do this that He puts into your heart what you need to know so you can deal with situations with His wisdom. If you can not talk to God about something, then talk to a mature trustworthy disciple about it as soon as you can, before it drowns you. God wants to be involved in our everyday lives and as we talk to Him we can sense Him moving in us letting us know the best thing to do. If you are not happy and at peace simple ask God why not and deal with the issues He brings into your mind. Humility and honestly greatly helps.
If you fail to push through get the help of a discerning mature disciple of Jesus that you trust to help you through. Remember God will never tell you to do anything that is bad for you. He only asks you to give up things that are hurting you.
And all things whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. [Matt 21:22]
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you. [John 15:7]
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. [1 John 3:22]
Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. [Matt 18:19]
When we do not see the answer to our prayer arrive immediately we can start to doubt that our request has been granted. We must not believe our fears but cast them aside and trust in the word of God. As God can not lie He will respond to our prayers. If we are not persistent in our faith the accuser of the brethren can stop the answer from arriving completely. We must walk by faith.
Fasting is often wrongly thought to make a prayer somehow more powerful. On the cross Jesus overcame all the power of the enemy. The only limit placed on the manifestation of this power is our ability to receive. Fasting should be seen as a symbol of our dedication to be holy and wholly for God. It is a practical aid to help us totally surrender ourselves to the Lord and His gospel. When we are in the right place with God then He can move through us.
You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. [Jas 4:3]
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
[Jas 5:16]
And whenever you stand praying if you have anything against anyone forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
[Mark 11:25]
... love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. [Matt 5:44]
I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.
[1 Tim 2:1-2]
The harvest truly is plentiful but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest. [Matt 9:37-38]
For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered. [Rom 8:26]
Examples of great prayers are found in Eph 1:15-19, 3:14-21 & Col 1:9-11
Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified just as it is with you. [2 Thess 3:1]
In the very first scripture quoted on this page we see Jesus expects us to pray. In the same way He expects us to fast.
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which sees in secret, shall reward thee openly. [Mat 6:16-18]
There is no need to be intimidated by this. Start by missing just one meal, then two, then a whole day. Just drink water. It actually gets easier as your body becomes used to it.
| When You Fast |
Derek Prince - Spiritual Secret Few People Practice YT(55m)
When we know we are in a serious prayer battle over something then a form of intersession can be used where the issue is brought into the Courts of Heaven.
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’
Then the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? [Luk 18:1-8]
| R Henderson |
Video Series on The Courts of Heaven YT(60m)