This week we are focusing on the concept of prayer. What is it? How to correctly use it and what to expect from it. Yesterday we began with a definition and centered our discussions around three questions,
Prayer in the Bible is an evolving means of interacting with God, most frequently through a spontaneous, individual, unorganized form of petitioning and/or giving thanks. It is also at times glorifying God through praise.
1. Why should we pray? We should pray because we have needs. Great and small. Prayer should be our first strategy when seeking results.
2. To whom should we pray? God. Simple one word answer for the one undoubtable Source of all goodness, Grace and Mercy.
3. How should we pray? We should pray sincerely, regularly, continually, in humidity, faith, trust, obedience and with gratitude, thanks and praise.
What we pray for and/or should pray for changes continually. That’s why our discussions now will center on How to Develop Your Prayer Life, here on “Becoming Today”.
Practice makes perfect. The old adage holds true especially when considering our daily commitments to ourselves. Just like your workout routine, think of prayer as an added form of exercise, in which the results are guaranteed.
Now for exercise to be effective, we know it has to be done earnestly and regularly. That’s why the first step in developing our prayer life is to continuously engage in it.
Psalm 86:3 tells us “For unto You I cry all day long.” King David, motivated by his great desire and monumental need was motivated to remain focused on his connection through prayer.
The idea of continual prayer was also taught by the Apostle Paul when he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to “pray without ceasing”. Now Paul was not advocating the impossible, he did not mean to infer that prayer should be non-stop, rather it was a message to repeat prayer with regularity and keep coming back to it throughout the day.
As part of our regular practice of prayer, it should be done in gratitude. Always with an attitude of thanksgiving and openly expressing our thanks for the outcome. Not when “it” arrives or when it is proven true, but as we ask for it. Give gratitude as you seek showing confidence in your belief that good shall overcome.
However do not do so pridefully. We should always pray in humility. Ask and gracefully receive.. When we humble ourselves before God we are not only glorifying Him, but also reminding ourselves of how powerful God’s mercy, grace and unconditional love are.
Then you must also pray in faith. As explained in Hebrews 11:1 “… faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”.
That goes hand in hand with trust. Trusting that God will deliver. Deliver on His promises and ceaseless unconditional love.
Therefore we should trust our belief and have faith in God to earnestly discipline ourselves to asking Him to supply our needs in prayer. In requesting this in sincerity with gratitude and humility, faith allows us to perceive the knowledge that our requests or petitions will be heard and that if what we ask for is in accord with the Lord, that His will will be done, delivering us through His promise, grace and mercy.
In developing our lives, we need to remember, be not afraid-pray!
A strong well developed prayer life is truly the foundation for the arrival of nothing less than miracles along our shared paths.
Prayer is the process of “abiding in Him” ( John 15:4-5 ).
When we participate in open, honest, steadfast prayer it is more than talking. It also involves listening. To pray involves listening with our hearts, for in doing so our Spirit is transformed. That is a time of joyous celebration and revelation that we are truly “Becoming”.
“Rejoice in the Lord always…”, the simple phrase in Phillipians not only reassures us, but also directs us to not be anxious, worried or overly concerned about anything, because in every situation by prayer with thanksgiving we can make our requests, cast our cares and / or cry out for help from the Lord.
When we do, the Peace of Christ will be with us, in us and all around us. That strengthens us, secures us, stabilizes our situations and selves, lifting our minds, hearts and spirits. I can’t speak for you, but it not only sounds pretty good to me, it has been amazing in my life.
A prayerful intercession will be healing, calming, strengthening, building, growing and most of all “Becoming”.
I pray that you’ll hear these words with your open, loving heart and accept them as the Truth that they are. As we continue on our combined journeys along this shared path, when next we speak, we’ll begin to discuss the idea of praying for our purpose.
Until then I hope you will surrender yourself in prayer and will always be “Becoming” more connected with God’s L❤ve, Ac✞ion and Pe☮ce in your life.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 