Power of Prayer

Power of Prayer

 

We were privileged to have Laurie as a guest teacher at our Bible Study.  I took notes and present an edited lesson she taught at Open Door Church. 

Prayer produces energy, and even our thoughts are powerful.  Jesus was full of compassion as He ministered, and compassion also generates miracles.  When our praying is full of compassion, and heartfelt, we can expect the impossible to happen. 

United Prayer:

Prayer reaches out and touches our friends and families, as we touch our Father God.

A Prayer of agreement is a spiritual blending of our souls with God, his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Praise and worship: Our prayers glorify God, as we find in Psalms 62:1-2  “My soul glorifies God and He is my rock and my salvation.

 

We read the entire 45^th Psalm for it is a hymn of praise.

Prayer can be Meditation, as we enter into the throne room and quietly rest in His presence.  We wait and think about God and his Mercy and Grace; then we wait for His response.

Memorized Prayers

As we begin to learn how to pray, we may start by reading a prayer from a prayer book, or reciting a pray we have committed to memory.  Children love the night time prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep.”

How do we pray?  Some pray differently than others.  We should pray as you would talk to a friend.

Jesus taught us an example how to pray in Matthew 6:7-15

1.     Address God as our Father

2.     Realize He is in heaven

3.     Praise Him for He is Holy

4.     Know His kingdom is coming to earth

5.     His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  (Let God be God and abide in Him)

6.     Request for your daily food and needs

7.     Repent: Ask forgiveness as we search our hearts for hidden sin.

8.     Be willing to forgive those who sin against us.

9.     Prevent us from falling into temptation.

10. Listen to God’s guidance and protection,

11. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the glory for ever.

Notice this prayer begins and ends with Praise to God Almighty.

Many scriptures can assist us in our prayers: 

1.     Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious but trust,

2.     Matthew 6:6 Enter into your closet (find a quiet place to pray.) 

3.     Luke 11:9  Ask, Seek, Knock.

4.     James 5:16  Confess your faults to one another and pray for each other.

5.     I Timothy 2:8 Pray everywhere and don’t be ashamed to lift your hands.

We don’t always understand the Ways of God.  He is kind and loving, but He can also be angry with the wicked. 

All of us have issues in our life.  Some think it is God sending trouble our way.  We think God has forsaken us and turned him back, because we find our self in a dark place and it seems there is no way out.  It is important for our attitude be one to never give up HOPE.

What does God need to do to get across to us that He is in control, and His will is being done.  God does remove some people from our lives, and brings others in.

Jesus had a life of prayer.  He often found a desert place, a mountain, or a garden in which to pray.  Prior to the cross He prayed in great agony that this cup would be taken from him, but he cried, “Not my will but thine be done.”

Let us take the example of Jesus and pray often.  Find a quiet place and practice praise, request, repentance, and assurance that He is in control.