Prayer is communication with /or petition to a greater force than one’s self that is able to bring some level or relief or grant ones request. Prayer, in Christendom involves communicating with God and can include thanksgiving, intercession, supplication, confession just to name a few and should be a way of life for all those who profess a faith in the supernatural God of all creation. ‘Prayer is universal in time, space and in the scope of it’s content and must be built on the foundation of the sovereignty and character of God’.[1] Prayer also invites the one prayed to into what ever situation is present. Just as Dr. O. Hallesby puts it “To pray is to let Jesus come into our hearts.”[2] And I beg to add, in our situations as well; But prayer not only invites the one prayed to into the situation at hand, it also works as an agent of change for the person praying, for it will teach him/her over time that as one prays to God, he must also submit to the will of the one to whom he/she prays as God’s ways are not our ways and his plans for us (most times) are not what we had for ourselves. Jesus highlights an important factor when he was asked by his disciples on how to pray, He began by saying “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be your name, thy Kingdom come; thy will be done as in heaven, so in earth” (Matt 6:9,10). Prayer is a means by which mountains can be moved but not only mountains of sickness and peril, but also mountains of selfishness and pride. Prayer is not only a means of easing burdens but it has proven to add more at times for in praying the continual of spiritual formation, the lord may allow burdens to come your way that will bring you through a process in which you will refine you and make you more of a person pleasing to him. Prayer is not only our way of reaching to God, but it also a means through which he molds us.
[HR][/HR][1] The doctrine of prayer, T.W. Hunt, page 8
[2] Prayer, O. Hallesby, page 11
[HR][/HR][1] The doctrine of prayer, T.W. Hunt, page 8
[2] Prayer, O. Hallesby, page 11