Prayer is communicating with your Heavenly Father. As you know, communication is essential for a successful relationship. If you want to be successful in your walk with God, you need to communicate with Him. We know that He is near and always accessible to us by His Word.
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: ( Acts 17:27 )
Prayer is two-way communication between man and God.The Lord will speak back to you in one of three ways:
Through a "still small voice"
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. ( Isaiah 30:21 )
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
( 1 Kings 19:12 )
Through reading His Word -
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 )
Through the anointed preaching of a minister -
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ( 2 Timothy 4:2 )
- We Have An Invitation To Approach GOD In Prayer -
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. ( James 4:2 )
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ( Luke 11:9-10 )
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
( John 16:24 )
- If We Ask In The Right Manner,We Will Receive -
We must pray with the right attitude -
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. ( Matthew 15:8 )
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ( James 4:6 )
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ( Luke 18:10-15 )
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
( Psalm 145:18-19 )
We must pray with our whole heart -
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. ( Jeremiah 29:13 )
We must pray with Faith -
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ( Mark 11:24 )
Prayers from the righteous are powerful -
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ( James 5:16 )
Obedience to God causes us to receive answers to our prayers -
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. ( 1 John 3:22 )
Prayer must be according to God's will -
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ( 1 John 5:14 )
Prayer is effective if we stay close to Christ and His Word -
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
( John 15:7 )
- Hindrances That Keep Prayers From Being Answered -
Prayers will not be answered .....
If we hide secret sins in our hearts -
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: ( Psalm 66:18 )
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. ( Isaiah 59:2 )
If we are indifferent to God -
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: ( Proverbs 1:29 )
If we despise God's law -
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
( Proverbs 28:9 )
If we neglect mercy -
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
( Proverbs 21:13 )
If we are not stable -
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. ( James 1:6-7 )
If we have wrong motives -
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. ( James 4:3 )
If it is not the will of God for our lives -
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ( 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 )
If we have an improper relationship with our spouse -
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
( 1 Peter 3:7 )
If we do not Forgive -
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
( Mark 11:25-26 )
- Keys To Successful Prayer -
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. ( John 14:14 )
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 )
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? ( Luke 18:1-8 )
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
( Genesis 32:26 )
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ( Matthew 6:9-13 )
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. ( Matthew 18:19 )
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ( Acts 2:1-4 )
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. ( Acts 12:12 )
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
( Ephesians 5:20 )
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ( Hebrews 4:16 )
- Prayer Is The Means God Uses To Provide Our Needs -
The Bible tells us to pray specifically for -
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-2 )
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ( Matthew 5:44 )
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. ( Luke 10:2 )
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ( James 1:5 )
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
( Matthew 26:41 )
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ( James 5:16 )
- Praying With The Spirit -
When we pray with the Spirit ( praying in tongues ), our Spirit is speaking mysteries unto God.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. ( 1 Corinthians 14:2 )
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. ( 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 )
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ( Romans 8:26 )
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
( Jude 1:20 )
- Prayer Is The Infallible Mark Of A Christian -
To be a Christian is to be Christ-like. To be a man/woman of prayer is to be like Christ.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. ( Mark 1:35 )
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. ( Luke 6:12 )
Pray without ceasing. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 )
- Where To Pray -
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
( Matthew 6:6 )
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. ( Luke 1:10 )
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ( Acts 2:1 )
We must have a consistent prayer life and keep the channel of communication open to him. By praying,we maintain our spiritual well-being and a close relationship with God. since prayer is such a powerful tool of the Christian, we should not permit it to be crowded out of our busy schedule and thus be neglected.As you spend more time communicating with your Father, you will truly get to know Him better and understand His will , His ways , and His plans for your life.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. ( Psalm 5:3 )
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: ( Acts 17:27 )
Prayer is two-way communication between man and God.The Lord will speak back to you in one of three ways:
Through a "still small voice"
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. ( Isaiah 30:21 )
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
( 1 Kings 19:12 )
Through reading His Word -
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 )
Through the anointed preaching of a minister -
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ( 2 Timothy 4:2 )
- We Have An Invitation To Approach GOD In Prayer -
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. ( James 4:2 )
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ( Luke 11:9-10 )
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
( John 16:24 )
- If We Ask In The Right Manner,We Will Receive -
We must pray with the right attitude -
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. ( Matthew 15:8 )
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ( James 4:6 )
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ( Luke 18:10-15 )
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
( Psalm 145:18-19 )
We must pray with our whole heart -
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. ( Jeremiah 29:13 )
We must pray with Faith -
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ( Mark 11:24 )
Prayers from the righteous are powerful -
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ( James 5:16 )
Obedience to God causes us to receive answers to our prayers -
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. ( 1 John 3:22 )
Prayer must be according to God's will -
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ( 1 John 5:14 )
Prayer is effective if we stay close to Christ and His Word -
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
( John 15:7 )
- Hindrances That Keep Prayers From Being Answered -
Prayers will not be answered .....
If we hide secret sins in our hearts -
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: ( Psalm 66:18 )
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. ( Isaiah 59:2 )
If we are indifferent to God -
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: ( Proverbs 1:29 )
If we despise God's law -
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
( Proverbs 28:9 )
If we neglect mercy -
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
( Proverbs 21:13 )
If we are not stable -
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. ( James 1:6-7 )
If we have wrong motives -
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. ( James 4:3 )
If it is not the will of God for our lives -
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ( 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 )
If we have an improper relationship with our spouse -
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
( 1 Peter 3:7 )
If we do not Forgive -
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
( Mark 11:25-26 )
- Keys To Successful Prayer -
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. ( John 14:14 )
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 )
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? ( Luke 18:1-8 )
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
( Genesis 32:26 )
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ( Matthew 6:9-13 )
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. ( Matthew 18:19 )
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ( Acts 2:1-4 )
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. ( Acts 12:12 )
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
( Ephesians 5:20 )
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ( Hebrews 4:16 )
- Prayer Is The Means God Uses To Provide Our Needs -
The Bible tells us to pray specifically for -
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-2 )
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ( Matthew 5:44 )
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. ( Luke 10:2 )
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ( James 1:5 )
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
( Matthew 26:41 )
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ( James 5:16 )
- Praying With The Spirit -
When we pray with the Spirit ( praying in tongues ), our Spirit is speaking mysteries unto God.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. ( 1 Corinthians 14:2 )
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. ( 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 )
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ( Romans 8:26 )
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
( Jude 1:20 )
- Prayer Is The Infallible Mark Of A Christian -
To be a Christian is to be Christ-like. To be a man/woman of prayer is to be like Christ.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. ( Mark 1:35 )
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. ( Luke 6:12 )
Pray without ceasing. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 )
- Where To Pray -
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
( Matthew 6:6 )
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. ( Luke 1:10 )
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ( Acts 2:1 )
We must have a consistent prayer life and keep the channel of communication open to him. By praying,we maintain our spiritual well-being and a close relationship with God. since prayer is such a powerful tool of the Christian, we should not permit it to be crowded out of our busy schedule and thus be neglected.As you spend more time communicating with your Father, you will truly get to know Him better and understand His will , His ways , and His plans for your life.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. ( Psalm 5:3 )
