Six Christian Disciplines
Six Christian Disciplines Continued here
Prayer Can Help Ministries
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Prayer in Faith
This is first at the list of the Six Christian Disciplines for many reasons, the most important is the example of Jesus Christ praying
so often. Jesus even took time to instruct his disciples how to pray. Jesus also made us aware that we would be able to pray and
ask anything in His name, and God would provide it. It was also taught by Jesus in the book of Matthew, that if we ask for
something in prayer, and have faith and really believe, we will receive, Matthew 21:21-22 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell
you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain,
‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will
receive it.”
We are also taught in the book of James, that the prayers of the righteous make things happen and there is exponential power in
combination of the disciplines of prayer and fellowship, James 5:13-16 (NLT) 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should
pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to
come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and
the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and
pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces
wonderful results.
We can see that the catalyst or starting point for the activation and completion of prayer is faith in God's ability to deliver on our
requests. That faith comes from knowing God and studying His word another combination of two disciplines, Romans 10:17
(NLT) 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Praying to God without believing that He Can answer is silly, God is the Creator of the universe, nothing is beyond his ability or
touch, He says in the bible, Isaiah 50:2 (AMP) 2 Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, why was there no one to
answer? Is My hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at My rebuke I dry up the
sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink because there is no water, and they die of thirst.
Above God asks, ”is my arm too short”, the answer of course being no, He can and will reach into any situation. Another place in
the bible we learn, what is impossible to man, is easy to God, Matthew 19:26 (NLT) 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said,
“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
God cannot and will not be constrained by our limitations, we are the creatures, He is the Creator. God is able, and no matter what
the enemy tries to say to deny that, don't believe it, Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his
mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
The only other limitation placed on our prayer by God is that it lines up with His heart and we believe when we ask, James 4:3
(NLT) 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
This is reassuring for we do not have to rely on our own abilities, knowledge, limitations, or holiness, because we are going to the
one who is Holy, has all ability, is not limited by time or space, and knows the end from the beginning. We don't have to fear any
man or situation, Psalm 27:1-3 (NLT) 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my
fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and
foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am
attacked, I will remain confident.
Understand this, praying to God thinking he won't answer, is insulting to God. Why would a good and loving God, tell us to pray, and
not answer, James 1:6-8 (NLT) 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with
divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to
receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they
do.
However, the answer may not be one we like, but He always answers. Answers of wait, or not yet, or no, are often met with disdain
and anger or even sadness or denial, Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NLT) 2 Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so
that a runner can carry the correct message to others. 3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be
fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
It is obvious also that loving and caring parents often tell their children these same things, and they are seen as wise and prudent.
Allowing a 13 year old to drive is dangerous and against the law, so when a 13 year old approaches a parent asking for keys, what
is the appropriate response? Jesus made promises about prayer, and God teaches us that He does not change, that He always
delivers on his promise, He is not like man who would lie, or the son of man who would change his mind. Take confidence, if God
asks you to do something there is a reason and He will honor it.
As well as what prayer in faith is, there are also things prayer in faith aren't. God is not a wish master, not a genie, and not
someone to whip out when it is convenient, and forget when we are doing fine, Deuteronomy 8:10-14 (NLT) 10 When you have
eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 “But that is the time to be careful!
Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am
giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your
flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do
not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.
Jesus Christ is very specific and never does He tell us to use a necklace or chain to prayer, use of beads and rosary is not talked
of or taught in the Bible. Praying to saints is also never taught by Jesus, He himself prayed to God, and always told us to pray to
God. Matthew 11:25-26 (NLT) 25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for
hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it
pleased you to do it this way!
For some it is hard to imagine God handling it all, that all the prayers we need lifted up and answers we seek, that it is all handled
by God through the Holy Spirit. God is God and more than able to this, and it shouldn't surprise us that an all powerful God who can
create EVERYTHING from nothing, can answer all the prayers we make, John 1:1-5 (NLT) 1 In the beginning the Word already
existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything
through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life
brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Praying also requires time. Realize this, time will not make itself available, you must take it. To show God his value, set time aside
and pray. The time you set aside of course in most cases will be a sacrifice, but that is your reasonable service to a loving God
who has given you all you need. God said in you dwells the God head bodily, God has also given you everything for life and
godliness. Deductive reasoning would also say that He has given us all we need for an effective prayer life, but you must take hold
of it, you must enact it. James 4:2 (NLT) 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of
what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want
because you don’t ask God for it.
Looking to the above scripture in James, we see that we try to find so many ways to get what we want and need, and try not to
involve God, that is counterproductive and futile, because God is always involved, honor Him, by going to Him first. We must also
see the value of patience, God will not be rushed, it was God Himself who told Elijah to pray and restart the rain in the Old
Testament, but God did not move until after Elijah had prayed seven times. Jesus in the book of Luke teaches us multiple times to
pray and not give up in both the parable of the Widow and the Judge, and the Man seeking food for his guest. We must keep
asking the Lord, Jesus Himself tells us to, Luke 11:9-10 (NLT) 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you
ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks,
receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
The greater your investment the greater your return, you put a little in, then expect to only get a little out.
We also learn the way God has set up His kingdom and flow of power, we must use the principle of sowing and reaping, to receive,
first we need to give. To get you must give, seeds must be sown to reap a harvest. So when you sow your seeds of prayer and
supplication and petition before God you can expect answers. The other side is to be still and know He is God, to listen and hear
Him, Psalm 46:10 (NLT) 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the
world.”
Part of the discipline of prayer, is the time to be receptive, to hear from God on High, in whatever way He speaks back. I have often
recommended starting out with short times after prayer to be still and quiet, to hear that soft voice, to hear Him in visions, to hear
Him in memory, to hear Him speak. Personally, every morning I start out just thanking God, even before my feet hit the floor I have
thanked God for many of the aspects of my life that I know I have no influence over, and can only trust God to provide for.
Dedicating the day to God in prayer by setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier each day so you can give God not even 1 percent of
your day is a wonderful way to change the flow of your day. Trust God and watch what happens when you honor Him.
I have heard multiple teachers speak on this, how can God put something in your hands if they are already full, let go of all of it, and
let God put into your hands what HE has for you, Because what God has is so much better! Luke 6:38 (NLT) 38 Give, and you will
receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into
your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Many use this teaching to justify tithing, but it is more than that, we are given so many things besides money. We have time, talents,
energy, prayer, hope, faith, Jesus, and so many other things as resources that we can give to others, seeds we can plant in faith
and trust the Lord to give the increase, 1 Corinthians 3:7-8 (AMP) 7 So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but
[only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. 8 He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same
importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor.
One aspect I would be remiss if I did not recommend or discuss would be prayer in the Spirit, also known as praying in tongues.
This is a spiritual gift given by God, covered by Paul in the book of 1 Corinthians. It is also discussed in the book of Acts as one of
the manifestations of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is the ability of a Christian Disciple to pray in an unknown tongue, as Paul
says, 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT) 1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be
a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
This ability allows our spirit to cry out to God in a way that our natural mind can not, and also allows us to cover prayers we don't
even know that we need to pray. It is compared to the Gift of Speaking in Tongues that requires interpretation, but they are two
different manifestations of the Spirit of God within us and not dependent upon one another. The Gift of Speaking in Tongues is
used by the Holy Spirit to edify the Church, and requires interpretation, but praying in the spirit requires no interpretation, because it
is between the person praying and God, and it done is to edify that individual. As Paul said, 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (AMP) 14
For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit
and helps nobody]. 15 Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray
[intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing
[intelligently] with my mind and understanding also.
Many do not understand this, and fear it, but the bible teaches that the gifts assigned to the early Church (as recorded in the book
of Acts and the New Testament) would be in place until the full unity of the church is reached and as we can all see that has not
happened yet, Ephesians 4:11-13 (NLT) 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the
church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we
will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Paul says this gift, and all the gifts must be sought after, and prayed for, and the Holy Spirit will give them, as He sees fit. So my
recommendation to you is to ask, to seek the Lord in prayer. For always remember God has said, that those who draw closer to
God, will have God draw closer to them, James 4:8 (NLT) 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your
hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
Personally I have this to say about speaking and praying in tongues, I was a doubter at first. I came to Christ in a Church where
tongues are spoken and prayed, and although I had a desire to know Jesus, I still doubted that those praying in tongues where
actually doing anything but making noise. To my human ears it sounded nonsensical, and I just couldn't believe that it was
something that God approved of or even was in the bible. I my self now pray in tongues daily and know that it is an effective weapon
against the enemy in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. I know that there is something released in our spirits when we open
up and let God speak to us in ways we can not totally comprehend, because He is God, and He does not need to be defined by our
understandings, He is Greater, 1 John 4:4-6 (NLT) 4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory
over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 5 Those people belong to
this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 6 But we belong to God, and those who know
God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or
the spirit of deception.
Specific prayer, is another aspect of prayer in faith. Let us call it a SMART prayer, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and
Time based. Praying with a set goal and set parameters, in faith and submission. Faith that God can answer and submission that
He can make adjustments. If we step out in and on our faith by praying with a set framework of completion but leaving the end result
to God, we are acting in faith, But God is the one we submit our prayers to, James 4:13-16 (NLT) 13 Look here, you who say,
“Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own
plans, and all such boasting is evil.
Part of our prayer life always needs to be seeking God's will on the matter we are praying over, making clear choices about what
we pray for, like using a magnifying glass to focus the sun, is great and I encourage it, but always remember the book of James
teaches us God has the final say. Even Jesus gave His will over to the Fathers, Matthew 26:39 (NLT) 39 He went on a little farther
and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I
want your will to be done, not mine.”
To answer the question on your mind now (well then why bother praying), because he told us to, and it is this exercise of faith that
moves His hand, trusting His decision making ability is also a step in faith, realizing He can see every twist, turn, and result of what
we are praying for. God is able to see the long and short of it all, what we see as an ordeal, God knows is only a speed bump, and
if we slow down and focus on Him, we will barely notice they are there. Think about it in human terms, as children we all asked for
things we couldn't handle, and thought we were more prepared than we were. God in His supreme knowledge knows what we can
handle and what we will do with what He places in our hands. I know personally as much as I love my daughter, there is no way I am
handing car keys over to a 10 year old, no matter the circumstance or how much she begs and pleads. We always were and
always will be God's children, James 1:16-17 (AMP) 16 Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every
perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there
can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
In closing recognize prayer is not only a prerequisite of salvation, but also of relationship with God. You cannot have a meaningful
relationship with God and not pray, doesn't happen. Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT) 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If
you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
God can and will answer all prayers, we must be willing to receive all the answers; no, yes, wait, I have a better idea. God is not
limited to answering our prayers by what we pray or don't pray, but does honor the time we invest in them, and in Him, Ephesians
3:20 (AMP) 20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His
purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers,
desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—
Prayers do not have to be eloquent or poetic or even lengthy, but God desires a sincere heart and an open mind, Luke 18:13-14
(NLT) 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his
chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home
justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Praying in faith requires you believing God answers prayers and will answer yours. Building a structured prayer life is like
developing a relationship, the beginning will be very formal and structured, but eventually the closer you get, it will be more intimate
and spontaneous. In the example of prayer being removed from public school, how so? Because there are many ways and
postures of prayer, we can pray to ourselves sitting down anytime and anywhere, so it is our choice to teach our children to pray in
school or not, they can't stop us.
God desires you to know Him, as He knows you. Prayer is the first step on that road, and the key to unlocking the power of God in
your life, and the lives of those around you. One of the biggest untaped secrets of a powerful prayer life is this, make it about God
and not about you, James 5:17-18 (AMP) 17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections,
and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six
months. 18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].
God told Elijah to pray to change the situations and circumstances around him, Elijah obeyed and history was made. God is calling
you to pray and change those situations and circumstances in your life, are you going to obey?
so often. Jesus even took time to instruct his disciples how to pray. Jesus also made us aware that we would be able to pray and
ask anything in His name, and God would provide it. It was also taught by Jesus in the book of Matthew, that if we ask for
something in prayer, and have faith and really believe, we will receive, Matthew 21:21-22 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell
you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain,
‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will
receive it.”
We are also taught in the book of James, that the prayers of the righteous make things happen and there is exponential power in
combination of the disciplines of prayer and fellowship, James 5:13-16 (NLT) 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should
pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to
come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and
the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and
pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces
wonderful results.
We can see that the catalyst or starting point for the activation and completion of prayer is faith in God's ability to deliver on our
requests. That faith comes from knowing God and studying His word another combination of two disciplines, Romans 10:17
(NLT) 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Praying to God without believing that He Can answer is silly, God is the Creator of the universe, nothing is beyond his ability or
touch, He says in the bible, Isaiah 50:2 (AMP) 2 Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, why was there no one to
answer? Is My hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at My rebuke I dry up the
sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink because there is no water, and they die of thirst.
Above God asks, ”is my arm too short”, the answer of course being no, He can and will reach into any situation. Another place in
the bible we learn, what is impossible to man, is easy to God, Matthew 19:26 (NLT) 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said,
“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
God cannot and will not be constrained by our limitations, we are the creatures, He is the Creator. God is able, and no matter what
the enemy tries to say to deny that, don't believe it, Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his
mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
The only other limitation placed on our prayer by God is that it lines up with His heart and we believe when we ask, James 4:3
(NLT) 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
This is reassuring for we do not have to rely on our own abilities, knowledge, limitations, or holiness, because we are going to the
one who is Holy, has all ability, is not limited by time or space, and knows the end from the beginning. We don't have to fear any
man or situation, Psalm 27:1-3 (NLT) 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my
fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and
foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am
attacked, I will remain confident.
Understand this, praying to God thinking he won't answer, is insulting to God. Why would a good and loving God, tell us to pray, and
not answer, James 1:6-8 (NLT) 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with
divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to
receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they
do.
However, the answer may not be one we like, but He always answers. Answers of wait, or not yet, or no, are often met with disdain
and anger or even sadness or denial, Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NLT) 2 Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so
that a runner can carry the correct message to others. 3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be
fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
It is obvious also that loving and caring parents often tell their children these same things, and they are seen as wise and prudent.
Allowing a 13 year old to drive is dangerous and against the law, so when a 13 year old approaches a parent asking for keys, what
is the appropriate response? Jesus made promises about prayer, and God teaches us that He does not change, that He always
delivers on his promise, He is not like man who would lie, or the son of man who would change his mind. Take confidence, if God
asks you to do something there is a reason and He will honor it.
As well as what prayer in faith is, there are also things prayer in faith aren't. God is not a wish master, not a genie, and not
someone to whip out when it is convenient, and forget when we are doing fine, Deuteronomy 8:10-14 (NLT) 10 When you have
eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 “But that is the time to be careful!
Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am
giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your
flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do
not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.
Jesus Christ is very specific and never does He tell us to use a necklace or chain to prayer, use of beads and rosary is not talked
of or taught in the Bible. Praying to saints is also never taught by Jesus, He himself prayed to God, and always told us to pray to
God. Matthew 11:25-26 (NLT) 25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for
hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it
pleased you to do it this way!
For some it is hard to imagine God handling it all, that all the prayers we need lifted up and answers we seek, that it is all handled
by God through the Holy Spirit. God is God and more than able to this, and it shouldn't surprise us that an all powerful God who can
create EVERYTHING from nothing, can answer all the prayers we make, John 1:1-5 (NLT) 1 In the beginning the Word already
existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything
through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life
brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Praying also requires time. Realize this, time will not make itself available, you must take it. To show God his value, set time aside
and pray. The time you set aside of course in most cases will be a sacrifice, but that is your reasonable service to a loving God
who has given you all you need. God said in you dwells the God head bodily, God has also given you everything for life and
godliness. Deductive reasoning would also say that He has given us all we need for an effective prayer life, but you must take hold
of it, you must enact it. James 4:2 (NLT) 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of
what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want
because you don’t ask God for it.
Looking to the above scripture in James, we see that we try to find so many ways to get what we want and need, and try not to
involve God, that is counterproductive and futile, because God is always involved, honor Him, by going to Him first. We must also
see the value of patience, God will not be rushed, it was God Himself who told Elijah to pray and restart the rain in the Old
Testament, but God did not move until after Elijah had prayed seven times. Jesus in the book of Luke teaches us multiple times to
pray and not give up in both the parable of the Widow and the Judge, and the Man seeking food for his guest. We must keep
asking the Lord, Jesus Himself tells us to, Luke 11:9-10 (NLT) 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you
ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks,
receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
The greater your investment the greater your return, you put a little in, then expect to only get a little out.
We also learn the way God has set up His kingdom and flow of power, we must use the principle of sowing and reaping, to receive,
first we need to give. To get you must give, seeds must be sown to reap a harvest. So when you sow your seeds of prayer and
supplication and petition before God you can expect answers. The other side is to be still and know He is God, to listen and hear
Him, Psalm 46:10 (NLT) 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the
world.”
Part of the discipline of prayer, is the time to be receptive, to hear from God on High, in whatever way He speaks back. I have often
recommended starting out with short times after prayer to be still and quiet, to hear that soft voice, to hear Him in visions, to hear
Him in memory, to hear Him speak. Personally, every morning I start out just thanking God, even before my feet hit the floor I have
thanked God for many of the aspects of my life that I know I have no influence over, and can only trust God to provide for.
Dedicating the day to God in prayer by setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier each day so you can give God not even 1 percent of
your day is a wonderful way to change the flow of your day. Trust God and watch what happens when you honor Him.
I have heard multiple teachers speak on this, how can God put something in your hands if they are already full, let go of all of it, and
let God put into your hands what HE has for you, Because what God has is so much better! Luke 6:38 (NLT) 38 Give, and you will
receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into
your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Many use this teaching to justify tithing, but it is more than that, we are given so many things besides money. We have time, talents,
energy, prayer, hope, faith, Jesus, and so many other things as resources that we can give to others, seeds we can plant in faith
and trust the Lord to give the increase, 1 Corinthians 3:7-8 (AMP) 7 So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but
[only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. 8 He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same
importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor.
One aspect I would be remiss if I did not recommend or discuss would be prayer in the Spirit, also known as praying in tongues.
This is a spiritual gift given by God, covered by Paul in the book of 1 Corinthians. It is also discussed in the book of Acts as one of
the manifestations of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is the ability of a Christian Disciple to pray in an unknown tongue, as Paul
says, 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT) 1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be
a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
This ability allows our spirit to cry out to God in a way that our natural mind can not, and also allows us to cover prayers we don't
even know that we need to pray. It is compared to the Gift of Speaking in Tongues that requires interpretation, but they are two
different manifestations of the Spirit of God within us and not dependent upon one another. The Gift of Speaking in Tongues is
used by the Holy Spirit to edify the Church, and requires interpretation, but praying in the spirit requires no interpretation, because it
is between the person praying and God, and it done is to edify that individual. As Paul said, 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (AMP) 14
For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit
and helps nobody]. 15 Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray
[intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing
[intelligently] with my mind and understanding also.
Many do not understand this, and fear it, but the bible teaches that the gifts assigned to the early Church (as recorded in the book
of Acts and the New Testament) would be in place until the full unity of the church is reached and as we can all see that has not
happened yet, Ephesians 4:11-13 (NLT) 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the
church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we
will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Paul says this gift, and all the gifts must be sought after, and prayed for, and the Holy Spirit will give them, as He sees fit. So my
recommendation to you is to ask, to seek the Lord in prayer. For always remember God has said, that those who draw closer to
God, will have God draw closer to them, James 4:8 (NLT) 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your
hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
Personally I have this to say about speaking and praying in tongues, I was a doubter at first. I came to Christ in a Church where
tongues are spoken and prayed, and although I had a desire to know Jesus, I still doubted that those praying in tongues where
actually doing anything but making noise. To my human ears it sounded nonsensical, and I just couldn't believe that it was
something that God approved of or even was in the bible. I my self now pray in tongues daily and know that it is an effective weapon
against the enemy in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. I know that there is something released in our spirits when we open
up and let God speak to us in ways we can not totally comprehend, because He is God, and He does not need to be defined by our
understandings, He is Greater, 1 John 4:4-6 (NLT) 4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory
over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 5 Those people belong to
this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 6 But we belong to God, and those who know
God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or
the spirit of deception.
Specific prayer, is another aspect of prayer in faith. Let us call it a SMART prayer, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and
Time based. Praying with a set goal and set parameters, in faith and submission. Faith that God can answer and submission that
He can make adjustments. If we step out in and on our faith by praying with a set framework of completion but leaving the end result
to God, we are acting in faith, But God is the one we submit our prayers to, James 4:13-16 (NLT) 13 Look here, you who say,
“Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own
plans, and all such boasting is evil.
Part of our prayer life always needs to be seeking God's will on the matter we are praying over, making clear choices about what
we pray for, like using a magnifying glass to focus the sun, is great and I encourage it, but always remember the book of James
teaches us God has the final say. Even Jesus gave His will over to the Fathers, Matthew 26:39 (NLT) 39 He went on a little farther
and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I
want your will to be done, not mine.”
To answer the question on your mind now (well then why bother praying), because he told us to, and it is this exercise of faith that
moves His hand, trusting His decision making ability is also a step in faith, realizing He can see every twist, turn, and result of what
we are praying for. God is able to see the long and short of it all, what we see as an ordeal, God knows is only a speed bump, and
if we slow down and focus on Him, we will barely notice they are there. Think about it in human terms, as children we all asked for
things we couldn't handle, and thought we were more prepared than we were. God in His supreme knowledge knows what we can
handle and what we will do with what He places in our hands. I know personally as much as I love my daughter, there is no way I am
handing car keys over to a 10 year old, no matter the circumstance or how much she begs and pleads. We always were and
always will be God's children, James 1:16-17 (AMP) 16 Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every
perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there
can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
In closing recognize prayer is not only a prerequisite of salvation, but also of relationship with God. You cannot have a meaningful
relationship with God and not pray, doesn't happen. Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT) 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If
you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
God can and will answer all prayers, we must be willing to receive all the answers; no, yes, wait, I have a better idea. God is not
limited to answering our prayers by what we pray or don't pray, but does honor the time we invest in them, and in Him, Ephesians
3:20 (AMP) 20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His
purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers,
desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—
Prayers do not have to be eloquent or poetic or even lengthy, but God desires a sincere heart and an open mind, Luke 18:13-14
(NLT) 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his
chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home
justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Praying in faith requires you believing God answers prayers and will answer yours. Building a structured prayer life is like
developing a relationship, the beginning will be very formal and structured, but eventually the closer you get, it will be more intimate
and spontaneous. In the example of prayer being removed from public school, how so? Because there are many ways and
postures of prayer, we can pray to ourselves sitting down anytime and anywhere, so it is our choice to teach our children to pray in
school or not, they can't stop us.
God desires you to know Him, as He knows you. Prayer is the first step on that road, and the key to unlocking the power of God in
your life, and the lives of those around you. One of the biggest untaped secrets of a powerful prayer life is this, make it about God
and not about you, James 5:17-18 (AMP) 17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections,
and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six
months. 18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].
God told Elijah to pray to change the situations and circumstances around him, Elijah obeyed and history was made. God is calling
you to pray and change those situations and circumstances in your life, are you going to obey?
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