Prayer is the most powerful weapon available to an individual. It is the highest form of communication with a direct link to God. It thrusts us into a spirit realm where the impossible is accomplished on a regular basis. When we pray or communicate with God, He PROMISES to hear us! He does not promise to hear “good thoughts” or “good vibes” that people love to send to each other, however. Only *prayer* can change things!
~ “There’s a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying”
John G. Lake
What Exactly Is Prayer?
Prayer is very simple. It is talking to God. There is a key to this communication; however it may not be what people think. While there is no formula, and things like great spiritual verbiage do nothing to propel a prayer any higher, it IS important to pray from the heart. God hears the cries from our HEART. We can THINK of things to pray about and God knows what we’re thinking at all times. But because He is a gentleman, he doesn’t invade our space. He waits for us to ASK Him ( prayer) before He moves on our behalf.
~“Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer”
Ed Cole
Let’s Clear the Air
First of all, let me just say that God DOES want to hear from you and contrary to what you may have heard, He’s not mad at you. He has given us the most powerful weapon on this earth to use at will. Again, He WANTS to hear from you. D.L. Moody put it best when he said, “Some people think that God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.” The bible says that God has the hairs on your head numbered. While you’re sleeping, He’s thinking about you. He keeps every tear that you cry in a jar. Does this sound like someone who doesn’t want to talk to you? Does that sound like someone who’s mad at you?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29.11 (NIV)
Getting Started
I remember when I first started praying. I would be selective in what I asked for because I didn’t want to take up too much of His time. I also didn’t feel that I deserved what I was requesting, so I would ask in timidity. I simply didn’t know who I was in Him and what He gave to me. Basically, I didn’t believe that He REALLY WANTED TO HEAR FROM ME. Over the years, I’ve discovered a ton of scriptures that say things like: He wants us to “come boldly to His throne of Grace…” Does that sound like someone who’s troubled by your asking? Absolutely not!
“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness”
~Martin Luther
The Bottom Line
The “formula” is simple: authentic communication. The results are the hard part, but that isn’t our burden. That’s God’s delight. Prayer opens up a realm beyond our understanding, but it is very real. It is also a way to get to Know God intimately. He wants that too! There are several types of prayer that the bible makes reference to as being the most powerful. They come from a life lived in His will and time spent with Him. “More prayer, more power. Little prayer, little power.” But the most important thing is to get started.
God loves with a great love, the person whose heart is bursting with a passion for the impossible”
~William Booth
One More Thing
Prayer isn’t some powerless “duty” that we do every now and then to ease our conscience. It’s the dynamism to have God change things on our behalf. It is power beyond our own capability or understanding with layered and impenetrable depth. Its height exceeds the impossible and unimaginable. Prayer taps into power that changes lives and creates miracles. It locks into a moving, living being that operates in realms we have little knowledge of. Still, it is made available to us in one easy step. Opening our mouths and talking to God is all we have to do to unhinge this boundless force of power. He’s waiting right now.
~“ Prayer is our most f ormidable weapon, the thing which makes all else we do efficient.
- E. M. Bounds
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