What is Prayer

Prayer is “the” (matter) of the heart that causes us to interact with Jesus Christ. It’s a lifetime conversation as stated by God Himself for us to pray without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is an amazing experience of growth that produces assurance, courage, faith, change, hope and trust inGod. It’s a visionary journey that manifestes an adventure in prayer that will keep you before the Lord hopeful.  

Luke 18:1-8 in this illustration of scripture Luke is explaining a parable Jesus used in His teaching to the disciples: That means to keep asking in prayer – It emphasizes what happens when you are persistent in all matters before God. 

This is for your benefit to keep praying to keep believing when you are asking. What do you think will happen if you the believer keep praying?  

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

4For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men, 5yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’ ”

6And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. 7Will not God bring about justice for His elect (chosen) who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Prayer paints a view across your heart allowing you to see what you can believe and trust God for; be it justice, healing, shelter, financial, or love etc. The scripture states for us to ask, and I believe all of these things are in the Will of God for us. It may not happen all at once, but at the sometime it will; this asking is also a part of Salvation that leads to honoring God. It’s an open invitation to present our needs before the Lord. A communing fellowship that leads to worship. Go and ask! And, it’s also a relationship even without asking for anything as well; love is the foundation of prayer. 

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

This ask is His will – it’s asking you to ask for His Will to be revealed so that you can believe it – The Will of God is always a yes; that you can start your planning around what you ask according to His Will. God has stated that He will not leave you desolate, John 14:18…

This scripture also means that you believe in Jesus Christ and that you believe He died on the cross for your sins and that he was raised from the dead 3 days later and is now at the right hand of the Father; and He’s your advocate for your Christian Walk. Your relationship places you in position to ask, seek, and knock to receive what you desire of the Lord. This is a standing relationship to always ask, seek and knock at the heart of God. And, when we feel we don’t have a right to approach God because we have fallen short; even though we have asked for forgiveness, God’s Son, Jesus Christ is our Advocate and our propitiation between us and the Father. This means that this relationship gives you the authority to ask, to seek and to knock. 

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 

This desire pulls from your heart/spirit not from how you think. Christ dwells in you at the center of your desires, your needs and your wants. He’s associated with your longings if He dwells with you. Our spirit is regulated by our salvation and salvation is regulated by God; His Word in you.  (right here is where you should pray now)

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ:

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

And, as the matters of our hearts unfold in prayer (to us) the spirit of prayer takes us from words in prayer into the experience of answered prayers; a believing heart given faith to trust the God whom we pray to. 

And, in prayer you discover “you”; old things begin to pass away MORE, as you desire new things to pray for. It’s the daily shedding of the old you to become a warrior of prayer. But you must pray!  

Prayer places you in the driver seat to see clearly the plans God has for you. 

It’s like you are on the front line looking over barriers that have hindered you. Prayer allows you to look towards the hills that cometh your help, Psalms 1:21. 

The Outcome of Prayer is a Heart of Faith

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Jesus Christ knows your heart, He knows you better than you do. (Psalm 139:1-6) If you allow Him, He will show you a life in prayer He has prepared for you to experience.  (Jeremiah 17:10)

Prayer is not just for coming out of something it is also for starting and beginning something.

Prayer’s power is best known for changing a situation from bad to better and simultaneously changing you. It’s also where you begin to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. And, it’s also transcending – it will go beyond what you ask and it will manifest in places in the world you send it; while changing you and teaching you to care for others. Ephesians 3:20 – Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Prayer will invoke the hand of God to move and draw His presence on our behalf; 

no matter how prayer is prayed – spontaneously, nervously, fearfully, individually, in a group, in a song, in a reading, organized or unorganized. Prayer invokes God!

Prayer extracts (pulls away) from the flesh (mind) and integrates with the atmosphere (“spirit realm”) formally formed and concentrated (active) …to cause a turbulence; “I’m over here Lord.” The Prayer Realm is always active!

Extract – a preparation continuing the active ingredient of a substance in concentrated form. Prayer living on beyond Amen. Concentrated – intense: I need you God (He hears you)

Prayer isn’t Natural – it’s unfathomable – meaning – incapable of being measured. It’s supernatural. 

Praying Faith – Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1. Right now I believe and right now I have it. 

This powerful word Prayer has only one goal – direction to Jesus Christ our Savior. Even to say the word Prayer it draws its own purpose; it has its own continuity… 

Continuity – the state of stability and the absence of disruption (consistent). Prayers never dissipate even when answered; the Prayer Realm is always active.

With all this said – God hears you when you pray; thank Him for hearing your prayers.  (Psalms 34:15, 1 Peter 3:12)

Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons formed; it will span the horizon and reach the heavens. It will break through barriers, crack glass ceilings, and diminish attacks on our lives. It will lift burdens, cease wars, heal the sick, save a soul to change a life. And, it will cause you to praise God. (Philippians 4:7)    

And before it detaches itself from you, it will allow you to find your truth so that the words you utter are God worthy…Prayer will help you be true to God, even if it breaks you down to release your heart to God and to yourself. 

Prayer takes us on a journey of finding ourselves and the power within: (St. John 15:5 – “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”) That journey of discovery can only be taken by you and God – it leads you into places unknown by you into places that Christ has designed for your life. Although your prayers are prayed by what you are aware of, know, see, and feel or have experienced, God is Omniscient – meaning “all knowing.” He knows how to answer your heart, what you are praying and what you are not saying. He knows how to lead you into all truth in prayer. 

Psalm 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Psalm 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:  Pray to Him  

Sinners Prayer to Salvation

Father who art in Heaven, thank you for drawing me to your Son Jesus Christ to be Changed/Born Again. I believe that Jesus died on the Cross for my sins and that He was raised from the dead three days after; and I believe I have eternal life with Him. I confess today that I am a sinner and I humbly repent of my sins and ask that Jesus Christ will come into my life. I also believe that Jesus’ name alone is power and that the Holy Spirit was sent to lead me into all truth in my personal life and my relationship with Jesus Christ. 

I am also stating, “I understand that my confession and repentance cannot be just in words only – actions must be taken by me! Because, I know that I am responsible for my own Salvation. Joshua 1:8, Philippians 2:12, 2 Timothy 2:15.

 And, I will also search for a Church Home to continue to grow. (I Repent Lord) 

Prayer Continues after Salvation! 

Prayer flows from the emotions of our heart that expresses our reality. What’s real and true to us that we are living and experiencing. It creates for us a sacred place where we are free to enter for the rest of our lives.  And, as we humble ourselves with our (humanity) in humility continually, we form a bond in prayer with God; that will cause us to Worship in spirit and in truth. But, it would behoove you/us to understand that prayer is spiritual and knowing it is a benefit to our faith. Knowing even has a sense of authority that occurs as we pray. It is your sacred place; honor your time of prayer. 

I believe that prayer is worship to give us an opportunity to experience Jesus Christ. We know that He dwells within us as the Word states and we believe. But, worship prayer brings His dwelling alive to us; it’s like He opens His arms and welcomes us into His presence; He makes himself known in this space. To give to us assurance, He’s real, He’s alive, and that He’s with us. This prayer life spills over into our studying, fasting, evangelizing, missions, giving, outreach, volunteering, caring for others and intercession and in glorifying and magnifying Him. 

This spoken word of prayer that gives birth to worship which flows from our inner-man to connect with God is amazing. John 7:38 KJV He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. That’s worship. This Worship will also impress the Work of the Lord upon your heart. 

John 14:12, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

If faith is the size of a mustard-(Matthew 17:20). I wonder what size the seed of Worship is. What does it take to lift up worship in spirit and truth? What is Worship to you? Would it be safe to say that worship is honoring and glorifying God with our lives. Turning from our wicked ways and living a life after Jesus Christ; this is worship too. A culture within itself formed to give glory to God through this lifestyle we were chosen to live. 

Romans 12:1-2 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. His Will is perfect, not us

KJV (John 4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.