The 6 P's of Prayer

On my last blog post, I wrote about the essentials of prayer in the Christian's life. This week I will discuss how we should pray. We are all familiar with the Lord's prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13. This is a wonderful guideline to how we should pray. The Lord begins the chapter by telling us how we should not pray to be seen but, that when we pray, we should enter the throne room in secret. In other words,  prayer is intimate between you and God. It's where you expose matters of your heart. However, there is a method in doing so. 

Preparation/Mental Alignment 

Prayer is a way of communicating to God, but it is also a way for God to communicate to us. Verse 8 says that God already knows what we have need of before we even ask Him.

Praise

So, because God alone is holy, we enter His courts acknowledging and honoring Him with praise because He alone is worthy of our praise (v9). "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

Power 

As we enter before the throne seated with Christ, we enter under His submission and with authority in Christ (vs 10). "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

Petition/ Provision

Ask boldly for what you have need of. God seeks to provide for you and meet your needs daily "Give us this day our daily bread" (vs11). He loves and cares for you. Remember, He gave his only son to die for you, so that you could live in Him."

Penitence/ Pardon

Verse 12 "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Forgiveness is for you! We must forgive others if we want God's forgiveness. Once we do this, we may repent from sin within our own hearts.

Protection

Verse 13 "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and power, and glory, forever. Amen." God can take care of us much better than we can take care of ourselves. 

Perhaps, this is why it's been said that worry is really a sin for a Christian. Acknowledging Him as the Protector  allows Him to be our Savior and Deliverer from evil, harm, and danger that we may not even be aware of.  Finally, we close in prayer acknowledging God as Majesty...kingdom, power, and glory forever. In His Son Jesus' name Amen! 

There is nothing God cannot do except fail. Trust Him. Love Him. Obey Him. Honor Him.

I love you all, but God loves you more!

Prayer is Essential

Prayer is essential in the life of every Christian. There are many ways to pray, but some may ask, "Why do I need to pray if God is already aware of my situation?"

Well, prayer is a means of communication to God, but it is also a means of God communicating to us.  Prayer is mainly for the enrichment of our spiritual lives. It is an invaluable tool that grants the Believer direct access to our God. Let's look at what the word of God says in regard to prayer. 

1 Thess 5:17 says that we should "pray without ceasing." A life steeped in continuous prayer allows the Christian to endure "all things" (Romans 8:28). Though things may seem out of control around you, the Prince of Peace shall sustain you. There is peace in God's presence that overrides our level of understanding about situations (Phil 4:7).

We can rest assured knowing that if God brought us to it; He will surely see us through it. This establishes trust in the relationship. The more time we spend in God's presence, the more our thoughts will be established for what is good and acceptable within our lives. What about those situations that we find ourselves in that are not good and acceptable? 

Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us come bodily unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Prayer gives God permission to work on our behalf or, if we are interceding; on behalf of others. We bring our petition before the Lord boldly and this pleases God. "Why?"

You have acknowledged that He alone is Lord in and over your life, and He can make things happen according to your faith that you exercised when you asked. Remember, it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:6). However, even mustard seed size faith moves mountains  when it's acted upon (Matt 17:20). Prayer is faith in action! 

I love you all, but God loves you more!

"The Struggle" is Real

Recently, I met a young lady in my class that said she awoke that morning to do battle. She had purposed in her heart that she was going to avenge her father's murderer, and anyone that harmed her brother especially would pay. Nothing was going to stop her because she was "locked in." 

She was on a journey; a warpath and she shared how God had recently spared her life in an incident that could have ended her life very similar to how her father was killed. She acknowledged that she impulsively stood up and walked to the other side of the room as flying bullets merely missed her. She reluctantly called 911, because there were several warrants out for her arrest. However, when she did; the very ones whom she had considered an enemy actually saved her life. 

Know Your Opponent 

Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The police told her that someone else had called 911 before she had, and that they knew of her outstanding warrants. Nevertheless, they were there to protect her and they told her to stay on the ambulance. This was the second miracle, because she had already envisioned jail in her mind.  Still perplexed about her current situation, it wasn't until she heard the word of God in class, and felt him drawing her through His truths about her life that she understood that her vision was not God's vision for her life.

This reminds me of Saul. He was so convinced that he was doing the work of God and fixated on "his mission" that he didn't see what God was doing (Acts 9). While we know that "where there's no vision the people perish" (Prov 29:18), with a clear vision and a determined heart, mighty things can be done! In Saul's case, the outcome would have been disastrous. Saul who had been named after King Saul; had the Right God, the Right Word, and the Wrong Vision, the Lord in his love, grace and mercy blinded Saul temporarily to save him from himself.

The Lord asked him, (4)" Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And Saul replies, "Who art thou, Lord?" The Lord replies (5)"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Thank God for interruptions! (Interrupt me Jesus, anytime). We read on and see how later God changes Saul's name to Paul; which means small or little, thus showing God's Diety and Christ' Lordship which matches his new identity in Christ. 

The Battle Is Not Yours

He now has the Right God, the Right Word, and the Right Vision...some could call him the Right Reverend, Lol! Paul goes on and does some amazing things for God, and so can you. You shall because God's word says, "Greater works shall you do in my name"(John 14:12). I'm so excited to partner with this new student on her journey and she is too! She understands that she is in the right place at the right time and now she has the right vision! As Believers, prayer is our first line of defense, but whatever God has for her, may He be glorified. 

This is an admonishing to all of us to stay focused, but not so fixated that God can't interrupt or interject! After all, He knows exactly what we need. 

I love you all, but God loves you more!

Eternal Perspective; Seasonal Purpose

Perspective is everything! When we lose a proper perspective on life, we lose purpose! Remember, a season does not determine your overall outcome. For, within your greatest trials lie some of your most valuable possessions. Let the season you're in make you wiser, stronger, or perhaps more courageous." Your destiny and others' may depend on it.

Jesus was blameless but it did not change his course of action. His perspective remained clear. Likewise, fickleness allowed Barabbas, a well-known criminal to be set free.

Yes, the same justice system that was used to put him away allowed him freedom because the citizens' perspective had changed. "They cried out, "Give us Barabbas," because they abhorred even the possibility of another truth!" They simply wanted what they wanted at the time!

Let's be a people of authenticity! A real people with a proper perspective. Let's be a people that will make a difference in our lives, and the lives of those that matter. Let's be a people with a purpose (2Chron7:14). Let's be a people on the move...let's be a people of prayer. Let's P.U.S.H--pray until something happens! Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Love God, love people. Powerful God; Poweful People. "Align your faith with the proper perspective in this season and take back what is rightfully yours."

I love you all, but God loves you more!