CHRISTIAN LIVING - DO YOU HAVE AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE?
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CHRISTIAN LIVING - EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE
CHRISTIAN LIVING - EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE
What is prayer? Wikipedia defines it as an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication towards a deity or deified ancestor. Praying in not a Christian or a Jewish activity; Muslims pray and pray 5 times a day, Hindus pray to many gods. Many Christians have simplified the definition of our prayer as simply talking to God; and at its core, that is what it is, talking to God – but do we pray prayers that avail much or avail little. How effective is our prayer life and how effective are we with communicating with God.
James Hudson Taylor said, “When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!” If we pray effective prayers, God works. Effective Prayer does not change God’s mind but changes us to align and see His Will and His Holiness. Effective prayer does not always mean we get what we pray for, when we pray effective prayers – God Works His Will – not our own – we just have the privilege of being a part of that plan.
A.W, Tozer said, “What the praying man does is to bring his will into line with the will of God so God can do what He has all along been willing to do.”
Christian Living – Prayer – Do You Have an Effective Prayer Life?
Philippians 4:6-7 – do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1. PRAISE
Do not be anxious about anything – do not worry about anything – how can we do that? We start with Praise!
a. Adore – to worship and honor with loving devotion
Psalm 95:6 – Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
Revelation 4:11 – “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Psalm 103:1-2 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
b. Praise and Worship – Praise Him for His Power – Worship Him for His Holiness
Matthew 6:9 – Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Hallowed – Holy
Luke 11:2 – And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name.
Psalm 150:1-6 – Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 95:1-3 – Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
2. REMEMBER and REPENT
a. Remember – both what God has done for you and what you have
Psalm 103:2 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
Isaiah 46:9 – Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
Psalm 77:11 – I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
Psalm 1435 – I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
Psalm 119:11 – I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 105:5 – Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
Jonah 2:7 – When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.
b. Repent – Reconcile ( apokatallassō ap ok at al las so bring back to a former state of harmony)
Revelation 2:5 – Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Luke 13:3 – No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Luke 17:13 – Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Acts 3:19 – Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,
2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
3. ASK
a. Physical Needs
Philippians 4:19 – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
3 John 1:2 – Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Psalm 118:14 – The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
b. Spiritual Needs
James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
1 John 5:14-15 – And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Ephesians 6:18 – Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Matthew 6:13 – And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
4. YIELD – TRUST
a. Surrender
Francis Chan said, ““True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God’s fidelity to His Promises.” Are you completely surrendered? Do your prayers show evidence of full surrender – holding nothing back?
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
v10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Romans 12:1-2 – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1Peter 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
b. Security
Psalm 16:8 – I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Job 11:18 – And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.
Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Isaiah 41:10 – fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
P-R-A-Y-E-R-S – to be effective and have an effective prayer life – use P-R-A-Y-E-R-S acronym to help you
PRAISE -Him thru adoring and worshipping Him
REMEMBER AND REPENT – remember what God has done, remember what you have done and repent and reconcile yourself to God
ASK – ask not only for physical but for spiritual needs as well
YIELD & TRUST – completely surrender and rest in the security of God’s presence.
Super size your prayer life – become more effective in your prayer life