MASTER TEACH US HOW TO PRAY!!!
PRAYER- a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity.
SOLEMN- formal and dignified characterized by deep sincerity.
So, when we say we are praying, we are in essence saying we are in a formal and dignified manner characterised by deep sincerity requesting for help or giving thanks to God.
So how do we pray effectively? We must be intelligent and sincere.
The request that is in actuality the title, was asked to Jesus by His disciples. And He taught them how to pray. We can find this prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4.
The Bible in Isaiah makes it clear how God expects us to bring our petitions and requests to Him.
Like a lawyer who studies for years and graduates and even after graduation still studies up on the various case studies and the laws backing them to present the post possible defence for his/her client (case) is how a person should approach God in prayer.
The Word tell us in Hebrews 4:14a that- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, so in my interpretation that means that yes, Jesus will cry with us, pat our back and shush us when we cry out to Him, but to make a request and get an answer we must do away with all gormlessness and employ intelligence, planning and sincerity.
There are 2 verses in Isaiah that provoked me, and I inquired of the Lord.
One of them is Isaiah 41:21 which states- “Present your case,” says the LORD. “Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob.
Another is Isaiah 43:26 (NKJV) states- Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.
The HCSB version states- Take Me to court; let us argue our case together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated.
Now the statement, take me to court, the words, acquitted and vindicated all denote we must approach this as a lawyer approaches the Judges bench with God being the Judge. Nobody goes before the judge with a half-baked case but must have a combination of high intelligence, strong analytical and advocacy skills, and an ability to effectively communicate the objectives and advocate on that basis.
So, how much do you know of your case, the law and your judge?
With the Grace of God and by revelation power I learnt 4 mysteries that will help with the prayer life of any believer. I am sure there are more, but I have only 4.
*BEFORE YOUR PRAYER TOUCHES THE THRONE ROOM IT MUST BE HEARTFELT.
Think of it in this way: before your prayer moves heaven, it must move you. James 5:16b reads- The effective, [k]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Hannah prayed in this way and the throne room was moved. Elijah also prayed in this way and fire came down from heaven and consumed his sacrifice. To date when we sing we say “the God of Elijah, send down fire,” clearly that is the God we want in that moment but he has to be called down in a specific way.
*ACTIVATE THE LEGAL DIMENSION OF PRAYER.
This must be done in the name of Jesus and as a lawyer goes before the judge confident in the law, the Judge and his abilities so, must we come before the throne boldly. John 14:13 states- And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. And John 16:23 says- “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
So, how much of the word of God do you know, that particular case you are bringing before the throne, how much do you know about it and what does God say about it? Who are you in Christ Jesus? All these matter especially establishing your identity in Christ Jesus because once that is sorted, you will approach God with confidence and boldness.
*YOUR PRAYER MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WILL OF GOD
What is the will of God in your case or prayer? The Word says and David inquired of the Lord. Inquire of the Lord and pray accordingly, James 4:2-3 says- You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and [a]war. [b]Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
John 15:7 says- 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[a] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. The key here is we must be in Him for any prayer of ours to have the desired result.
*ALWAYS WRAP UP YOUR PRAYER WITH THANKGIVING
2nd Corinthians 1:20- For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
HCSB version- For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him. Therefore, the “Amen” is also spoken through Him by us for God’s glory.
And so, if we know this and we have employed our arsenal of wisdom regarding prayer, thanksgiving is the perfect ending to this sacrifice and worship.
Last but not the least we must sustain the intelligence to pray as Daniel did. We must pray with the consciousness of the covenant that governs the spiritual house, tribe, Man/ woman of God that supplies Grace and Faith for us.
Ishmael in Genesis 21 prayed in this way, yes, he might not have spoken but his voice was heard in heaven- Genesis 21:17- And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.
His mother, Hagar, mourned and lamented and she was right to do so but it was not her cry God responded to. Abraham’s grace and faith supplied this provision for Ishmael and when he cried Heaven stood at attention.
It is true when the Word says For, we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, I am sure our High Priest felt her pain but there was nothing in her prayer that would inspire the move of heaven on her behalf.
Everything is impossible until faith brings it!!!!