Many books have been written on the subject of prayer. When you are dealing with a topic such as communicating with the creator of the universe, it’s easy to understand why some might have the opinion that prayer is complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.
Prayer can be defined as addressing God in word or thought, requesting help from God, or expressing your thankfulness to him. While all of these are a part of prayer, we can keep things simple by defining prayer in three words, talking with God.
Prayer Is Repentance
(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
For someone who doesn’t have a relationship with God, prayer is the beginning of a relationship that can last for eternity. Repenting and confessing our sins to Him is the first step in God’s plan of salvation. For the Christian who has been saved, continuing to ask for God’s help with those imperfect moments in our lives should always be a part of our prayer life.
Prayer Is Saying Thank You
(Philippians 4:6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
(Colossians 4:2) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Telling God we are thankful to him for all the blessings in our lives should definitely be included in our conversations with the Savior. From the most important things like salvation, family, and friends, to the material things such as homes, cars, jobs, and the food on our tables, it all comes from God.
Prayer Is Asking
(1 John 5:14) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Prayer can be asking God for anything, as long as it is his will. This could be healing for a sick body, financial blessings, the salvation of a lost loved one, and so many other things that can be asked of our Father in heaven. We can be assured that he will provide all of our needs according to his will.
Praying For Others
(Ephesians 6:18) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
(James 5:16) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
A Christian is very familiar with the terms “Pray for me” and “I’ll be praying for you”. In our day-to-day activities we often run into individuals requesting us to pray for them. With all of these request from people, plus the many others we already know of who could use our prayers, we have a lot given to us that we can talk to God about on the behalf of others.
In Conclusion
(James 5:13) Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.
(Mathew 5:44) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
(Mathew 26:41) “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
The Bible also tells us to pray when we are in trouble, pray for those who persecute us, and to pray so that we will not fall into temptation. God basically wants us to talk to him about everything. This communication with God isn’t saying some repeated chants as (Mathew 6:7) refers to. It is talking directly to Jesus from your heart.
At times prayer will be talking to God just as you would talk to a spouse or a friend. At other times we will not know what to pray for, but God’s Spirit will intercede for us.
(Romans 8:26) In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Prayer not only opens up a line of communication that allows us to speak to God, it also opens up our hearts and minds to be able to hear God speak to us.
