Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

God knows what we need before we pray, so when we pray, instead of telling Him what we need, it's probably better to find something else on which to focus. Since we are blessed to be provided for by an omniscient and omnipotent Father, we should offer a prayer of thanksgiving every day!

God knows our every need! Does He know how much we love Him? To be sure, we should tell Him! Paul told the Church to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1, the parable of the persistent widow).

James told the Church to "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). Paul told the Philippian Church to "Be not anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7). 

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it didn't rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops (James 5:17, 18). Who doesn't want access to that kind of power? It only takes one answer to a prayer like the one on record that Elijah prayed, for a person to become an incurable prayer warrior. 

My brother Bobby took my mom to her monthly doctor appointments; she was a congestive heart failure patient. She got weaker and weaker over the years. Her doctor called him to his office on one such occasion and told him our mother wouldn't last another 3 weeks. He told her doctor, "I was expecting you to tell me something like that today." (Mom was really weak) He told the doctor, "The Lord has been assuring me that she's in His hands," or something like that. Her doctor gave him the 'Okay sir, whatever you say' side eye. Nothing more was said.

A month later, her doctor upon seeing her asked her "What happened to you?" She was 85 years old at the time. She had gotten stronger... (my whole family was perplexed by it). 

She passed away 23 days before her 89th birthday! Her doctor saw my brother Bobby once a month for those 3 plus years following his dire prediction and Bobby's faith testimony. We thank God for His answer to the 'Side Eye.' 

Prayer can shut up heaven, and it can get it to open again. Fellowship with heaven is much more than telling God what we need!

3 days ago • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

Prayer strengthens our ability to 'stay on task' spiritually while trapped in our carnal bodies, similar to recharging a battery. We have more 'power' to overcome when our focus is on God.

Our relationship with God can also grow with prayer. God wants us to want Him. We are not forced to come closer to Him due to free will, so prayer shows Him our sincerity of wanting Him in our lives.

It is important to note that prayer does not necessarily require a physical performance on our part. Consider what Paul says regarding the purpose and manner of prayer below:

Romans 8:22-27
"22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

God may not be passing out earthly blessings as found during other biblical eras, but WE have been gifted all SPIRITUAL blessings today (Ephesians 1:3). Paul says we also do not know how to pray properly, but that the indwelling holy Spirit makes intercession for us as He sees need by our unspoken groaning. Our prayers today are to be with the focus of thanksgiving, giving thanks always for all things unto God (Ephesians 5:20), no matter what state we are in (Philippians 4:11).

1 Timothy 2:1
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;"

Philippians 4:11
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

There are so many 'shiny objects' and distractions in this present evil world that attempt to keep our focus off of who we are spiritually in Christ. This is why we are urged to seek heavenly things and reject the carnal things of this world that satisfy the desires of the flesh.

April 27 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report