Praying That Pleases God

Praying That Pleases God

Prayer is how we as Christians commune with Our Heavenly Father. Those in the Prayerneed Internet ministry of Praise, Prayer and Encouragement have seen the results of prayer over and over again and we give the Glory to God the Father. Prayer is indeed powerful because it involves God’s ability and often activates our own latent capabilities in ways that build godly character in our lives. Our communion through prayer becomes a transforming experience. Therefore, it is important to know how to please our Father and how to pray in a way that pleases and moves the heart and hand of God. With this in mind, let’s examine PRAYER THAT PLEASES GOD.

First, prayer that pleases God starts with a DESIRE TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S BLESSING. Listen to the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10: “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, "Because I bore him with pain." 10. Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested.” However, before we can pray the prayer of Jabez, OUR ATTITUDE MUST BE RIGHT.

For example, Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” The Lord impressed upon my heart that we are to rejoice and be joyful no matter what the circumstance. Each day is a special gift from God.

The fact The Lord brings us into a new day of opportunity is cause enough to rejoice and be glad. For indeed, the Lord has given us every reason to be glad.

Right attitude should focus our attention each day on our salvation. Paul said in Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Jesus Christ has paid the purchase price for us. He paid the debt we could not pay although many still try. He was the one that went to cross and suffered and died for sinners. He loved us so much, He willingly laid His life down for you and I. And now, we have in Him forgiveness of sins. We can enter His Throne of Grace 24/7 because the veil has been rent from top to bottom. Access is now possible in Christ. Therefore, we should acknowledge how great our salvation is and not neglect it.

Also, right attitude means putting off and putting on. We must put off the weight and the sin that so easily entangles and putting on Christ. Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” I equate putting on Christ to putting on the full armor of God each day as we enter battle to fight the good fight. Paul describes this armor in Ephesians 6:10-17: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Then, once we have by faith put off the weight and sin that so easily entangles and put on the full armor of God, we need to ask God to deliver us from the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life. The Apostle John writes, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17) That is good counsel for us to follow that desire to follow Christ.