by Bishop Charles C Jones
Matthew 6:5-8 Text verse 7
There can be no doubt at all that when it comes to the activity of what we call Prayer we will find that it is the very heart beat of every saved beleiver. It is the defining mark of every believer that say's to those around them and to the world that yes I make time in my life for Prayer because Prayer makes the Difference.
There are are a lot of people today who do not pray, or who at least do not make prayer a regular habit. How are we going to answer the person who insists he has tried prayer and has found from their practical experience that Prayer makes no difference?
The first thing we should do is make it clear to the individual of what prayer really is. And perhaps the best way to do that is to begin by making clear to them what prayer is not.
For one thing, Prayer is not a quick and easy way of getting things from God for ourselves which otherwise we would not get. No this idea of prayer is really quite childish, and yet numbers of apparently intelligent people seem to think that this is all we mean by prayer.
H.G. Wells in his Autobiography, tells us how in his first book keeping examination he could not get his accounts to balance. So as time was creeping on, he prayed furiously to God to help him. No answer came. So he said " All right, God, don't catch me praying again."
Prayer is not, and let me emphasize, simply a quick and easy way of getting what we otherwise cannot get. If it were , it would be thoroughly bad for us. And if that was the case we would not develop at all, but we would remain petted, spoiled children all our days if God gave us everything that we asked for.
The question is asked, " Are we, then, not to ask God for anything at all? " Does this mean that my Prayers of Petition should be cut out altogether out of my prayers?
My answer to you is Yes and No. Yes we should pray and ask God for things that are in line with His Word but no we should not cut out our daily petitional prayers because there is nothing wrong with petitioning God on the behalf of yourself or anyone else for that fact. So yes you have a right to pray.
Jesus prayed constantly and since He teaches us and gives us an example of how we should pray in His name,can you imagine Jesus, in our position praying for us and Interceeding for us when we have to tell Him about all of our trials? Even when we cannot bear our burdens alone. In our distress He kindly will help us because He ever loves and cares for His own.
That is what Prayer "In the name of Jesus" really means. It means passing all our trials, burdens, distress and desires through a net so that He can catch and ensnare them so that they won't be a hinderance to you as He fulfills His purpose for you in your life.
Prayer is not just an amiable soliloguy with ourselves. amiable - friendly thing where God grants the wishes of a person. A soliloquy - (from Latin: "talking by oneself") is used in dramas whereby a character speaks to himself, relating his thoughts and feelings, thereby also sharing them with the audience. Some seem to suggest that that's all it is. They say in effect, that it does not matter very much whether there be a Personal God or not; they say that our prayers couldn't make any difference to His eternal purposes. But, nevertheless, they say,let us continue to pray; nothing supernatural will happen, nothing will quicken our minds, nothing will soothe our spirits or purify our thoughts. But I beg to differ just like the old saints use to sing ," I Found The Answer when I leanred to pray, with faith to guide me, I found the way, the sun is shining for me each day because i found the answer when i learned to pray." Ahhhhh There are some things I may not know,There are some places I can't go, But I am sure of this one thing, My God is real for I can feel Him in my soul.
How many of you know that Prayer makes a difference because you have a personal relationship with God?
How many of you know that Prayer gives you the ability to know His etenral purposes not fight against it?
How many of you know that Prayer ushers in the Supernatural power of God?
How many of you know that Prayer will quicken your spirit? That prayer will soothe your spirit and purify your thought?
How do you know that? Its because you tried Him and you know Him for yourself. The song writer said it this way,"What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer!
So What Is Prayer?
It is that activity whereby a person who is trying to live the life of a beleiever seeks to open up his or her mind and heart to the promised help and guidance of God the Father. As beleivers we believe that because God has revealed His purpose in His Son Jesus Christ, we know that God does not stand at a distance while we go through our struggles ; rather He is continually trying to help, guide and strengthen us, His children. Prayer is simply making ourselves available to the spiritual resources which God has promised to all who seek to do His will. We are not trying to get God to bend to our will no we are setting our wills in line with His will. We don't have to plead or beg because the bible in Hebrews 4:16 say's Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.In Hebrews 10:19 -22 it say's "Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,and since we have a great priest over the house of God,let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
See God wants to help us. That's why you need to know that Prayer Makes The Difference!
How Often Should I Pray?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 say's," Pray without ceasing." i.e. We are to maintain an uninterrupted and constant spirit of prayer.
Luke 18:1 say's, "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
Obviously it should be regularly. Systematically, each day, we should set aside a time for prayer, preferably first thing in the morning, when our minds are freshest. We should not let anything interefere with our prayer time. When you can't pray as you would, pray when you can. Get in prayer by yourself.
Psalms 46:10 say's "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
In your quiet time sing your song, read the bible or meditate on a bible promise that God gave to you. Whatever you do .....PRAY! --
