Prayer for many people seems intimidating and if asked to pray out loud in a group, all of sudden we act like someone has asked the impossible of us. There is no “magic formula” to prayer. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to pray. Prayer is nothing more than talking with God. It’s a sharing of your heart with Him. It isn’t some magical meditation. It’s about our souls communicating with God. It can be a desperate cry or a silent petition. It can be done at any moment of any day – in fact, Paul taught us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In Exodus 32:11 prayer occurs as seeking God’s favor. In 1 Samuel 1:15, we find prayer as an outpouring of one’s soul to God. In 2 Chronicles 32:20, prayer is a cry to heaven. Psalm 73:28 describes prayer as drawing near to God. There isn’t anything we can’t take to our heavenly Father in prayer. Paul wrote that we are to be anxious about nothing but that in every situation we are to bring our requests to God (Philippians 4:6-7). Through prayer we can offer praise and thanksgiving to God. We can tell Him of our love for Him. We can bask in His presence as we tell Him about every nuance of our lives. We can ask Him for wisdom, guidance, healing, forgiveness. However, all prayers need to offered in faith (James 1:6), in the name of Jesus (John 16:23), and in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).
The simple truth is that doing life on our own power is impossible. Even Jesus, the Son of God, took time to get away alone to pray. Everywhere He went, people pressed Him to be healed, to cast out a demon, to restore sight, to walk again. They listened as He taught them. They wanted to see another miracle. By going to remote places to be alone, He could pray without interruptions. If Jesus found it necessary to have the connection to God through prayer, than how much more do we need to find that connection also? As Jesus’ earthly ministry came to an end, He would face persecution, trails, heartache, and intense physical suffering. Through continual prayer, He found strength for the task set before Him. It is also the same way that we find our strength for the task that God has for us. Hebrews 4:16 tells us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. We need to make sure that we set aside time every day to spend in prayer, pouring out our hearts to God, seeking His wisdom, asking for His forgiveness and grace, confessing our sins, and interceding for others. If prayer is not part of your daily life or if you are looking to strengthen your prayer life try one of these resources:
(These links will open a new page to ChristianBook.com. Wellspring is an affiliate of Christian Book and receives a commission for any purchase made through these links. All commissions are used to further the ministry of Wellspring Christian Ministries.)
Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer
By Priscilla Shirer / B&H Books
Satan isn’t your enemy in an impersonal way; he specifically wants to destroy you! In her book, Fervent, author Priscilla Shirer brings her recent debut role in War Room into the lives of real women to show them how to renew their passion, refocus their identity, deal with regrets, defeat temptation, weather fears, and uproot bitterness. Fervent is a woman’s battle plan for serious, specific, and strategic prayer.
By Max Lucado / Thomas Nelson
Do you wish you prayed more—with more fire, faith, and fervency? Embarking on a journey to the very heart of biblical petition, Lucado explores the quotable, repeatable, portable prayer that Jesus gave his first followers when they struggled with this spiritual discipline. Discover how to have a heartfelt dialogue with God—and let the conversation begin! 192 pages, softcover from Nelson.
Battle Plan for Prayer (Bible Study Book)
By Alex Kendrick / Lifeway Church Resources
Develop a deeper walk with God as you seek the Lord for your battles first. The Battle Plan for Prayer Bible Study equips believers to create their own prayer strategy and be specific and strategic in prayer. This study features teaching by Alex and Stephen Kendrick on the topics of: what prayer is and is not, why God wants us to pray, specific areas of prayer, specific strategies for prayer, and more. The Bible Study book includes a Video Notes Section, Group Discussion Questions, and 5 days of homework for each week’s session.
Jesus, thank you for the gift of prayer. Thank you that you are interested in every aspect of our lives and that we can trust you to do only what’s in our best interest. Thank you for always hearing our prayers and that You are constantly as work in our lives even when we can’t see You at work.Â
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars: This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) Also available on Amazon and Barnes & Nobel. It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel
Looking for a speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is booking for 2019 and 2020 events. Book with us now. Click the link and fill out the online form or call us at 904.524.8073.
