Judeo-Christian prayer connects Fellowship between God and humans as a communion (experienced relationship) reflecting the forms of the social relations of humanity (such as friendship, groom-bride, parent-child).
After studying prayer, I have less stress and pressure on myself. Praying is essentially talking to God in the name of Jesus who mediates on our behalf and the Holy Spirit who interprets on our behalf. Leaving Lord God (using Lord God instead of just God reminds you there’s a relationship between you and God and it’s not just a religious figurehead you’re praying to) to answer according to His will. So we submit our praise, gratitude, thanksgiving, recollection of God’s past answered prayers along with our request simply by speaking with God. Then leave it. God will send a response when He sends it. We must recognize it, accept it and honor it. Most importantly, do not think we have any sway in what happens. He can consider your request. God answers however He answers though. We can either accept and do as God says. Or use our free will and accept what may or may not happen. Don’t forget He can answer in a way you didn’t think about or see coming.
God is the central figure of worship as creator + redeemer. Worship is mediated through Jesus. Worship is actualized by power of the Holy Spirit. The expressions of Worship include Sacrifice of one’s body to God, Sacrifice of one’s possessions for God and Sacrifice of one’s praise to God. Sacrifice is the act of giving up something that you want to keep especially in order to get or do something else or to help someone.
Understanding that prayer is a form of worship helps enlighten you to freely flow during this time. To open up, speak to and listen to God.
Now let’s break down prayer so our talks with God are more enjoyable, intentional as well as effective. Now sometimes you will pray when you’re going through a really difficult time or situation. Understanding prayer, how to pray and the power of prayer will help you speak with God during that time. In the midst of a difficult situation, prayer will be the thing you choose to do first once you know how to pray with intention.
Prayer is a continuous dialogue with God that shares the desires of your heart.
Here are some terms to help you know what should go in your prayers.
● Adoration= deep love, respect, worship.
● Confession=formal statement admitting guilt.
● Thanksgiving= gratitude, praise.
● Petitionary= expressing a petition/request to do something.
● Supplication= action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.
● Efficacious= successful in producing a desired or intended result ie what God has already done for you. Or what you want God to do for you.
Prayer is often a struggle between two wills. Ours and Gods. In which prayer attempts to persuade God. Even though we’re not equal covenant partners. Our human nature comes through as we complain, question and have passionate feelings during prayer sometimes. Importunity in prayer (the persistence, to the point of annoyance) is probably what your church taught especially when you were going through a challenging time or wanted your will to be done. But the Bible says that only worked sometimes. So read what has been shared about prayer to fully grasp the purpose of it.
Prayer’s form, content and efficacy belong to the divine economy of human Salvation. While work and prayer are taught to go hand in hand, work cannot substitute prayer. The harvest ultimately depends on factors outside of human control. Prayer and service cannot be separated from each other. Prayer is not substituted for righteousness. True prayer is when one is simultaneously actively seeking good. To produce encouragement, guidance and power in one’s work. Basis of prayer is the recollection of God’s acts in history. Failure to recall God’s past acts might prevent a favorable response to prayer. Prayer is ultimately a response to the prior activity of God. Primary divine act of God’s new revelation in Jesus Christ in whom all the promises of God find their “yes”. Believers are urged to pray by the omnipresence of God’s work in the deepest places of our souls. Long story short, don’t forget what God has already done and promised.
#1 Prayer is to be prayed “ in the name of Jesus”. Signifies taking the posture and attitude of Christ towards God and the world. We’re praying in our new identity. It’s only effective if we’re truly living in the name of Jesus. “In the name of Jesus” is keeping with God’s Will. This saves us from praying in a selfish, self-centered for personal gain manner.
#2 Prayer is mediated by Christ. When He ascended to heaven, his human condition allowed him to empathize with us. Therefore being able to speak to God on our behalf. Jesus is the ultimate intercessor.
#3 Prayer is prompted and guided by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit interprets our prayer to regulate and purify our requests with the mind of God.
We think or believe God didn’t “hear” or “answer” our prayer. But if petitionary prayer is a request, then we ultimately are leaving it to God to either grant or not grant the prayer. No long, eloquent prayer will make a difference. In other words, you can’t pray harder or longer to get God to bend to your will if it doesn’t align with His Will. There could be reasons why God doesn’t “hear” or “answer” your prayer such as broken taboos, divine displeasure with your behavior, sin, selfish ends i.e. requests, etc.
The silence of God is unexplainable at times.
#1 Prayers are assumed to be answered in due time. In accordance with God’s Will. Making God’s silence seem temporary.
#2 Prayers not answered how we want gives the appearance of God’s silence because it’s a response we didn’t ask for. This can reveal a moral problem on our part when we’re praying. In other words, praying selfishly.
#3 Not receiving the specific answer requested. God may hear our intentions and not our words. Because our intention may be out of God’s Will. So God gives us exactly what our wicked intention sought thus bringing our own damnation to existence.
Answers to prayer are rooted in God’s graciousness and faithfulness to His promises. Not to our rights or will or even our intention.
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