Prayer
I often think about prayer. Quite often I wonder if God is looking at me, while I pray, or is it like a voicemail. I really don't think it's a voicemail, but it's an interesting thought. I know God hears the prayers of all who call to him. I have seen God answer some of my prayers, but sometimes it's been years later, after I started requesting God's help. The Bible teaches us, that we have free will, and God lets us choose, which direction to take. How does this apply when we pray? I have learned, that we must be specific with what we ask for in prayer. I have had quite a few people tell me they asked God for help. I asked how they did that. I usually get a look of confusion when I ask questions like this. When I dig deeper into the issue, I find that they really say to God, "God, help me." Then they usually proceed to say, that God knows their issue. I know that God knows everything, but that is a very vague request. God knows all, and when we read The Bible, we learn that being specific, in our prayers, is a common theme throughout The Bible. When David spoke to God, he said what was on his heart. He was very clear in his request. Daniel was very clear with his prayers. God wants us to open up to him. It doesn't matter what he knows, forhe wants to hear us speak our hearts to him. When God was asking Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:9, Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Do you think God didn't know? Do you think God was oblivious to what had happened? Of course he knew. God wanted to hear what Adam had to say. He still wants to hear exactly what is on our hearts. He wants us, to tell him about all our troubles, and our desires. When we pray, we are speaking directly to God. The veil, in the Holy of Holies, was ripped in half, when Jesus gave his life for us. This has opened the door, so we can go straight to God.
Matthew 27:50-51 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.
At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
The word “veil” in Hebrew means a screen, divider or separator that hides. It separated a Holy God from sin. This veil has been removed. No one can keep us away from God. We need to take this for all that we can, by going to The thrown of God for all things. No longer do we have to go to a priest or anyone else, for we can do it ourselves. Speak your heart to God, and do it often. When we pray, God answers in different ways. He might speak to you in your head, he might give you an audible answer, he might give you a desire to do something or not, he might send someone to you, as a messenger, or he might give you signs, as he has for me many times. I have prayed before, asking God something specific, then I would see a specific sign on the road, and then I would see other answers in books I would read. When I pray about things, I give it to God, and wait until he leads me to my answer. I don't try to find my own answers any more. When I try to find my own answers, it usually leads to more confusion. When God leads me to my answer, It becomes clear and their isn't any confusion.
God can do extraordinary things for us, which we could never do without him. We can't change anyone, nor will God force anyone to change. God can remind someone of things, which can lead to a change of heart. If someone wants to change something about themselves, and they ask God for help, then God will help.
Prayer starts every mission on the road to success, Prayer conquers a battle, Prayer brings God closer to us, Prayer changes a heart and delivers people from the clutches of evil, Prayer is a gift from God. I do now that God, knowing all things, seeing all things, has my best interest in mind. If I don't see an answer to a prayer, I do know God is working in my behalf.
Prayers do have to be aligned with The Word of God. God will not help you sin, nor will he lead you into it.
John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Psalms 34:17 - [The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Psalms 145:18- The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Proverbs 15:29- The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
James 4:3- When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Matthew 5:44- But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Soldier4lordJesus
4-02-2016