“PRAYING ALWAYS”
The issues of our culture are not merely political. They must be seen through the lens of light and dark, good and evil, right and wrong, truth and error. In the midst of exile, Ezekiel asked the question of himself and of the people of God, “How then shall we live?”
To live courageously and victoriously in desperate times, essentials must be recognized and implemented by God-followers and by the communities of faith they depend on for growth and fellowship. Earlier posts introduced seven of these essentials. The first being a return to the supremacy, authority, and sufficiency of God’s Word. This second essential, an intentional return to intercessory and imprecatory prayer, we explore here from four perspectives.
In prayer we find ourselves in an environment in which God is the pivotal center of action. Prayer places us in a posture of receptiveness before God, where He orients us to His person and purposes. As we cultivate prayer into our lives, we become aware that we are taken seriously, we realize our design, acquire dignity, and acclimate to hope. Prayer aligns the purposes and actions of heaven and earth.
MOST OF US CONSIDER PERPLEXING QUESTIONS EVEN AS WE PRAY WITH INTENTION AND INTIMACY
- What is the essence of prayer? Is prayer a learned activity?
- Is it really necessary to pray when we know that God is sovereign?
- How should we envision God when we pray?
- Are there different kinds of prayer?
- Are all answers to prayer recognizable?
- Does prayer really change things?
- Is prayer intimate communication with God or a cosmic wrestling match?
INSTEAD OF MULTITUDES OF “HOW TO” BOOKS, SCRIPTURE CAN BE OUR MOST TRUSTED GUIDE TO PRAYING
- When the characters of the Old Testament built an altar, it was a form of communication with God. (Psalm 141:2)
- Jesus prayed the SHEMA (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) every morning and evening. The word shema means “to HEAR” or give focused attention.
- There are various prayers scattered throughout the Old Testament, like the priestly prayer in Numbers 6:24-26.
- Pray your way through the Tabernacle (outer court, Holy Place, Holy of Holies), paying attention to the significance of all the pieces of furniture.
- The Psalms are God’s gift to train us in prayer; discover your own creative ways to read them as you continue to read them over a lifetime.
- Focus on the many names of God and use them in prayer.
- Consider the Lord’s Prayer, prayers of Christ in Gethsemane and in John 17, and a multitude of other prayers scattered throughout the epistles.
- As you read through the book of Acts, consider the circumstances that prompted the prayers of the early church.
- The entire book of Revelation is meant to be read as a prophetic and poetic prayer.
WHAT DO WE RECOGNIZE AS RESULTS FROM OUR PRAYER LIFE?
Before we consider this, we must acknowledge that God hears and listens to our prayers. Shouldn’t this fact alone cause us to trust Him? Sometimes He shows us results before we ask, sometimes in the process of asking, sometimes over a long period of time. Some of His answers affirm our requests and some do not. At times these answers provide clarity and some are beyond our immediate comprehension. Whether or not we get the specifics we are looking for, it is always true that God delivers intentional results.
- We are often gifted with a deeper understanding of the Word of God as we pray.
- Strength is gained in spite of personal weakness, testing, temptation, persecution, and attack from enemies.
- Discernment for our daily purpose is clarified.
- Christ is displayed to the world.
- We gain a greater awareness of eternal life – now.
AS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD GROWS AND WE CONSIDER THE CONTENT [WHAT] AND THE CRAFTING [HOW] OF OUR PRAYER, WE FIND A BALANCE OF EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL TRADITION AND WORSHIPFUL CREATIVITY.
- Even though we are to “pray without ceasing” [an abiding consciousness of God], it is edifying to have a place or location that you physically go to pray regularly – even outdoors.
- At times posture is to be considered – like kneeling or lying face down. Scripture has much to say about lifting of our hands in prayer and praise.
- When reading God’s Word, do so in an attitude of prayer.
- Pray in silence. Simply present yourself to God and listen.
- Write out your prayers.
- Read the Psalms and other prayers of Scripture aloud.
- Force yourself to pray without clichés that you have adopted from others.
- Express your prayers through the arts.
- Do an expanded translation of any prayer in Scripture:
EVERY EVENING, I will explain my need to Him.
EVERY MORNING, I will move my soul toward Him.
EVERY WAKING HOUR, I will worship Him.
And HE will HEAR and RESPOND to my PRAYER.
Psalm 55:17
PRAYER is ESSENTIAL, PRAY EARNESTLY, PRAY PASSIONATELY.
Intercede with Perseverance
Intercede with Petitions
Intercede with Intention
It’s WARFARE; It’s WITNESS, It’s WORSHIP.
Ephesians 6:18