Prayer
Relationship
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NLT Philippians 4:6-7
"Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. NASB Mark 11:24
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. NLT Luke 18:9-14
"Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. NASB Mark 11:24
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. NLT Luke 18:9-14
What is Prayer
Prayer is the strength of our relationship with God. Can you say that you have a good relationship with someone you never talk to? No. How about if they never talk to you? No. The same can be said for our relationship with God. Prayer looks like a lot of different things but commonly we think of a person with their hands together or on their knees as praying. Prayer is any time you hear from God or are talking to God (out loud or in your mind.) It is communication, just that simple. Below is definitions of prayer; what is missing from the definitions is hearing from God. The world is "sure" that God does not talk to people. Nothing short of Jesus' return will convince them otherwise.
Definition of PRAY
transitive verb
1 : entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea <pray be careful>
2 : to get or bring by praying
intransitive verb
1 : to make a request in a humble manner
2 : to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving
Definition of PRAYER
1 a (1) : an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought <said a prayer for the success of the voyage>
(2) : a set order of words used in praying b : an earnest request or wish
2 : the act or practice of praying to God or a god <kneeling in prayer>
3 : a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers —often used in plural
4 : something prayed for
5 : a slight chance <haven't got a prayer>~
From Webster's Dictionary
Definition of PRAY
transitive verb
1 : entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea <pray be careful>
2 : to get or bring by praying
intransitive verb
1 : to make a request in a humble manner
2 : to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving
Definition of PRAYER
1 a (1) : an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought <said a prayer for the success of the voyage>
(2) : a set order of words used in praying b : an earnest request or wish
2 : the act or practice of praying to God or a god <kneeling in prayer>
3 : a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers —often used in plural
4 : something prayed for
5 : a slight chance <haven't got a prayer>~
From Webster's Dictionary
Types of Prayer
Praise, Worship & Thanksgiving Prayers - Most people don't say these kinds of prayers. But the bible tells us that prayers that tell God thank you for what He has done and praise Him, bring us closer to Him. If you have never tried it, pray a prayer that only gives thanks for all you have and for the things God has done for you. Tell Him how great you think He is. When I do this I walk away from that time feeling clean, like I just took a spiritual shower and my feelings towards God become stronger. In my experience, God speaks to me clearer when I pray this way.
Supplication/Petition (Request) Prayers - This is the most familiar prayer to most people. We ask God to do something for us. God wants us to ask him for things, to be honest with him about our desires.
Intercession Prayers - This is a request prayer but instead of the request being for ourselves, we ask God to do something for someone else. God ask us to do this. It does two things that I can think of; 1 - It protects those that may not pray for themselves and strengthens the prayers of those that do pray for themselves. 2 - It deepens the compassion we have for others when we pray for them.
Confession Prayers - These prayers are in response to any sin that has become apparent to you. God's love is not conditional but to recieve the forgiveness He offers requires repentance. We can know that God is faithful to forgive us when we seek right relationship with Him and others. If we never seek it, we will never recieve it.
Meditative Prayers - This type of prayer is done with the word of God, the bible. You focus on a part of scripture, you ask God to explain it to you. This is one of the ways that the word can really get into your heart. Repeat it, ponder what God is saying.
Consecration & Declaration Prayers - In this type of prayer you state outloud that you belong to God. You state how God says He sees you. You speak out God's will as stated in the bible. You speak out what God is doing in transforming you (speak out what God says is true about you even if it does not match your experiences). These don't have to be about just you. They can be statements about someone else, or even a group of people.
Supplication/Petition (Request) Prayers - This is the most familiar prayer to most people. We ask God to do something for us. God wants us to ask him for things, to be honest with him about our desires.
Intercession Prayers - This is a request prayer but instead of the request being for ourselves, we ask God to do something for someone else. God ask us to do this. It does two things that I can think of; 1 - It protects those that may not pray for themselves and strengthens the prayers of those that do pray for themselves. 2 - It deepens the compassion we have for others when we pray for them.
Confession Prayers - These prayers are in response to any sin that has become apparent to you. God's love is not conditional but to recieve the forgiveness He offers requires repentance. We can know that God is faithful to forgive us when we seek right relationship with Him and others. If we never seek it, we will never recieve it.
Meditative Prayers - This type of prayer is done with the word of God, the bible. You focus on a part of scripture, you ask God to explain it to you. This is one of the ways that the word can really get into your heart. Repeat it, ponder what God is saying.
Consecration & Declaration Prayers - In this type of prayer you state outloud that you belong to God. You state how God says He sees you. You speak out God's will as stated in the bible. You speak out what God is doing in transforming you (speak out what God says is true about you even if it does not match your experiences). These don't have to be about just you. They can be statements about someone else, or even a group of people.
Fasting
And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. NLT Matthew 6:16-18
Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. We have fasted before you!' they say. 'Why aren't you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don't even notice it!' "I will tell you why!" I respond. "It's because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? "No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. "Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. NLT Isaiah 58:2-8
Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. We have fasted before you!' they say. 'Why aren't you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don't even notice it!' "I will tell you why!" I respond. "It's because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? "No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. "Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. NLT Isaiah 58:2-8
What are the reasons for fasting?
1. To draw closer to God.
2. You need the wisdom of God about a matter.
3. The matter at hand needs God's intervention.
4. There is no peace in your spirit about the matter when you pray.
5. In prayer God has asked you to fast.
1. To draw closer to God.
2. You need the wisdom of God about a matter.
3. The matter at hand needs God's intervention.
4. There is no peace in your spirit about the matter when you pray.
5. In prayer God has asked you to fast.
Hearing God
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
His delight is in the fear of the LORD,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; NKJ Isaiah 11:2-3
But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ NKJ Jeremiah 7:23
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. NKJ John 6:44-45
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. NLT 1 Corinthians 2:9-12
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. NKJ John 16:12-15
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
His delight is in the fear of the LORD,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; NKJ Isaiah 11:2-3
But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ NKJ Jeremiah 7:23
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. NKJ John 6:44-45
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. NLT 1 Corinthians 2:9-12
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. NKJ John 16:12-15
Learning to hear God. There are several ways God can speak to us. He has given us many ways to listen for Him. A mistake we often make is to focus on just one way to hear God. When we do this we can easily miss what God is saying.
The Scriptures
The Bible - I can not stress how important it is to know the word of God. This is the way that we can jugde all the other ways we hear from God. Nothing God ever tells you will go against what He has put in the bible. You can't test what you are hearing without being familar with the scriptures. This should be the first test that all other ways we hear from God are examined against.
The Holy Spirit Speaking to You
Prayer is one of the most impactful ways God speaks to us. It is the most intimate way. But again many expect God to speak to us in a set way. God can speak to us several different ways in prayer. The "still small voice" is the one that most people expect and God often does speak this way. But God can also show you pictures or a vision of something. He may speak through changing your emotions as you pray. He may bring up memories. The thing to remember is that God is spirit, so He is not limited in the ways He can speak to us. He will speak to you through your mind, spirit and body. It is important to test what we get in prayer against the other ways God speaks to us.
Godly Counsel
Mature Christians are rare today, but you will recognize them by the fruit of the Spirit displayed in their personal lives. Their guidance is a treasure in our walks.
The Peace of God
Peace in your spirit. I am not talking about no troubles in your life kind of peace. In this life we will have troubles, but Jesus promised that we would have peace in Him in those times. If you don't feel the loving guidance of God's hand when you hear a word that might be from God, the chances are that it is not from God. God will ask us to do things that go against our sinful nature, and in those times we may feel uncomfortable, but we should still have peace.
Personal Prophecy
The gift of prophecy was given to us to stregnthen, encourage and comfort us. Today we still need prophecy, but as we come closer to the end of this age, deception will increase. So it is important to check every word of prophecy before you except it. Take that which is good from it, but don't just focus on getting a word of prophecy to guide your life.
Multiple Sources of Confirmation
More than coincidence. This is the one that we all should learn to use. Don't ever rely on just one source when you are testing to see if a word is from God. I love when God gives someone else the same words I recieved while praying. Share what you have received from God with others. God ask us to do this in His word, but we also get the benifit of finding out that others are hearing the same thing. (If they are not, do not be discouraged, it may be a word for just you or He is allowing you to learn how to hear Him better by letting you learn how He "sounds" different than other sources (the flesh, the enemy, the world).
Circumstances
Open or closed doors and signs pointing you in a direction. Most of these are suttle opportunities that come up in life that point you down a path for life (friends, jobs, the area you live in, time of the year). Things just sort of line up. It can be a big interuption in your life (good or bad). You could have a spiritual incounter, the voice of God, an angel visitation. Big or small all these things should be tested against the other ways we hear from God before we say it must be God's will.