Prayer. Simple? Complicated? Both I believe. Thankfully, Jesus left us an example or an outline to help in this all important endeavor. Here is the first thing He tells the disciples when they ask Him to teach them to pray:
" After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." And Jesus also tells us in the Bible that no man can come to the Father but by him. What's more, he said "I and my Father are one." Below are three verses that confirm this truth:
Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
I Corinthians 1:1-3 ..called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
For more scripture on this go to http://jesusalive.cc/jesusisgod.htm
When we pray we need to recognize Him as our Heavenly Father. After all Heaven is His throne. And we are to approach Him with the understanding that His character and therefore His name is holy. It isn't a light thing to be able to come before the living God, to enter into His presence and petition Him. He won't hear unrepentant and prideful prayers.
15" For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57
How glorious and magnificent that Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings, wants to dwell with us and to revive our sin troubled hearts. It is a life-changing place. Being in his presence will heal us and fill us with His joy and love. If your heart feels like a dry barren desert then open it up to Jesus' living waters.
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 24
Prayer is seeking God for who is, not only for the blessings and help He can bring to our lives. He longs for us to surrender ourselves on the altar of prayer where he will be able to transform us into His own image. Then and only then will we have the grace and love to reflect His likeness onto a dark and sinful world. This is the reason He chose to die on that old rugged cross-the emblem of suffering and shame.
The life changing place is surrendering in prayer to Jesus Christ. Like a potter molds and shapes a piece of clay He desires to make something beautiful and useful out of our lives. Surrender with your heart, your mind, and your lips. You can trust that He will accept your sacrifice. The moment He said "It is finished." the way was paved for all believers to" come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
Prayer is seeking God for who is, not only for the blessings and help He can bring to our lives. He longs for us to surrender ourselves on the altar of prayer where he will be able to transform us into His own image. Then and only then will we have the grace and love to reflect His likeness onto a dark and sinful world. This is the reason He chose to die on that old rugged cross-the emblem of suffering and shame.
The life changing place is surrendering in prayer to Jesus Christ. Like a potter molds and shapes a piece of clay He desires to make something beautiful and useful out of our lives. Surrender with your heart, your mind, and your lips. You can trust that He will accept your sacrifice. The moment He said "It is finished." the way was paved for all believers to" come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man’s disposition.
The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him.
Our understanding of God is the answer to prayer.
“The whole meaning of prayer is that we may know God.”
― Oswald Chambers
― Oswald Chambers
