I tried before to do a blog series on prayer but there was much of it I didn't like so I deleted all those posts and will now do one blog on prayer... "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" Matthew 6:9-13 KJV. The disciples had asked Jesus to teach them to pray and this was His reply. So what do these words mean?? It doesn't mean we just pray these same words in rote over and over. Just imagine being with someone who only said the same exact same words to you over and over. Wouldn't that drive you crazy?? GOD is more patient then us true but we are to be in a growing relationship with Him and to just say the same words over and over in rote is not growing. So what are we to pray?? First we are to tell the truth. It doesn't help to lie to GOD that's not a good idea and if you are tempted to lie to Him think of Ananias and Sapphira. Next we need to know who we are and who GOD is. It helps to know who you are and who the person your talking to is when conversing. We as Christians are GOD's children John 1:12 , as disciples we are friends of Jesus Christ John 15:15 , we have been justified Romans 5:1 , we are united with the Lord, and are one with Him in spirit 1 Corinthians 6:17 , we have been bought at a price and belong to GOD 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , we are members of Christ's body 1 Corinthians 12:27 , we have been chosen by GOD and adopted as His children Ephesians 1:3-8 , we have been redeemed and forgiven of all of our sins Colossians 1:13-14 , we are complete in Christ Colossians 2:9-10 , we have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ Hebrews 4:14-16, we are free from condemnation Romans 8:1-2 , GOD works for our good in all circumstances Romans 8:28 , we are free from any condemnation brought against us and we cannot be separated from the love of GOD Romans 8:31-39 , we have been established, anointed and sealed by GOD 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 , we are hidden in Christ GOD Colossians 3:1-4 , we can be confident that the good work GOD started us He will complete Philippians 1:6 , we are citizens of Heaven Philippians 3:20 , we have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7 , we are born of GOD and the evil one can't touch us 1 John 5:18 , we are branches of Jesus Christ the true vine and a channel of His life John 15:5 , we have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit John 15:16 , we GOD's temple 1 Corinthians 3:16 , we are ministers of reconciliation for GOD 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 , we are seated with Christ in the Heaven;y realm Ephesians 2:6 , we are GOD's workmanship Ephesians 2:10 , we can approach GOD with freedom and with confidence Ephesians 3:12 , we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us Philippians 4:13. That is who we are as Christians so now we need to know who GOD is. There is always more to learn about GOD since He is infinite we can never get to the end of GOD. But I can give you a little list of who GOD is just to start you off. GOD is eternal 1 Timothy 1:17 , GOD is holy Revelation 4:8 , GOD is unchanging Malachi 3:6 , GOD is infinite Revelation 1:8 , GOD is all powerful Matthew 19:26 , GOD is everywhere 1 Kings 8:27 , GOD is all knowing 1 John 3:20 , GOD is self existent Genesis 1:1 , GOD is good Psalm 100:5 , GOD is love 1 John 4:8 , GOD is gracious Psalm 145:8 , GOD is merciful Acts 17:11 , GOD is just 2 Thessalonians 1:6 , GOD is sovereign 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 , GOD is our Heavenly Father 1 Corinthians 8:6 , GOD never breaks His promises Joshua 21:45 , GOD does not lie Numbers 23:19. There is more but you'll discover more as you learn and grow in GOD. Next is look forward to Jesus coming back as that's a good thing. Nothing for Christians to fear about Christ returning. Also pray for GOD's will not just your own. Most often our prayers sound like this "gimme what I want and when You do I'll be happy then I'll ask for more." The world does not revolve around you. Ask Him to help you want what He wants and as you learn and grow in GOD you'll start wanting what He wants naturally. Its ok though to ask for the things you want and need just like if your a parent its ok for your kids to ask you for what they need and want isn't it?? What they ask maybe you'll say no but its still ok for them to ask. Well if you feel that way GOD does multiplied by infinity and for those of you who didn't have parents who feel that way just think of the one person you are closest to and multiply what the feel for you by infinity. Be specific and if you can't be specific cause your to upset or stressed don't worry GOD knows what you need and will still take care of you so just rest in Him you'll be fine. Ask His forgiveness for your sins as soon as possible don't delay as there is no point in delaying it. You can't hide your sin from Him He knows so you might as well just admit it to Him and repent. Then move on don't try to punish yourself by staying miserable or whatever it is you do to punish yourself by doing that your saying what Jesus did on the cross wasn't good enough so you must add to it. So after repenting no longer think of what you did cause GOD won't He'll forget about it cause He loves you just think of what Jesus did for you instead and move on. Also remember to forgive others and keep in mind that in GOD's eyes your just as sinful as they are and GOD didn't have to forgive you He chose to cause He loves you. When being tempted remember to pray and tell GOD your temptation its ok to tell Him that Jesus was tempted so temptation is not a sin. And last but not least give GOD the worship He deserves when you pray. Doesn't have to be talking you can sing to Him if you want or whatever it is you do in worship. Prayer is just a fancy way of saying your talking with GOD. Keep in mind you can't manipulate Him to do what you want so don't try. Tell Him everything no matter how small or big. I've told Him when I was bored or hungry. Think of that one person you are closest to and how excited they are to hear the smallest detail out of you when you have been away on trip well that is like GOD only GOD is like that multiplied by infinity 24/7. He wants to hear from you and looks forward to talking with you. Don't be nervous about GOD finding out something He already knows so you'll never surprise Him or shock Him. You don't have to wait in a line or something to talk to Him you can talk to Him anytime GOD never takes a vacation and He never sleeps. GOD will never be to busy for you. There is nothing you can't talk about with GOD no subject is off limits. You'll never tire Him out or bore Him. And there is no roaming fee so you can pray and walk which is what I like to do. You can pray anywhere even in the shower if you want I know someone who said they once prayed while on the toilet so no place is off limits. There is no time limit on how long you can talk to Him. You don't have to sit or stand a certain way to pray. You don't have to dress a certain way or be in a certain mood to pray just be yourself. Its never to late to pray until you are dead and in Heaven you'll continue to talk with Him constantly. Notice I say that we are to talk with GOD and not to GOD?? There is a difference. Way to many times we talk and say amen and we don't listen to His answer. In order to talk with someone you have to listen and if you are talking you are not listening. Its impossible to talk and listen to someone else at the same time. And if you are thinking of something to say while someone else is talking then you are not listening. "Be still, and know that I am GOD! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world" Psalm 46:10 NLT.... Now if you are not yet a Christian then you are not a child of GOD. I know the world says everyone is but that's not true in order to be His child you must be born again into His family. If you want to be born again first realize that you are sinner and that GOD is just in sending you to hell for your sins and you deserve that punishment. Know that you can't save yourself no matter what you say, feel, think or do. No one at all but Jesus Christ can save you. Jesus is the only way to the Father. Jesus is GOD's only begotten Son who was sent to die in your place and receive the punishment that was for you. Jesus came and lived on this earth and He died on a cross for all your past, present and future sins. The wrath of GOD was upon Him for you. Then after three days He rose again conquering sin, death and the grave. Then He ascended to Heaven where He is right now at the Father's right hand side. He then sent His Spirit into the world and everyone who is Christian has His Spirit living in them. "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9 NIV. If you have done this congratulations and welcome to the family. GOD is now your Heavenly Father and every Christian is your brother or sister. If you haven't I wanna ask you what are you waiting for?? If you wait till after you die it will be to late then and your time could be up at any moment no one knows when they will die....
