Prayer

I have told you now more than once to pray and meditate.

Do you pray? Do you know how to pray? Do you even know what prayer is?

It isn't that pat one mommy and daddy taught you. Now I lay me down to sleep..... Nope that is not what prayer is.

First, prayer is simple, but doing it right can be hard. Prayer is humbly, reverently, and boldly going to the throne of Jesus Christ and talking to God.

Humbly because He is the King of Kings.

Reverently because He is the Savior.

Boldly because He wants us to.

So what is the state of your heart when you pray?

Do you go humbly and with reverence? Do you desire His will? Or do you demand?

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Matt 26:39-42 (KJV)

Do you ask for needs or wants? Do you treat God like your loving Father or like a Genie in the Bottle?

Second, prayer like Bible study is done two ways, solo and as a group. Don't believe the religion that tells you you can do it alone just you and God. This is now how God designed it. The truth is we need alone time with God and fellowship time with the brethren.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matt 18:20 (KJV)

Third, our alone time we need to do two things pray and meditate. Start and end your day with these. Now meditation for us is not the same as the world. For Example: Paul tells us to meditate on God's word.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Phil 4:8-9 (KJV)

So I suggest you begin and end your day with a full devotional. Bible Study, Prayers, and meditation. Order and method are between you and God.

(Advise: Avoid trashlations of the Bible. The most accurate English translation is King James Version (not New King James Version) If you can read Greek or Hebrew let me do a happy dance. Greek and Hebrew are the original languages of the Bible. The Old Testament was originally in Hebrew and the New Testament was originally in Greek.)

Now you may say you said meditation for us is different and gave an example, but how do we meditate? Quiet your surroundings no music, no TV, no video games, etc... Now get comfortable, quiet your inside, and listen for a still small voice. Some days He will talk others He will just commune. To put commune in present day words it is God hanging out with us only so much better. Trying to use human words to describe it would be an understatement.

Now remember this process is daily and preferably twice.

Now for the Christian better practiced in prayer here is your portion of the lesson. (don't worry there is a conclusion for both)

Do you pray right? Do you meditate right?

Are you humble and reverent?

Do you ask for needs of others and yourself? Hop so

Do you ask for wants? Hope not

Do you demand He give you what you want? Hope not

Or do you pray for what you should?

Pray for His will in your life and the life of others?

Do you stop and listen for what He wants?

Do you remember when you pray to quiet yourself and listen to Him and allow His Holy Spirit to move?

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalms 50:15 (KJV)

Are you among the righteous or are you thinking you are and are really among the wicked?

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Isaiah 65:24 (KJV)

When you are truly His this Old Testament promise is true.

Remember this: God answers three ways.

Yes

No

Wait

So when you pray stop and listen for the answer. He also does not always show you the answer right away, but it is always answered in some manner and in God's time. Also read Jeremiah 33:3

Remember these promises to the Jews also apply to the Christian for like them we belong to Him and again we have to be waling in His ways and statues as we learn the New Testament.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matt 21:20-22 (KJV)

This verse is why the word if keeps popping into the lesson. This is not just speaking of head belief, but in you heart belief. For the true Christian it is all in the heart. No I don't mean the one pumping in your chest, but the spiritual heart the one in your very soul. The part that truly makes you who you are. Starting with the salvation prayer that you say to start you walk with Christ to your last breath before being called Home to Jesus Christ.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 11:24 (KJV)

Here it is again believe Now is time for a question. Where is your belief? Head like Satan's or heart like it should be?

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:7 (KJV)

Does God abide in (not with but in) you? If yes then what you ask you will receive for then you will ask of things in His will. If no then stop being a Sunday Christian, put on the whole armor of God, write His word on your heart, and allow Him to abide within you. Stop demanding when you pray and ask for His will.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matt 6:6-8 (KJV)

Do you pray to be seen? Or do you pray because you want to talk to God? Group prayers need to be asked the same. Do you as a group pray to be seen or pray because you as a group want to talk to God.

Remember do not be repetitive example: Lord _________ Lord ____________ Lord _____________

Hello, He already knows who you are talking to.

Do you ways Dad __________ Dad ____________ Dad ___________ or Mom ___________ Mom ____________ Mom _____________ When you have their undivided attention? If your walk meets the criteria we talked about you can guarantee you not only have His attention, but also that in His timing He will answer. You also have no reason to repeat the request over and over again. God heard you the first time.

Last note: Do not get like worldly people we are adopted Jews. A.K.A. Like them we are related to Jesus Christ. We are royalty. Our Brother is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and The End So what do they have we want We should be showing them Christ and making them want what you have and then show them how to get it by introducing them to Christ and making them want what you have and then show them how to get it by introducing them to Jesus Christ.

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matt 7:7-11 (KJV)

Do you believe this? Or are you a worry wart like the heathen? Do you protect your rear or do you allow Christ to handle it for you?

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 4:16 (KJV)

Do take all your problems to God, but do not demand. Humble yourself at the foot of the throne and request the need. Do not order Him to do it.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

1 John 5:14-15 (KJV)

Note:

Confident

His Will

Your desires have been heard. If it is not His will He will say no.

Example: An earthly father will not give a gun to a two year old. (only an idiot who is not worthy of the title dad or father would)

God sees us as His Children. God will tell us no on some things. Other things God will tells us to wait. Other things God will tell us yes and give us the desire. Unlike earthly father God knows all and sees all. (Great God)

Now for all of you here is a prayer audit.

Are you looking for things in God's will?

Are you having faith in God?

Are you asking humbly and reverently?

Are you believing in your head or heart?

Be 100% Honest with yourself and God. Or you will never grow in your walk with Him and He will not abide in you.

Think about it.

Pray about it.

Meditate on it.

Study to show yourself approved.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Tim 2:15 (KJV)

Now will you grow in Him and allow Him to abide in you?

One final and most important note. All prayers MUST be in the name of Jesus Christ. (Good reason for them to want to take His name away from us isn't it. Take His name you take our power. Don't let them win pray in Jesus Name.)