Prayer is such a critical part of Christianity, that it needs additional attention. The Lord spent much time in prayer to the Father, we must therefore do likewise. As believers in Christ, the power of prayer is not to be under-estimated.
James 5:17-18
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Hence, time spent in prayer, once done correctly, is time well spent. Prayer is also critical for your spiritual survival. As mentioned on the home page, there are only Two Kingdoms, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil. There is a spiritual warfare that is in progress, since Adam and Eve were alive in the garden of Eden.
Genesis 2:15
15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Without prayer, you will find yourself personally losing spiritual battles, as this war continues to wage on. The reality is, the devil is on a rampage to get as many souls as possible to go to hell. Your prayer life keeps a hedge about you, and enables you to build your realtionship with our Heavenly Father.
Romans 8:15-16
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
In chapter 6 of the Gospel according to Matthew, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave extensive details about how to go about praying. While there are several different types of prayer, this method will be quite sufficient to get you started.
5 Simple Steps to Effective Prayer
(Note: This is a pattern, and it is not to be used as a vain repetition)
STEP 1
Matthew 6:9 (Jesus Speaking)
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
The first step in prayer is to acknowledge your relationship with God as your Father. But at the same time, you acknowledge Him as the only true majestic and merciful God and you praise Him for His goodness and His grace. This is reflected in the scripture:
Psalm 100:4-5
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
STEP 2
Matthew 6:10 (Jesus Speaking)
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
The second step is to pray that God’s kingdom be established in the earth and that His will be done on the earth. This is a warfare section of prayer. In order for God’s kingdom to be established, the works of the devil must be broken. An example of this is seen in the following scripture:
Luke 11:20 (Jesus Speaking)
20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
STEP 3
Matthew 6:11 (Jesus Speaking)
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Here you pray for your own personal daily needs, as well as acknowledge His faithfulness in providing everything that you have needed so far. This section can be further divided into 3 sections as outlined in the scripture below:
Matthew 7:7-8 (Jesus Speaking)
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.
The first level is asking, then for other things you may have to seek the Lord for and yet for other things you may need to knock. This all depends on what you are requesting of the Lord.
STEP 4
Matthew 6:12 (Jesus Speaking)
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
This is a critical key to getting answered prayer. You must forgive anyone that has wronged you. If you hold unforgiveness in your heart, then neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you of your sins, and your fellowship with Him can be broken. It is that serious. The seriousness of this point cannot be overemphasized. Even after giving this model prayer, Jesus re-emphasized the point as follows:
Matthew 6: 14-15 (Jesus Speaking)
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
STEP 5
Matthew 6: 13 (Jesus Speaking)
13 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.
In the final stage of prayer, you need to ask the Lord to guide and protect you. The following scriptures make the point clearer:
I Corinthians 10:13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
James 1:13-14
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempted he any man: 14 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Hence we need to allow the Lord to lead us, and not to go astray from him. And finally in prayer we need to once again acknowledge God for who He is and to worship Him. In closing we must say in Jesus’ name, Amen.