What is Prayer?
Believe it or not, prayer is one of the most important, if not THE most important, weapon we have in our arsenal to over come this world.
Life will throw you curve ball after curve ball, and if you are not prepared (in my mind I would say “prayed up“) it will be a lot harder for you to make contact with the ball (to continue the baseball analogy).
I hope my perspective on the subject can help.
Prayer
Definition:
Simply put, prayer is conversing with God. Not just talking to the Lord but listening. The latter is easy (being quiet before God). The former is easy as well (saying what’s on your heart). Merriam-Webster defines prayer as “an address (such as a petition) to God in word or thought.
The shortest prayer is: “God” or “Lord.”
Is it Magic?
Simply put…NO
There is a God side to prayer AND a man side.
Prayer is supernatural, so you won’t get the super if you do not do the natural.
When your prayers line up with what God says, incredible things happen. A good analogy is how magnets affect metal. Check out this video:
Magnet Experiment
When the magnet (your prayers that line up with God’s Word) get near the metal shavings (things and people around you) tend to get in line with your prayers. You still have to take action, and you will know God’s presence is with you. You can be led in your actions.
It doesn’t mean you won’t miss the mark sometimes and make mistakes. It also does not guarantee your prayers are answered in the way you think they should.
I can tell you from experience, in the end, when your heart is right, your results will match up with what God has planned. And what God plans is ALWAYS better than what we can think or imagine.
So, what is the man side?
- Give your heart to Jesus – born again
- Be filled with the Spirit
- Consistently put God’s Word in your heart (consistently, not perfectly!)
- Have an open heart to receive what God provides
So, what is God’s side?
- He makes you righteous in Jesus
- Holy Spirit will come upon you to give you “utterance” or prayers
- You will be transformed
- God can bless you beyond what you can imagine
So what can you expect?
- Effective prayers.
Check out the scriptures below:
Romans 3:22 [Amp]
This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son].
Romans 8:26-27 [Amp]
In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 27And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of [c]God’s people in accordance with God’s will.
Romans 12:2 [Amp]
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
Ephesians 3:20-21 [Amp]
Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.
James 5:16 [Amp]
Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God–it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].
Practical Application
God leads through prayer
I was in business with someone who professed to be Christian – but things did not work out. Very bad break up. During the legal work to split up the business, there was some debt that was in dispute. My wife and I fervently prayed for God’s mercy/grace/favor. Long story short, in prayer God prompted my heart to call a lawyer to step in and negotiate. Had I waited just one more day, the financial results would have been horrible. Instead, God did show mercy/grace/favor and I was able to eliminate the debt for MUCH less costs.
This is a great example of how God works. Prayer is not magic, but prayer is your communication link with the One who knows all – the One who is for you – the One who can prompt you to take the right actions at the right time. You have to add the natural to get the supernatural!