A clear definition of prayer is, talking to God. A direct communication between the human soul and God. God created the soul, and it is important that we pray for several reasons. One it is fellowship with God, two it demonstrates our trust in God while we may be dealing with many different trials with ourselves and others. Three. prayers help us communicate emotions, desires, and hopes to our loving Father who listens to his children. Prayer can be audible, silent, public, private, formal, or informal. However, all prayer must be offered in faith, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 English Standard Bible. Prayer should always be done in reverence and humility. We should always hope for an answer even if it is “no.” When we pray it should always be in Jesus Name and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Praying can be difficult because we don’t always have the words to say, therefore the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us (gotquestions.org What is prayer). In John 16:23-24 “In that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you whatever you ask of the Father, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy will be made full.” Jesus was talking to his disciples on the occasion of his death and resurrection, that they would see him and then not see him but would see him again. He went on to tell them that if he doesn’t go to his father he cannot send the Holy Spirit who would not act on his own, but give answers according to what God has to say. The Holy Spirit acts in several ways in the believers life, he corrects, rebukes, and declares what God states. The Holy Spirit does not act on his own authority as some might believe.

          Another way that the Holy Spirit helps, “likewise the Spirit helps in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray, as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us in groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26 English Standard Version. I know so many who have been going through some of the toughest family crisis imaginable, who have lost loved ones who died in fires across the country, dying of Cancer, and many other illnesses. We know that there are times we don’t have words to comprehend the depth of our sorrow for them. Many times I have found myself without words during my own prayer time. One of the hardest things about prayer is communicating those emotions which we don’t understand. It is during these difficult moments in life that the Holy Spirit himself intercedes for us. J.C Lambert said it best, “Christian prayer in its full New Testament meaning is prayer addressed to God as Father, in the name of Christ our mediator, and through enabling grace of the indwelling Spirit” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). When we place our trust in God as our Father, our hope in Christ our mediator, and the Holy Spirit to enable his grace through his constant indwelling we have those precious moments where there is such peace in terrible circumstances.

          There is so much confusion these days about why prayer is so important. The believer prays because he desires to communicate to God all that he has inside of him. The non-believer does not have any desire to pray but will find other means (I will touch on this matter in another article). “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are “there is no God” (Psalm 10:4). A believer desires to pray and trust that God is with him throughout his life. He has a confidence not of his own but knows the grace that has been given to him. One example is when one of the disciples asked Jesus how they should pray Luke 11:1. The Lord’s Prayer is the standard barer for how we should pray; “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, but forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the Kingdom, power and glory for ever Amen! (I will be posting what each of these statements mean and their scripture references later). This standard allows us to see that we should always fear God, trust that he will always come through, and stand as witnesses of his grace and compassion.

          The Bible describes prayer as seeking God’s favor; at times we find ourselves in dire straights sadly due to our disobedience of his word. An example of this is when Moses prays to God about the Israelites who had just been delivered out of the hands of the Egyptian Pharor. After 400 years of captivity and made slaves to do the work of building the Pyramids. The Israelites often complained to Moses about the things they had need of, instead of going before God in prayer. Moses then implored of God about the situation seeking his favor Exodus 32:11. In other occasions we find Hannah pouring out her soul unto the Lord. She suffered so much due to her inability to give her husband a child (1Sammual 1:15). How many of us have wept before the Lord in anguish over a matter that pushed us to our wits end. I know I have plenty of time. God knew I desired to attend Bible College, and to have a healthy relationship with my mother. He also knows of other desires I have and hopes they come to pass soon. There is nothing wrong with humbling ourselves to seek after God in our distress and when we desire to have something within the Biblical parameters given to us. It is when we go outside those biblical parameters that we strive for those things only to tire ourselves out.

          Prayer is more about humbling ourselves before our Father; crying out to the heavens in hope for answers in faith that they will come in times of great trials and tribulation. Some of us are dealing with such things as I speak and the main issue is often to care for our families, to help friends who are lost in the sea of false doctrine, having confidence that God will help them through even when we don’t see any evidence. We pray knowing God is both faithful and just, holding on to faith that good fruit will be produced even in a world full of sin. God was faithful to Hezikiah when Sennacherib tried to discourage the people of Israel and tried to take over the inhabitants. God was faithful to deliver them from Sennacherib hands 2Chronicles 32:20. Prayer is also about drawing near to God no matter what we are dealing with. Psalm 73:28 “But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have put my trust in the Lord my God, that I may declare all your works.” One of the most difficult times in my life came when I was faced with the mortality of my grandpa Boutwell. When he passed away I had one of the worst times trying to figure out what I was going to do without him. After all he was my best friend, his kindness, love and sternness had led me to realize what I needed the most. God. The death of my grandpa led me to draw close to God during a time of grieving. I hurt so bad inside and at the same time I was drawn to be strong for my family. Cancer has taken many of the lives in my family; as well as friends throughout my life. I had learned to be alone, learned to accept the way things are in my life and within the world.

          Drawing near to God seems to feel like you must have bad things going on before we feel we need him. But this just isn’t the case. There have been many times I knew I was close to God even when there were times of success. I didn’t feel so alone when I questioned my own identity and purpose. Though I struggled through it for nearly 20 years, I found myself on my knees during the most difficult time humanity has faced during the pandemic. The drawing near to God is humbling because you are putting your trust in Him while watching family members die, friends suffer, and the world spiral out of control due to suffering they’ve experienced. I remember when the Murra Building in Oklahoma City was bombed, my dad had an appointment that day. I didn’t know that it had been canceled nearly an hour before the bomb went off. Years later I found out my mother was only blocks away when the bomb went off. She was supposed to be there for a Social Security Disability Hearing. Years later another event would trigger those memories as two planes hit the twin towers in New York City. Banks were placed on terrorist watch list. At the time my mom worked for a bank in Charolett, NC. When I think back remembering the terror the United States faced then. I realized we all drew closer to God. Many families lost loved ones back then and the pandemic was no different. It was just another attack in a different form. As we draw closer to God the Holy Spirit comforts, encourages, and corrects us. Our focus should always be on God no matter the circumstances we are facing. God is sovereign, omniscient, and omnipresent he knows every hair on your head and knows the very outcome of each of your trials no matter how hard it is for you to see it.

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches and glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and how to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21).

   Bow the knee. There is so much humility when we submit before God all those areas that cause conflict within us. How many of us have been faced with trials and often we complain instead of just bowing the knee before God. Trusting him in the circumstances even though it looks as if our situation may blow up right in our faces. God does not need our help, but he does expect us to bow the knee in humility, trust him in the situation, and recognize we cannot add a single day to our lives by worrying. He knows when will become ill with some sickness, he knows when we will make the decision to leave a job because the company became unethical or forcing some to ignore their Biblical Morals. Yet even through the nay saying we stand on the principles of God’s word. Yahweh made it clear that we would suffer even as Christians. Whether that suffering is caused by our bad decisions, due to our sin nature, or by those who hate the Word of God. We suffer for Christ sake.

Do not be anxious or worry about anything.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).

          The Book of Philippians is a well-liked book, but often taken out of context. In chapter one the Apostle Paul is rebuking the church of Philippi for their selfishness and admonishes them to focus on Christ. In Chapter 2 Paul is discussing the issues of false teachers that had come to discourage and distort the Gospel of Christ, trying to wreck their confidence in what they had learned. Chapter 3 Paul was also dealing with the Law and it equal balance with the Gospel. The beginning of chapter 4 Paul was dealing with the discord between women in the church see Philippians 4:2. Moving forward Paul admonitions the church to “rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice.” Going further in stating that even in much and in little to continue to be content no matter the circumstances. He gives instructions on how we are to approach God when we are faced with anxiety and troubles of all kinds. We are to go before God in humility and fear pleading with God to help us through. We are to give God our thanksgiving in all things, letting our request be known and in doing so the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

          Paul was giving the church of Philippi the same format that Jesus had taught his disciples of the Lord’s Prayer. We should come before God with thanksgiving, plead with Him in fear and trembling before a Sovereign and mighty creator who is the authority of all creation. Paul was suffering greatly for Christ, he knew that the church of Philippi was anxious about his demise. He was after all a missionary and they had supported him. He gave them words of warning of false teachers and prophets, rebuked them for sinning, but admonished them and encouraged them regardless of how he was feeling and the circumstances he was in. Paul re-emphasized the Lords Prayer, teaching the church of Philippi how they should go before God in prayer and petition. Not declaring and decreeing anything.

          “We are to pray without ceasing” 1Thessalonians 5:17. This is by far one of the most difficult things we are faced with. Praying without ceasing can seem nerve recking and repetitive. For example, at times God gives an answer we don’t like. That answer is usually “No” yes, it is an answer. God does not give an answer of maybe. It is either yes or no, it is never middle of the road. Many do not like this answer and try to make it so they can get what they want. James is very clear about this distinction. We have not because ask not because we ask from wrong motive. We war against God out of our selfishness, and this causes many problems. It can cause us to lose family, friends, and neighbor for the sake of wanting what we want.

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but you don’t have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:1-3.

          Sadly, James was talking about Christians who wanted what they wanted and would do anything to get it no matter whom they hurt or who they had to step over. I have personally seen this take place in places I’ve worked. It is hard to forgive other Christians who may or may not know that they are doing these things to their brothers and sisters in Christ. I have seen this even in churches I’ve attended. They declare and decree for things they want, but it isn’t prayer and because it isn’t prayer and they do not receive what they want they do not realize that the way they come before God is irreverent. If we come before God with humility and good motives, God will answer favorably. It may not be the way you thought it would be, but God gives good gifts.

          Lastly, I would like to say that recently I was reminded that David wrote a great deal of prayers. David had many trails and ran on several occasions from his enemies but always faced his sins and repented reverently before God.

          “O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hand as the evening sacrifice! Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity; and let me not eat of their delicacies! Let a righteous man strike me-it is a kindness; let him rebuke me- it is oil for my head; let my head bot refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds. When their judges are thrown over the cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As when on plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol. But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.” (Psalm 141:1-10).

Grace and peace be with you. I pray for each of you daily in hopes for good to come to you from our Father through His son Jesus Christ and confidence in His precious word.

                                                References

          What Is Prayer? Got Questions Ministries 2022. Gotquestions.org/what is prayer. Retrieved August 7, 2023.

          What is the meaning. “You have not because you ask not” James 4:2. Got Questions Ministries February 2023. Gotquestion.org/what is the meaning of you have not because you ask not James 4:2. Retrieved September 18, 2023.