Prayer 101

Prayer 101

Prayer is cooperating with God.  It’s our part.  “We have not because we ask not.”  (James 4:2).  So, one of our responsibilities in prayer is to ask.  

What exactly is it that you want?  If you can’t answer that quickly and decisively, you may not be get your prayers answered.  At least not quickly.

When we ask, we need to be specific.  Specifically, according to God’s will.  And, I’m glad I’ve learned that God’s will is God’s Word—the Bible!

So, back to step 1:  Ask.  We do that by deciding what we want or need.  It seems to be a strange religious thing that people tend to talk all around what they want in prayer.  But if they talk with a friend they might say, “I sure do need a better car.  Mine’s broken down three times this month and I’m having a hard time just getting to work on time!”  But that’s not often how we talk with God.  In fact, many people aren’t talking to Him at all.  Or, beating around the bush.  Even Christian people!  We need to tell Him straight out.  God honors our honesty.    

Then, step 2:  Ask specifically.  We find specific scripture for what we want/need.  That scripture is God’s will in the situation.  God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).  So, if we ask according to what God has promised in His Word, He cannot lie.  That means he gives what He promised.  That also gives us confidence that we are asking for something that’s right and good (because He’s promised) and then it gives us confidence that He will answer our prayer because He keeps His Word.  Jeremiah 1:12 says, “…I will hasten my word to perform it.”  The Common English Bible says, “I’m watching over my word until it is fulfilled.”  When we pray the scripture, then God is watching that Word to perform it.  He wants to perform His Word on our behalf!!

So, we have to ask ourselves:  Are we asking?  Are we asking specifically according the Word of God?  Then, if we are, we can rejoice because our God is watching that Word to perform it.  And we know that He is not a God that lies!!  He keeps His Word—that same Word we put in our mouth to pray!