What is prayer?

Beloved in Christ, an excellent author defined prayer thus, "Prayer is a form of communication with the divine, whether it be God, a deity, or a transcendent power". In Christianity, prayer is the primary means we talk to God. Prayer enables us to pour out our thoughts, our emotions, our pains and the way we feel in general before our God. God is our father and he is sovereign, he knows our deepest desires and yet still entreats us to come before him in prayer. Every parent loves it when their little children speaks to them, and presents their petitions before them. In like manner, since we are in an eternal relationship with God, he loves it when we relate with him as our father, he loves it when we can come before him and actually speak to him about everything.

Exhortations to Pray

Prayer can be done in private, whether audibly or in silence or in a public settings. What matters is that the individual communicates with God from the depth of his or her heart. 

The exhortation for Christians to pray can be found in every page of the bible. Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans: Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer (Romans 12; 12). The apostle by the Spirit encourages us to pray and to be devoted to prayer. The Greek word for, "devoted" is the word, "proskartereō" and it means, "to give one's self continually". So the apostle is exhorting us to give our self continually to prayer, in other words, we should pray without ceasing.

 Apostle James also wrote in his letter: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5; 16). It is a good thing for us to pray and intercede for each other. Since we are righteous in Christ, our prayers avails much. 

Jude also wrote by the inspiration of the Spirit in these words: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude: 1; 20). Jude tells us to build ourselves in our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. To pray in the Holy Spirit is to pray in accordance to the leading of the Spirit. The Spirit will always lead us to pray scriptural prayers, prayers which are consistent with God's word

In the book of Philippians, it is written: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4: 6). Here, the apostle is saying that instead of being worried, we are to channel our worries into prayer and thanksgiving and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard our hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ, our perfect example 

Jesus Christ was a Man of prayer. He was always in a close communion with the father through prayer. Even in the midst of his busy schedules, he often retired to an isolated place to pray. Matthew wrote: 

"After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone" (Matthew 14; 23).

In the gospel of Mark, it is also written: In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there (Mark 1; 35). I often pray early in the morning, because my blessed Lord did the same. It is good to cultivate the habit of praying early in the morning.

Even in his agony, he prayed: And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground (Luke 22; 44). When our soul is cast down, even in those periods, like Jesus, let us still pray because it will sustain us in those weak moments.

On the cross, in his dying moments, he was still communicating with God in prayer: And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23; 46). Jesus on earth was a praying person, and he is our perfect model. Therefore, let us see to it that we emulate his prayer life.

Praying Amiss

Some people believe God answers long prayers and rejects the short ones. But the truth of the matter is that God hears and answers short prayers in as much as he hears and answers the long ones. When you pray with the wrong motive, your prayers will not be answered. 

James dealt with this in his epistle: You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4; 3). The state of our heart in prayer is very important. It is not about the kind of vocabulary we use, but our prayer must align with God's will, for that is the way we can receive answers to our prayers. God's will is encapsulated in his word. When our prayers concurs with God's word, we know we are praying in accordance to his will. John wrote: This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him (1 John 5; 14-15).

The throne of Grace 

In the old testament, no one could enter into the presence of God, save the high priest. The way into the holiest was shut up against the people. No one could gain admission into the most holy place, except the high priest and even with that, it was once a year. But after the death and resurrection of Christ, the way into the holiest is now opened for all. We can fellowship and build intimacy with God through prayer in the holy of holies. In fact, we are exhorted to come to the throne of grace, a place we can commune with our father through prayer. The author puts it this way: Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4; 16).

The holy Spirit dwells in every believer, and because he lives in us, we have the ability and the privilege to pray and to cry out, 'Abba father": Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" (Galatians 4; 6). It is an honor for you and I to pray to the creator and the sustainer of the universe. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

 The Spirit will always lead us to pray scriptural prayers, prayers which are consistent with God's word

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