Yesterday I was asked to pray for something. While not at liberty to discuss the request, I can assure you it is serious in nature. It is something I am asking you to pray for as an unspoken. The Lord knows the need already so it isn't important for you to pray with details, just pray. People ask me to pray all the time. Over the years, I have attempted to keep a prayer journal or notebook, but I failed at keeping up with it. I even tried an app on my iPhone, but I didn't keep up with that either. So now, if time permits, I do it pretty much right away. Then when the thought comes to mind in the future, I will say another. The prayers are not very long, but they are from the heart.
I have struggled with my prayers since becoming a Christian. I have never felt I devoted enough specific time each day to the various requests. I also feel strongly that if I am asked to pray and I agree to do so, then it should be done. Don't promise to pray for someone and then not do it. I have also worried about other issues during my prayer time. Should it be in a specific place, position, or posture? Should I be sitting, kneeling, or prostrate? How long should I take on each individual prayer? Should I also devote quiet time after each prayer to attempt to hear from the Lord on each request? All these questions could mean I would be in prayer for several hours every day. Not that that would be a bad thing, but I just don't have that kind of time. If the bible tells us to "Pray without ceasing", then can't it just be as I go about my day. I don't want God to see my prayer offerings as frivolous or without reverence.
Then there is a struggle I continue to have every time I am asked to pray for healing. On one hand I do believe God can heal - if it is in his will for this appointed time. On the other hand - I don't feel right about asking God to heal someone. What if that isn't his will for this person. What if not healing the person makes a bigger impact on the world than healing them. I have asked many people about this and they all have different feelings about this topic. Some say, "Well if you don't ask then maybe he won't do the miracle." Others say, "If he wants to heal he will no matter what your prayer." Still others have said, "Just ask for his will to be done." I agree the most with the last one, but what if you promised the person you would ask for healing. Have you honored their request if you don't specifically ask for what they asked? There is the additional problem of the definition of healing. To some, it means a cure from disease or an ailment, but the bible tells us death is also healing.
Then there is another scenario. What do you do when you are asked to pray for something you don't believe in, such as a doctrinal issue. Do you tell the person right then and there you cannot pray for their request? Do you agree to pray and then ask the Lord to change their heart? Do you try to talk to the person about your difference in belief? Maybe it is a combination of all of those. Doctrinal beliefs can be a huge source of strife. I don't necessarily want to become involved in a heated debate, but do feel I need to speak to certain issues. However, those issues are for a later blog. So for now, I typically pray for their hearts to be changed.
It is important that you examine your prayer life on a regular basis. If you don't have a prayer life it is important that you begin something right away. It doesn't have to be a huge amount of time, but it is necessary for you to start conversing with God on a regular basis. Psalms if full of verses about man crying out to God in prayer and God hearing man's prayer. In Ephesians 6:18 we are told, "praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication." In Philippians 4:6, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God." In James 5:16, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another."
When you are at a loss for what to pray you can do two things. Pray the sample prayer given to us in the bible and sit quietly and tell the Lord you don't know what to pray.
In His Service
Mally
I have struggled with my prayers since becoming a Christian. I have never felt I devoted enough specific time each day to the various requests. I also feel strongly that if I am asked to pray and I agree to do so, then it should be done. Don't promise to pray for someone and then not do it. I have also worried about other issues during my prayer time. Should it be in a specific place, position, or posture? Should I be sitting, kneeling, or prostrate? How long should I take on each individual prayer? Should I also devote quiet time after each prayer to attempt to hear from the Lord on each request? All these questions could mean I would be in prayer for several hours every day. Not that that would be a bad thing, but I just don't have that kind of time. If the bible tells us to "Pray without ceasing", then can't it just be as I go about my day. I don't want God to see my prayer offerings as frivolous or without reverence.
Then there is a struggle I continue to have every time I am asked to pray for healing. On one hand I do believe God can heal - if it is in his will for this appointed time. On the other hand - I don't feel right about asking God to heal someone. What if that isn't his will for this person. What if not healing the person makes a bigger impact on the world than healing them. I have asked many people about this and they all have different feelings about this topic. Some say, "Well if you don't ask then maybe he won't do the miracle." Others say, "If he wants to heal he will no matter what your prayer." Still others have said, "Just ask for his will to be done." I agree the most with the last one, but what if you promised the person you would ask for healing. Have you honored their request if you don't specifically ask for what they asked? There is the additional problem of the definition of healing. To some, it means a cure from disease or an ailment, but the bible tells us death is also healing.
Then there is another scenario. What do you do when you are asked to pray for something you don't believe in, such as a doctrinal issue. Do you tell the person right then and there you cannot pray for their request? Do you agree to pray and then ask the Lord to change their heart? Do you try to talk to the person about your difference in belief? Maybe it is a combination of all of those. Doctrinal beliefs can be a huge source of strife. I don't necessarily want to become involved in a heated debate, but do feel I need to speak to certain issues. However, those issues are for a later blog. So for now, I typically pray for their hearts to be changed.
It is important that you examine your prayer life on a regular basis. If you don't have a prayer life it is important that you begin something right away. It doesn't have to be a huge amount of time, but it is necessary for you to start conversing with God on a regular basis. Psalms if full of verses about man crying out to God in prayer and God hearing man's prayer. In Ephesians 6:18 we are told, "praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication." In Philippians 4:6, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God." In James 5:16, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another."
When you are at a loss for what to pray you can do two things. Pray the sample prayer given to us in the bible and sit quietly and tell the Lord you don't know what to pray.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name
Thy kingdom come, they will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
Lead us not in to temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever.
Amen.
In His Service
Mally
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