Hello Everyone,
Prayer is one of the greatest privileges we have as followers of Christ. It serves as our direct connection to God, fostering intimacy and deepening our relationship with Him. Through prayer, we communicate with Him, and He communicates with us. It is the foundation and lifeblood of our faith, the vital thread that sustains and strengthens our bond with Him.When the world turns against us, when our lives seem to crumble around us, and when we are betrayed by those we hold dear, prayer becomes our unwavering anchor. It is the avenue to the steadfast rock we cling to, sustaining our faith and preserving our sanity in the face of overwhelming pain and suffering.
Why We Pray
We pray because this is how we communicate and have a relationship with God. In my book, Prayer: Life in the Spirit, I outline seven reasons why we pray:
- Daily Surrender: We surrender our lives to God's will every day through a daily prayer of surrender. We thank God for the day and then surrender the day to Him.
- Fellowship: The fellowship prayer is undoubtedly the most important of all prayer types, yet it is probably the most neglected. Jesus rose early in the morning to pray (Mark 1:35). Sometimes, Jesus would spend the whole night in prayer (Luke 6:12). Jesus is the Son of God. If the Son of God needed to spend time with His Father, so do we. The Fellowship Prayer is simply a prayer of talking with God in an informal, unstructured way, like we speak to our earthly parents or friends.
- Worship and Praise: God responds to those who worship and praise Him. God seeks our worship and praise.
But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.We do this in many ways: music, singing, dancing, gratitude, and giving, to name a few. We also worship and praise God in and through prayer. Worship and praise are essential ingredients in our relationship with Him. Worship and praise must come from our spirits. They should never be something that we do because we are "supposed" to. John 4:23 (above) says that God is looking for worshipers who worship Him in spirit and in truth (from the heart).
John 4:23 NLT - Praying For Others: Praying for others is broad in scope. Prayers that include healing, supplication, and spiritual warfare can also encompass praying for others. We pray for other people in many ways. It is probably the most common type of prayer in our churches today. Most prayer requests are for other people.
- Petition/Supplication:
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.A good definition of the prayer of petition or supplication would be "a humble request made for something desired either for yourself or on behalf of someone else." Like praying for others, this type of prayer is common in prayer meetings and public prayers. Finding the line (if there is one) between them is difficult.
Philippians 4:6 ESV - Healing: A healing prayer is a heartfelt appeal to God, seeking His intervention to restore someone’s well-being. This could involve healing from emotional wounds, physical ailments, spiritual struggles, or medical conditions, as we trust in His power and compassion to bring wholeness and peace.
- Spiritual Warfare: Christians occasionally face attacks from dark spiritual forces. The most effective way to combat these challenges is through prayer, fasting, and immersing oneself in the Word of God, which together provide strength, protection, and spiritual victory.
The itemized list above highlights the various reasons we pray; however, the primary purpose of prayer is to nurture our connection to the Spirit of God. Through prayer, we tap into His power, embrace His promises, and find renewed hope. It is through this practice that our faith is strengthened and sustained. Prayer isn’t just a spiritual discipline—it’s essential to our survival as Christians, anchoring us in God's presence and provision.
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How We Pray
Prayer is often viewed through a lens of formality, but in reality, there’s nothing formal about it—and there shouldn’t be. Introducing formality into our prayer life can create unnecessary barriers between us and God. Prayer can be as simple as a desperate cry of “Help!” or as profound and prolonged as when Jesus prayed all night (Luke 6:12). What matters is not the length or eloquence of our prayers but the sincerity and openness with which we approach God.We can pray on our hands and knees, standing, sitting, lying down, driving a car, swimming, or standing on our heads—it doesn't matter. Prayer is dependent on our spirit, not our position.
I’ve heard countless sermons and read numerous books claiming to teach the “proper way” to pray. Most of these resources reference the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-14) as a model—and rightly so, as it offers timeless guidance on prayer. However, the truth is, there’s no formula or “proper way” to pray beyond speaking to God from your heart. Prayer isn’t about perfect words or polished phrases; it’s about honest connection. Talk to God as you would to a close friend. If you’re angry, tell Him. If you’re worried, scared, overjoyed, or grateful, lay it all before Him. Let your prayer be an outpouring of what’s truly inside you.
Final Thoughts
Many Christians view God's plan as fixed and unchanging. While God is omniscient and omnipresent, fully aware of all outcomes, He entrusts us with the details and decisions that shape our lives. Not everything is predetermined or preordained, and our involvement is neither useless nor insignificant. We become catalysts for change through our prayers and actions, participating in His divine purposes. It is God's way of inviting us to partner with Him, richly blessing us as He works through our faithful efforts and prayers.It can be hard to grasp, but Christians must understand God's plan's dynamic nature. Outcomes are influenced mainly by our prayers and efforts, not confined to a rigid, predetermined path set by God long ago. If everything were already decided, what purpose would prayer requests serve? Instead, prayer becomes a powerful tool, inviting us to actively participate in God’s unfolding work in the world.
God’s will is not some mysterious or hidden force quietly operating in the background of our lives. The Bible reveals His will: that He be glorified in all things. At least, that's the primary purpose. God's will is any of the Four Primary Functions of Christian Living. This central truth is the foundation of our involvement in His plan and the cornerstone of answered prayer.
Some believe that prayer gives us the right to demand things from God as if He is some magic genie subject to our beck and call. Those people do not belong to God. We are partners in God's plan, and we receive tremendous blessings from Him because of it. We work in conjunction with Him and are subject to Him.
When we pray for Fred to come to know the Lord, God begins to move in response to that prayer. When we ask for wisdom, He works within us to grant it. When we seek His help for a new home, He sets the process in motion. However, God's involvement often faces opposition (Daniel 10:12-13). This is why persistent prayer is crucial; our continued prayers reinforce and strengthen God's work in these situations (Luke 11:5-11). It’s an active part of putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), equipping us to stand firm in faith and partnership with Him.
It’s crucial to understand that while God doesn’t need us to accomplish His purposes, He passionately desires to include us in His work. One of the greatest privileges He gives us is the opportunity to pray. Prayer is not just a spiritual practice; it’s a profound blessing that allows us to partner with God in shaping outcomes. We know the end of the story, God wins in the end. However, the journey to that outcome is dynamic and deeply influenced by our prayers. This is why prayer is an indispensable part of a Christian’s life.
As beings confined to the physical realm, we often view life through the lens of cause and effect. But God operates beyond those limitations—He created the rules by which we live, yet they do not constrain Him. God’s divine sovereignty allows Him to grant Christians the ability to influence daily circumstances while ensuring that His ultimate outcome remains unshaken. When we grasp this truth, we begin to see prayer not as a routine action but as a powerful, transformative force beyond human comprehension. The fruition of God’s outcome (effect) is not dependent on the events leading up to it (cause).
It’s important to grasp what you just read:
Prayer is an incredibly powerful force, though we often say this without fully grasping its true magnitude. We fail to comprehend how much power is available through prayer. In Part 2, we'll explore this in greater depth.
Prayer is a tremendous privilege. Embrace it, experience its power, and use it to glorify God.
God Bless!
Mark
The Power Of Prayer Series
