I have been in ministry for 17 years and when it comes to prayer, I hear the same thing everywhere I go.
- Pray for me
- I don’t know how to pray
- I don’t believe that my prayers get answered
- GOD does not hear my prayers because of my life
These are just a few of the excuses that I hear. Most times I tell a person that prayer is a conversation between you and GOD. The problem with most people and conversation is that too often than not; those who are in conversation are not listening or giving the other person a chance to speak.
JESUS taught the disciples to pray and that prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13
However, JESUS also told the disciples that there is a condition to this prayer. In verse 14 & 15 JESUS explained that you must forgive those who have caused you harm, you are angry with, who hurt you, who lied on you, who stole from you and so many other sins against you. When you truly forgive you don’t hold anything against the person who has sinned against you any longer. This is what GOD does, when you come to GOD and ask for forgiveness and tell GOD that you need HIM. Believe in HIS SON and realize that JESUS cleanses you from sin. In this you can know that when you speak with GOD, HE does hear you and HE will answer you, but you must listen for HIS voice. The non-believer does get prayers answered; with the exception of one. That answered prayer is to invite JESUS into your life acknowledging that you are a sinner and you want HIM to forgive you. The sadness is most times than not; the non-believer does not recognize that GOD has stepped in and has done what you have requested. Another thing that gets up my nose is that many people do not realize that when the name GOD is used, you are getting HIS attention. In other words profanity with the inclusion of GOD is so far out of order; when you use profanity why not use the text [your name and say damn it] or [buddah damn it] or [harry krishna damn it] and lastly [mohammed/muhammed damn it] you get the understanding. Praying for others is never a problem for me, however, the Word of GOD informs us that “we have not because we’ve asked not” James 4:2 this is why I ask the person who ask me to pray; what or why for. If you don’t feel comfortable in telling me what or why then you may just get a general GOD bless you. Which in and of itself is an actual prayer. Another prayer is JESUS, thank YOU; JESUS, I love YOU; GOD, I need YOU and so on. Do you see just how simplistic prayer is?
There are times when we are in distress and there are times when we need GOD for various reasons. This is normal; I would like to ask that you spend more time just chatting it up with GOD, tell HIM a joke, and get comfortable with HIM. So that when you need HIM during times of distress or for various other reasons, you will be assured that HE actually does hear you.
When they call on ME, I will answer, I will be with them in trouble, and I will rescue and honor them. Ps. 91:15
I will answer them before they even call to ME. While they are still thinking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers. Is. 65:24
If MY people who are called by MY name will humble themselves and pray; seek MY face and turn from their wicked ways. I will hear from heaven. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Ask and you will receive. Everyone who asks receives. [This is a prayer of persistence] read Matthew 7:7-11
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces results. James 5:16