As you begin to study the ministry of Jesus, you will notice that prayer was a controlling force. Jesus spent much time in communication and fellowship with His Father through prayer; and as a result, there were miracles, signs, and wonders. In fact, Jesus was so aware of the power in prayer that He said in Luke 18:1, "Men ought always to pray and not faint." I particularly like the Amplified version: "...men ought always to pray and not turn coward, faint, lose heart and give up."
I believe that Jesus is implying that prayer is designed to produce results. I heard one minister say, "Why should I worry when I can pray!" This should be our attitude in prayer. I pray not because it's the religious thing to do, but to gain results.
Prayer should be a prevailing factor in the life of every believer. The people who most powerfully affect the lives of others are those who spend time in prayer. One very famous preacher expressed it in this statement: "Before you can talk well to men about God, you must first be able to talk well to God about men."
I am convinced that in order for believers to fully illustrate Jesus in their lives, they must learn how to build an accurate prayer life. As an aid, I would like to share with you a few major points that have been beneficial to me in learning how to pray accurately. I trust that these points will be helpful to you and prayer will become a controlling force in your life.
1. MAKE GOD'S WORD "HIS" PART OF YOUR PRAYER LIFE. The Word is our contract with God, and His contract with us.
2. BASE YOUR PRAYER ON THE ANSWER FOUND IN GOD'S WORD. The Word covers the entire spectrum of human existence. Always remember to hold fast to the "answer" to your problem and not to the problem.
3. GO BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE AND OBTAIN. You have the right to stand in the presence of God without a sense of fear.
4. LEAN HARD ON YOUR RIGHTSTANDING WITH GOD. You are the righteousness of God, and your prayer will avail.
5. PRAY TO THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Remember that the Name of Jesus gets the ear of God, and we have been given the power of attorney to use that Name.
6. REALIZE THAT YOU CAN ASK WHAT YOU WILL. God's Word is His will. When His Word is abiding in you, then His will and your will become the same.
7. RECOGNIZE WITH WHOM YOU ARE WRESTLING. Spiritual warfare takes place in prayer. Therefore, you must put on the whole armor of God.
8. BELIEVE YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU PRAY. Walk by faith and not by sight. Don't be moved by adverse circumstances.
9. KEEP YOURSELF FREE FROM STRIFE AND UNFORGIVENESS. Realize that faith will not work in an unforgiving heart.
10. GIVE PRAISE FOR THE VICTORY. Praise will stop the enemy and open the door to the greater blessings of God.
Notice the affect of prayer as a controlling factor in the following Scripture reading: Luke 6:12-19; Mark 6:46-56
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