How do we pray? The 5th Question.

Today, I’m finishing up my series, The 5 Questions of Prayer: Who, What, Why, Where and How. (If you missed any of the series, just click on each word to be taken to that particular post.)

Here is my last point: How do we pray? We could spend a long time on this – the bible is rich on this topic, but I want to hit two areas.

First, the order of prayer: I love the little acronym of how to pray using ACTS:

·        Adoration

·        Confession

·        Thanksgiving

·        Supplication

I have a pastor friend who doesn’t agree with me. He thinks the order should be CATS, because he wonders if God hears us if we haven’t first confessed our sin?

I think I’m right, because of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus gave reverence and praise to the Father first thing in the prayer. Later, He says forgive us our sins as we forgive those who’ve sinned against us.

What say you?

Secondly, I want to talk about praying in faith. The book of James says:

James 5:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

But you might say … “I don’t have enough faith.”

I believe you have all the faith you need. Why? Let’s look at

Luke 17:5-6 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

⁶ So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 

“The faith that we must have is a faith that has more to do with what kind of faith it is than with how much faith there is. A small amount of faith – as much as a mustard seed (a very small seed) – can accomplish great things, if that small amount of faith is placed in the God who can do the impossible!”

Have you seen the meme going around Facebook that shows someone with a mustard seed balanced on his finger, saying, “Stand back! I have a mustard seed and I’m not afraid to use it!”

I love it! I want to shout out to the world, “Stand back! I have faith and I’m not afraid to use it!”

To Sum It Up: How do we pray? We first confess anything standing between us and God, remember His awesome attributes, and be thankful for His past provision. Then? ... We unleash our faith!

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I'm linking up to the communities at  Inspire Me Monday, #TellHisStory and #TuneInThursday

Where Should We Pray? 5 Questions Series

Today is part 4 of my series, The 5 Questions of Prayer: Who, What, Why, Where and How.

Where do we pray? I think there are two answers to this: in the secret place, and everywhere you go.

Matthew 6:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Everyone needs a place where they can be alone and meet with God. Mine is my home office, and at work, it is the church library. If you don’t have one, ask God to help you find one now!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

pray without ceasing

We are told to pray without ceasing. Obviously, we can’t stay in the secret place all day – we must live life – so we must be in an attitude of prayer wherever we go.

I love praying in my car. It can become like a sanctuary on wheels!

And sometimes, on a stressful day, it can be good to run to the nearest bathroom, shut the door, and hit your knees!

Where is your favorite place to pray?


Be sure and check back next week for the final part of the series, How Do We Pray? (I personally think it's the most interesting!)

I'm linking this post up at Inspire Me Monday, #TellHisStory and Let's Have Coffee

Why Pray? Our World Needs Us!

Today's Five Minute Friday word prompt fits in so well with my series, The 5 Questions of Prayer: Who, What, Why, Where and How. The prompt is the word, "world," and I will use that word as I write about the "why" of prayer.

Go:

There are a host of reasons to pray, but today we will look at three:

The first why: Our world needs us to pray. As children of God we can come before the throne of God and ask for help in time of need - not just for ourselves, but for others, too. The most selfless thing we can do is to go into spiritual battle for other people.

Sometimes, people are sick and discouraged and have no strength to pray. We can do it for them.

Also, people who don't know the Lord need us to pray for them. We pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth workers into their field. 

In other words, we pray the Lord will send the people to speak the word and tell of God's love in just the right way to catch their attention. God knows what it will take to get us to listen. Our part is to pray for willing workers to be sent; and then if He sends US to go, too, we are to be willing to go.

Sometimes our family members won't listen to us, but they will listen to a co-worker or a classmate. Sometimes a complete stranger knows just the right word to say!

Then, we are to pray because we're commanded to do so. Obedience is our second why!

" ... men always ought to pray and not lose heart" Luke 18:1b NKJV

We are not to give up when it seems we are not getting results. When we pray, God is setting the answer into motion. Don't give up. Be persistent. The answer will come!

Stop! (But of course, I must finish up with my third point.)

Our third why of prayer: God made us for fellowship. How can we be companions if we never talk to each other? If you never talked to your spouse, family or friends, it wouldn’t take long for them to believe you don’t care about them. In the same way, God wants us to pray and to communicate with Him.

Ministering to others, obedience, fellowship - it's why we pray and impact our world.

Are you in the habit of prayer? Leave a comment and tell us all about your "why" to pray.

I'm linking up at Five Minute Friday and #FreshMarketFriday and Inspire Me Monday

The 5 Questions of Prayer Series: The What

We’re examining five components of prayer: Who, What, When, Why and How. If you missed part one, go here to catch up.

Ready for part two? Read on!

What do we pray? Short answer, we pray about everything! We pray about our daily needs and about protection from falling into temptation. (See again the Lord’s prayer.) And we pray for one another:

1 Timothy 2:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Let’s look at those four types of prayer: supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks.

Supplications means to simply ask for things. I always think of it in conjunction with asking for needs or something I want. He is our Father, He wants us to ask Him for things, just as we did our earthly fathers.

If we’re not careful, though, our prayer life will be lopsided in only asking for ourselves and loved ones.

He wants so much more for us!

Prayers means the broad sense of the word – all kinds of communication with the Father. Just like conversation you’d have with a beloved earthly father, you should share your day, your joys and struggles, and your thoughts with your heavenly Father in prayer.

Intercessions means praying for others. This is where the real work of prayer can be done. Imagine the tenacity of a prayer warrior rolling up his sleeves, so to speak, and going into spiritual battle for others too weak to pray for themselves. The sick, the needy, those trampled upon by the press of life may be at the last breath of strength and cannot muster up the ability to pray – but YOU can! It’s the most unselfish gift you can give.

Also, you can be instrumental in praying for those who don’t even have an idea who God is or what He can do in their lives. You can step in for them and ask God to send His Holy Spirit to deal with their hearts and prepare the way for when someone can witness to them about God’s saving power. You could be instrumental in a soul's choice of where to spend eternity.

Pretty important stuff, I’d say!

Lastly, there is the giving of thanks type of prayer, or thanksgiving. A grateful heart is beautiful to the Lord. Think about earthly parents and children – doesn’t a parent want to do more for a child who is grateful for past provision?

Why do anything for someone who doesn’t appreciate it? I don't want to be guilty of ingratitude.

Notice, too, that Paul tells us in this letter to Timothy who we are supposed to be praying for:  ALL men. Not just the ones we like or agree with but everyone. Why, he even goes so far to say in the next verse, pray for kings and all those in authority.

Part of our "what to pray" is to pray for our leaders to have wisdom and to do the right thing.

I can't find in the Word that we only do that if we like them or if they are in our political party.

Summing it up: "what we pray" is praying for everything, about everyone, and doing it always with a thankful heart.

What is your favorite thing to pray?

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I'm linking this post to:
#TuneInThursday

5 Questions of Prayer Series: The Who

Welcome to part one of my series: The Five Questions of Prayer. Based on a recent talk I gave at a Women's Ministry meeting, I am examining five components of prayer.

A writer is often advised to always tell who, what, where, when and how when communicating. Prayer is the ultimate communication between our Father and us, so why not examine the 5 questions as it relates to prayer? 

Aren't you curious about the practice of prayer?

Of course, the who question is easy! We are praying to the Creator of the Universe, the One who sits on the throne of God, high above the heavens. The One who loved us enough to give His only Son to take all our sins upon Him and die a cruel death in our place. Remember the One we are praying to has all the power. He is the only one powerful enough to just speak a word and worlds are created, the dead raised, and the seas parted.Jesus knew our nature of wanting to have a checklist of just how to do a thing, and so He gave us the Lord’s Prayer as a model prayer,  a template of prayer, so to speak.

Matthew 6:9-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

It begins with acknowledging our Father, who is in heaven, meaning He sees everything from a heavenly perspective, He is above us, seeing what we cannot see. Sometimes, the answer to our prayer is no for just that reason: He knows things we do not know.

The next part of the prayer tells us to “hallow” his name. Respect Him. Revere Him. In other words, worship Him. Give Him praise.

I love the scripture that tells us the Father inhabits the praise of the people. He is always with a believer - that is His promise to us - but I believe His presence is manifested in a special way when we praise.

Who does a believer pray to? His good, good Father!

Stay tuned for part two!

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Interested in prayer? Leave a comment telling of your experiences, or suggest a question we could examine together.

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I'm sharing at:
Inspire Me Monday
#TellHisStory