Discover the joy of prayer!
As Christians we have been given a tremendous privilege: We are enabled to talk to the Almighty Creator as naturally as a child talks to its daddy. Jesus demonstrated this in his prayer-life in such a way that the disciples wanted to learn the secret of prayer. They asked him to teach them to pray the same way.
Discover the joy of prayer
Why did Jesus always get his prayers answered? What do we do when we pray? What promises has God given to people who pray? Why do we need to pray? How do we avoid prayer becoming boring? These are some of the questions we shall answer in this chapter.
It did not take long for the disciples to discover that Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer. They also noticed that his way of praying was different from that of the religious leaders. He did not pray out of a sense of duty, but found great joy and satisfaction in being in the presence of God, his Father, and communicating with him.
This is the heart of the matter, prayer is communication with God. It is having spiritual fellowship with God. It is coming before him with our thanks for all his goodness to us. It is coming with our questions about what his will is in concrete situations. It is expressing our own, and other’s, needs and desires. It is crying out to him for help. But it is also being quiet and listening to what God wants to say to us. It is receiving guidance from him. It is hearing his voice whisper his answer in our spirit. It is receiving answers to prayer, having wishes fulfilled. It means healing for the sick we have prayed for, help for those who are in need. For there are wonderful promises connected with prayer:
‘So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.’ (Luke 11:9)
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. (John 14:13)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. (John 15:7)
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:23-24)
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jer. 33:3)
Lord, teach us to pray!
Jesus is seen, through his example and teaching, as the great teacher about prayer. The gospels tell us how he lived in a continual prayer-fellowship with his heavenly Father. He could spend the whole night in prayer and often went to lonely places to pray. (Luke 6:12; 5:16) Before every important decision and event Jesus spent extra time in prayer (see Luke 3:21; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; 9:28ff; 22:41ff; 23:34,46; 24:50ff.).
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray”. (Luke 11:1)
Jesus taught the disciples to pray. As today’s disciples, we can also learn to pray. We can use the model prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. This prayer is constructed so as to make our prayer life neither boring nor a burden, but rather a great joy. Jesus gives us four important elements in prayer through the pattern prayer ‘Our Father’ – The Lord’s Prayer. Down through the centuries Christians have found strength in praying as Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
I Opening - the prayer is directed to our heavenly Father.
II Prayer which puts God first:
1. God’s name
2. God’s kingdom
3. God’s will
III Prayer for human needs:
1. The need for daily bread
2. The need for forgiveness
3. The need for victory over evil
IV Final praise
1. Proclaiming God’s kingdom
2. Proclaiming God’s might
3. Proclaiming God’s glory
Exercise:
Have you ever had your prayers answered? Explain!
Do you have fixed times of prayer?
Have you discovered the joy of prayer?
Continue to memorise, add this Bible verse:
So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. (Luke 11:9)