Pray!

Pray!

‭1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP‬

[17] be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

I love the definition of prayer found online: 'Prayer is communication with God. We do this by praising Him, confessing our sin before Him, thanking Him and asking Him for our needs and desires. Prayer is communion with our Creator. When we pray, we engage in loving fellowship with the Maker of heaven and earth'. Reflect on all the parts that make up the definition above, and tell me if there is anything of importance left out. It starts with the emphasis on 'with God', not at God. I do not hurl words at God and then quickly jump to my feet and go on my way. Communication is only effective when the words of one person have been correctly received, understood and rightly interpreted, and the feedback or response has also been correctly received. As long as there is confusion or any form of misunderstanding in the mix, there has not yet been good communication. 

Check out all the parts to prayer: praising Him, confession of sins, thanking Him, and asking Him for our needs and desires. Let no man ever tell you that you are not praying the right way, as long as God is the sole focus of the time you are investing in prayer. However you do it, or in whatever position or posture you take when doing it, make sure you do it right, if you want it to end up with the right result. Check out how many times God or Him is mentioned in the definition above. I count at least 5 times in a 27-word sentence. God has to be the focus, not my needs. If I focus on the need, I will end up losing sight of what is really important. I must focus on the One who can meet the need, and even give me a burden for that which is really His need. I can only know this when I spend time asking Him, and listening to His directives and instructions. 

Enough of the talk, and more of the actual practice of prayer. Books have been written, and it is good to read up on them, but I must move on from reading to doing. There is not much good in just thinking or planning for it; the value comes from actually doing it. The verse above lays it out quite clearly too that prayer has to be unceasing and persistent. It is not what I do only when it is convenient, but also when it is inconvenient. Being persistent comes from the knowledge of the power, ability and capacity of the One you are praying to to bring to pass all that you ask Him for. Being persistent comes from a personal knowledge and experience of God, confident that no matter how often I ask Him for anything, He will do it if it lines up with His will. Would you also pray? Remember, God moves in answer to prayer, not wishes. God's time of favour is here.