Prayer – The purpose and various kinds of prayer
Prayer is simply talking with GOD; it’s half the conversation; the other half: the Bible, the revelation, the ‘voice’ of GOD. Between the Scriptures and prayer we have both sides for a meaningful relationship. No relationship can be established or last without communication.
How does one communicate with a parent? A sibling, a friend, a co-worker? By simply speaking out your thoughts and feelings.
The Bible itself has much to say about prayer. I found an excellent article about what forms that prayer takes in the life of the disciple – check out the GOTQUESTIONS article, What are the Different Types of Prayer?
One form of prayer that we must warn against is called ‘contemplative prayer’ – a close cousin is ‘centering prayer’: both are occult in origin that creates an altered state of consciousness, and therefore are dangerous and could invite demonic influences.
Two articles: BEWARE of PRAYER of the CONTEMPLATIVE KIND and also:
MYSTICISM IN THE CHURCH: Contemplative Prayer And HerEvil Sisters
Prayer seeks GOD’s will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven (MATT 6:10).
Exactly what Satan hates and wants to prevent! So, prayer is definitely spiritual warfare (We will cover aspects of spiritual warfare in the last part of this series (Topic #8). Prayer is an awesome, powerful spiritual weapon in this warfare! Check out The TTUF Spiritual Warfare series.
A well-known pastor was once asked, “What’s more important: The Bible or prayer?”
His answer: “What’s more important: breathing in or breathing out?”
In other words, both are equally important! We need “both oars in the water”!
In a rowboat, if you row with only one oar in the water – you’ll only go in circles. If you have the other oar in the water instead – the same thing, just going in circles. Put both oars and you’ll get somewhere!
In a rowboat, if you row with only one oar in the water – you’ll only go in circles. If you have the other oar in the water instead – the same thing, just going in circles. Put both oars and you’ll get somewhere!
The Bible and prayer are equally important and necessary.
And with others in the boat rowing with you, you’ll get there faster and easier, and that’s where godly fellowship comes in, working together as the church (which is the next section we’ll get into)!
There are many excellent books on prayer! Here are 11 titles by various authors.
My all-time personal favorite is The Complete Works on Prayer by E.M. Bounds. Here are six titles available on pdf that you can download and even print out for your own use!
GOD sacrificed His Son not only to pardon our sin, and prevent His judgment from condemning us, but to provide the way so that He can have fellowship with us (He couldn’t possibly have fellowship with condemned, rebellious sinners even though He loves them all)!
But being covered in the robe of righteousness (ISA 61:10) provided by the LORD Jesus, a wrathful judge that must enforce justice on lawbreakers then becomes a tender-hearted heavenly Father!
And with others in the boat rowing with you, you’ll get there faster and easier, and that’s where godly fellowship comes in, working together as the church (which is the next section we’ll get into)!
There are many excellent books on prayer! Here are 11 titles by various authors.
My all-time personal favorite is The Complete Works on Prayer by E.M. Bounds. Here are six titles available on pdf that you can download and even print out for your own use!
No need is too big, no problem too small in our prayer to the LORD. We are to pray on all things (MATT 21:22; PHIL 4:6). We must pray according to GOD’s will if we’re to be assured of receiving an answer (1 JOHN 5:14-15; JAMES 4:3).Prayer isn’t a wish list, nor a roster for supplies.
Imagine you had a family business and your boss (who is your father) was at the warehouse where you need to pick up some supplies. Your truck pulls up, and with a roster in hand, you begin to name off all the items you need, which your Dad provides. Then once done, you have him sign the roster and get ready to leave, but he stops you: “It’s been a while son, can you share a cup of coffee and some conversation with me?”You see, GOD really does want us to go to Him for our needs, but prayer is far, far more than just this! He loves us and really, really does want to spend time with us!
“I’m really too busy now Dad, another time, OK?”
The Dad waves sadly as his son drives off…
GOD sacrificed His Son not only to pardon our sin, and prevent His judgment from condemning us, but to provide the way so that He can have fellowship with us (He couldn’t possibly have fellowship with condemned, rebellious sinners even though He loves them all)!
But being covered in the robe of righteousness (ISA 61:10) provided by the LORD Jesus, a wrathful judge that must enforce justice on lawbreakers then becomes a tender-hearted heavenly Father!
Let's never be so busy in working for our King, that we leave no time to spend with the King! That's what the LORD corrected the church at Ephesus for (REV 2:4-5).
The Father’s heart was pierced with sorrow, seeing Jesus His beloved Son in the anguish He (willingly!) suffered for our sins, but They both knew that by doing so, countless souls would be saved and added to the holy family of GOD: adopted sons and daughters (ROM 8:15) that will know intimate fellowship with Him forever!
Prayer is the way we can have that now!
The Father’s heart was pierced with sorrow, seeing Jesus His beloved Son in the anguish He (willingly!) suffered for our sins, but They both knew that by doing so, countless souls would be saved and added to the holy family of GOD: adopted sons and daughters (ROM 8:15) that will know intimate fellowship with Him forever!
Prayer is the way we can have that now!
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