"Prayer is the most often talked about concept among Christians. But, it is the least practiced." -Ethel Magalong (TFV Class)
When I heard Ate Ethel say this in our Training for Victory class last Wednesday, my ears wrinkled in sadness. I was surprised and asked "Why?"
Prayer had been my bread and butter for years. Prior to me being a Christian, I already loved praying. I believe in its power; every single thing about it, I want to digest.
Prayer is more powerful than how we see it. We often associate the greatness of prayer on how many times God answered them or on the degree of value our prayer stands for. Our misconceptions about prayer had blinded our relationship with God. It has placed a wall rather than a way.
As a product of an answered prayer from my Papa and Mama, I was brought out into this world. The same thing may not work for everyone, but I'm more than sure that prayer is for everyone.
"Each of us in an answered prayer to another person's prayer." -Ethel Magalong (TFV Class)
I want to encourage everyone to pray through this blog post. To do so, I'm sharing with you the backbone of my prayer life.
For me...
1. Prayer is a tool for communication.
I've always believed that through prayer I can commune with the Lord and just say whatever I want to say. I talk to God as if we're physically facing each other. I do not hold lies, doubts and pretensions. I just want Him to know what happened to me throughout the day, how I thank Him for everything, how I long to be secured in His love always, how I feel about certain worries and how I strive to savor more of Him in my life. Pray like you're conversing casually, face to face with the One.
2. Know who you are praying to.
When praying, I always keep in mind that I have a big God. An all-knowing and all-powerful living God who can hear, accommodate, teach, provide, heal, rebuke, direct and uplift in every way possible. When we trust that our God is above all things both in heaven and on earth our faith is strengthened. We do not expect our prayers to happen. We claim them.
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15)
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
3. Pray like a child.
Some may find it hilarious or foolish when they hear the words "Pray like a child." But, to tell you honestly, this had helped me be myself when coming before the throne of God. I learned to be naive and persistent with my prayers just like how a child is. Believe me, it's easier to pray like a child and just glorify God with anything and everything in your life than to approach the Lord as a matured individual restraining ourselves from what we want to say, to thank for or to ask for because we have imbibed pride and hypocrisy within us.
"When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (mark 10:13-16)
4. Have faith even into the simplest things.
This is one of the points I exercise regularly in my life. When you learn to be faithful into the smallest things: like getting a cab during rush hour; you'll be able to trust God with bigger things in no time. If we find it silly to come before the Lord for our little requests then how can we gain confidence that the Lord can do more amazing things in our lives? Remember, faith can move mountains!
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)
5. Pray specifically.
I have underestimated praying in specific for years until I learned for myself how powerful it is to do so. I have a simple illustration regarding this point. I hope that the students, like me, will be more encouraged with this.
During the first shifting NeuroAnatomy examinations, I came to school prepared by studying vigorously throughout the week. As I was taking the test, I took note of the items I wasn't 100% sure of. I counted them and found out that they totaled at 17. I told the Lord to help me not fail the exam by giving me 17 items or less as my number of mistakes.
After a week, the paper was evaluated and returned, I got 17 items off my final mark. I passed. God worked. He worked amazingly. He worked for that specified number I asked for.
On the second shifting NeuroAnatomy examinations, I didn't study as much as I did during the first. My laziness triggered nothing but a bucket of worries for my grade. I know I didn't do my best and I was ready to face a lower grade. But, I told the Lord that I still want an exemplary grade for His glory and not for me, so I asked Him to give me the passing mark. At that moment, I didn't compute for the passing mark so I had no idea at all what was it. But when the paper was given back, I saw a grade of 53. I computed immediately and saw for myself that 53 was the exact passing mark. I shouted because I saw the Lord moved once more.
Lesson: Pray specifically. Not just specifically. But, settle for the bigger things that are to be specified in your prayers. Because the Lord gives it without bargaining! If I asked for an "Uno" grade, I'm sure the Lord would have provided.
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:7)
6. Jot down prayer points.
Write down your prayers so that you have something visible to hold onto. My prayer points helped me to pray for more people because I've took note of their requests. Through this, I was also able to exercise specification of prayers. And the best part of it was, I saw how God worked tremendously in my prayers. I can cancel out what were answered, what were declined and what were channeled and directed into a better motive.
7. Pray when needed and not needed.
Pray within a fixed and unfixed schedule.
Prayer shouldn't only be done when we have something to ask for. Prayer for me is more than for provision's sake but for thanksgiving and worshiping God because of His goodness, mercy and grace in me. Pray within a fixed and unfixed schedule. What do I mean by this? It's good that we have a specific time and place for our quietness with the Lord but I also encourage everyone to pray even in an unfixed schedule for it helps us grow more in love and security. I pray when I walk going to school, I pray when riding a public transportation, I pray when I feel like bursting anytime with emotions, I pray when I'm about to take a test and right after it.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:5-8)
8. Share your prayers.
There are some prayers that we are bound to share. Yes, we have our personal prayers. But sharing some to others can make it extra powerful. I believe that if there are more people praying for a certain cause, the more that it will become firm with its rock and foundation and that is Jesus Christ. The Lord does not neglect the call of a community of praying people. Praying with others is a form of blessing. A blessing for ourselves, the people we're praying with, the people we're praying for and most especially the person we're praying to, which is God.
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19-20)
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
9. Pray to bless others.
Pray to bless others and this means checking the motives of our hearts. We cannot pray to curse, even if we were mistreated. Let the Lord cast vindication and revenge. We are here to speak blessing whether for our loved ones or enemies.
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" (James 4:3)
10. Just pray.
Just pray even if it feels nothing but a collection of words for you. I believe that this may not be special for everyone at first but I'm assured that a seed will be planted into your heart and will spring forth through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26)
He told another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in his field. It's the smallest of all seeds. But when it's grown, it's the largest of all vegetable plants. It becomes a tree so that the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)
Prayer is powerful. Do not underestimate it.
Faith can move mountains and so are prayers.
Pray fervently. God hears.
Sealing this with love,
Diane
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