Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Prayer is an important aspect of who we are as Christians; it’s our
priestly ministry to pray. Jesus said, “...men ought always to pray, and not to
faint” (Luke 18:1). Oftentimes, people go through difficulties in their lives
and don’t know what to do. Not many know how to pray the right way. God told us
to pray, not for praying sake, but because He planned to answer. In addition,
there’re vital rules and elements of prayer that, if and when clearly
understood and applied, would make your prayers more effective.
One of the elements of prayer is praying in the Name of Jesus. Jesus gave
us the power of attorney to use His Name, which means when we pray, we’re
standing in His stead: “...Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he
will give it you” (John 16:23). You’re to live in the Name of Jesus; function
in His place, with His authority, and in His character. What a thought!
Colossians 3:17 says, “...whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks....” When you pray, it carries the same power
and authority as though Jesus Himself were the one speaking.
The second important element of prayer is that we pray in the authority
of the Word of God, and the revelation and insight given to us by the Word of
God. This means our faith must be based on what God’s Word says, because if
God’s Word covers whatever we’re praying about, then we can be sure to receive
answers, because we’re asking in line with His Word. Faith is based on the
Word. True faith is only imparted by the Word. Romans 10:17 declares that faith
comes by hearing and hearing by the Word.
The third element is that we pray by the power of the Holy Spirit. Some
Christians pray and nothing happens because the words spoken aren’t inspired
and communicated by the power of the Holy Spirit. You have to pray always by
the Holy Spirit; the words have to be energized, communicated, inspired, and
anointed by the Holy Ghost. That’s what makes the difference.
When you study the Book of Acts, you’ll find that the apostles took
advantage of these three elements of prayer: the Name of Jesus, the Word of God
and the power of the Holy Spirit. No wonder they had such extraordinary
results, and a marvellous impact with the Gospel.
PRAYER: Dear Father, I thank you for the privilege and honour to pray in
the Name of Jesus, the glory of praying in the authority of your Word, and the
extraordinary benefit of praying in the power of the Spirit. I receive answers
when I pray, because the Holy Spirit guides me in prayer; nothing is impossible
to me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study: John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,
and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit
should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may
give it you.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what
ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
James 5:16-17 AMP Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false
steps, your offences], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and
restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can
accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God--it is dynamic
and can have tremendous power]. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with
the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he
prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three
years and six months.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 2 Jeremiah 36-37
2-YEAR BIBLEREADING
2-YEAR BIBLE
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