16/04/2020
PRAYER - THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
For most Christians this is one of the most challenging areas of spiritual discipline.
It is one thing to read Scripture, because we get the instant benefit of knowledge and insight, but prayer is one of those things which require faith.
We are praying to someone we cannot see and expecting an answer we cannot control. And like every other thing which requires faith, prayer runs contrary to the natural man and to the world in which we live and thus is not only often neglected but is difficult to do.
For most people, prayer is an undisciplined area of their spiritual life. It is sporadic at best, erratic most of the time and often more prosaic than powerful. It is talked about more than anything else and practiced less than anything else.
And yet, for the believer it remains one of the necessary disciplines we must include in our spiritual lives if we are going to continue to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Paul understood prayer and its power. Prayer was an undeniable part of his life, and over and over again he calls all Christians to pray (Col 4:2-4).
You cannot really be a growing Christian and not pray, just like you cannot have a growing relationship if you don't talk to your spouse/partner.
In both circumstances your fellowship will be stagnant and you will never know the full benefit of your relationship.
Prayer is the pipeline of communication between God and His people, between God and those who love Him. The growing disciple will be one who is in the habit of praying.
Pray persistently - Without giving up or becoming discouraged
Paul says to pray without ceasing.
Luke 11:9 is where we find the promise that says, "ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you." Each of those verbs is in the present tense, active voice and could be translated, "keep on asking, keep on seeking; keep on knocking." Jesus does not want us to give up in prayer, He instructs us to be persistent.
Luke 18:1 says, "Now He was telling them a parable to show them that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart."
Pray passionately
Jesus always prayed with passion because He knew that He was talking to His Father – it’s prayer form the heart, not the head.
In Luke 6:12 before He called His disciples – Jesus spent the whole night in prayer. Passionate prayer opens the windows of heaven and shines God's light of direction on our path.
Pray gratefully – with thanksgiving
Pray selflessly – for others – is called intercession
Pray the Word of God – declare His promises over your life – it is the sword of the Spirit, the offensive weapon in the armor of God (Eph 6) and it is sharp enough to cut between bone and marrow and cause you to gain spiritual territory.