Much has been written and preached on prayer. Prayer is a subject that has been widely and deeply taught about both in Christianity and religion. Its correct practice and right application still needs further research and its implementation has to be vigorously pursued.
Erasmus Makarimayi
There are obviously schisms and diverse schools of thought regarding its efficacy. In the Christendom, a preponderant number of believers attest to the notion that it yields results. Some have given up on prayer surrendering to nature and fate having bitterly concluded that prayer doesn’t work. This presentation is an introduction to prayer with the affirmation that it yields results.
I will lay my foundation on Scripture. Luke 11:1 records, “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
John the Baptist taught his disciples how to pray, therefore, prayer has to be taught, the reason I’m doing so now. I urge fellow ministers that as much as you sweat and preach your heart out on tithes and offerings, please do the same for prayer. We shouldn’t have a giving church devoid of prayer. The verse also shows that Jesus prayed. For that reason, you and I, as His disciples, should follow suit and emulate our mentor. I cannot exhaust the subject on a platform like this and I will, thus, give hints and highlights. I shall endeavour to teach what prayer is and what it is not and how to pray.
Defining prayer sets the ball rolling. I will start with the dictionary and get more technical and deeper with biblical meaning for my purview is biblical prayer. Wikipedia defines prayer thus; “Prayer (from the Latin precari ‘to ask earnestly, beg, entreat’) is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication. Prayer can be a form of religious practice, may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words, song or complete silence.
When language is used, prayer may take the form of a hymn, incantation, formal creedal statement, or a spontaneous utterance in the praying person.
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There are different forms of prayer such as petitionary prayer, prayers of supplication, thanksgiving, and praise. Prayer may be directed towards a deity, spirit, deceased person, or lofty idea, for the purpose of worshipping, requesting guidance, requesting assistance, confessing transgressions (sins) or to express one’s thoughts and emotions. Thus, people pray for many reasons such as personal benefit or for the sake of others.
I think this is clear enough and needs no further reduction.
As a faith article and in tandem with and conformity to my beliefs, I shall confine myself to prayer made to God, creator of heaven and earth, from whom all things, seen or unseen derive their existence. Prayer, therefore, should be directed to this God, the Creator, not to anything or anyone created whether living or dead. The accepted procedure of getting prayer to God is outlined in the Bible. Jesus speaking in John 16:26-28 states, “[26] At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: [27] For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. [28] I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” Please understand that there are no alternative channels or deities to reach God.
If Jesus is your Lord and Saviour, a super highway is open between God and you. The Bible puts it thus in John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” With passage assured and access granted by Jesus, now ask anything confidently from God. Prayer unlocks our promises and desires preserved for us in the spiritual realm. It’s a powerful Kingdom key to open doors of hidden heavenly treasure. It keeps us in fellowship and communion with God. Jesus assures in John 14:13 saying: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” As is custom for this column, our intercessors, prayer partners and myself have heavily invested our prayer and devotion in the writing of this piece. With that, I ask you to pray to God right now according as you have learnt and understood and share your testimony. Call unto God, prayer yields results. You’re going somewhere.
●All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible Feedback: [email protected] Fellowship with Pastor Makarimayi on Facebook and on www.twitter.com/PEMAKARIMAY
