PRAYer

I have been pondering the value and power of prayer.

God does not demand a specific formula nor does He want us to engage in meaningless repetitions. Jesus did however provide a pattern for us in what is often referred to as the Lord's Prayer.

Matthew 6:9-13 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[a]
    but deliver us from the evil one.^[b]’

Here is a link to a video of Joyce Meyer teaching on this passage of scripture as a model for our prayers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzuSpC5t4qc

We can consider these points as we consider prayer:

PRAY

P -Privilege Prayer is not merely a duty or religious obligation. It is a benefit available to those in relationship with their Heavenly Father.

John 15:7 

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Proverbs 15:29 New International Version (NIV)

²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Hebrews 4:14-16 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

R - Remember and recount blessings 

Psalm 103:2 New International Version (NIV)

² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—

A -Always - Anywhere, Any time about Any thing

Philippians 4:6 New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ pray continually,

Y Yes to God's will and purpose

1 John 5:14-15 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Matthew 18:19 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

2 Corinthians 1:20 New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

I would also like to propose another acronym that could be a helpful tool as we engage in prayer.

PRAY
P -Praise

R - Repent

A -Ask

Y Yearn

I intend to do a series of posts focusing on each of these components of prayer.

Here is a link to Bible verses on prayer:

https://www.openbible.info/topics/prayer

Here is an encouraging song to motivate us to pray!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlGuh-zT84Q