PRAYer

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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:



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

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