Prayer, abused, misunderstood, misused. What has prayer not seen?
Yet, prayer is one powerful tool of life.
We all pray, we all make requests. Everyday we talk to people and ask for things.
BUT WHAT IS PRAYER?
Prayer has a simple definition, it is talking to someone, it is making a request from a being superior to you.
The fact that we have needs and seek help every now and then means we must pray.
THE CONCEPT OF PRAYER
I always cherish my frequent visit to the Court House on days I am able to.
When you enter the Court Room, you'll understand the concept of prayer better.
When in the Court room, you'll hear the judge say 'let me hear your prayers'
He/she is simply saying how can I help you.
The judge is simply saying; 'you are in a fix, you have a heavy heart and no one is giving you a listening ear but I am here to listen to you.'
Prayer was initiated because the frailty of human became too visible and as generation passed on, the need to maintain a consistent prayer life beckoned.
Prayer is not for Christians alone, even though they have taken up this subject matter devoid of in-depth understanding of the subject matter.
In our homes, we ask others for help to do things we cannot do.
Prayer is talking to someone and being talked to.
UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF PRAYER
Prayer is not just making a request or talking to someone or a being superior to you or is deeper than that, prayer is an endless, ceaseless flow of interaction.
Prayer is for intimacy. This was the first and sole aim of God's creation of man. He wanted someone to talk to in the cool of the day.
For sometime now, we have seen prayer to be an event, as an activity you engage in to escape trouble or to get a need met.
This is not true. Prayer was introduced for fellowship, for intimacy.
As a couple spend time together fraternizing and bonding so also God wanted prayer to be.
Did you see God coming down at the cool of the day with the sole aim of talking to and with man? Check Genesis 3.
Just like couples stay together, engage in recreational activities like having sex, sporting, cuddling and deep heart to heart discussions to know themselves, deepen and strengthen the bond between them; that was the exact intention for prayer, where as his child you can spar with Him, He tells you historic things that only a few are privy to know.
Prayer is therapeutic. Imagine a therapist's couch but this one is free!
Sometimes the events of life can unfold rapidly, all of a sudden something is happening and you can't visit a doctor or go see a friend. Knowing there is someone you can talk to freely without feeling judged is soul lifting.
Just talking to God, telling him your fears, your strengths, letting Him know You've messed up again, letting Him know the extent to which the damage has been done is a big relief to the soul.
I like that Jehovah is always just a talk away. I remember it and it gives me strength.
CULTIVATING A MEANINGFUL PRAYER LIFE
Prayer is a lifestyle not an event, we must build a life of prayer to be able to truly pray by:
1. Having a relationship with the One you are praying to.
2. Learning to be open. Stop hiding your pain or faults. Lay it out.
3. Making praying a regular feature of daily activities. You don't need a special time, pray everywhere.
4. Reading the Bible to help you learn about Jesus and his will.
ACTION POINT
Do not wait for the perfect time, Pray now.