Talking of Jesus

I want to encourage you to pray. All spiritual understanding comes from God, through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who leads us into all truth. (John 14:25-27) Prayer is our connection with God, through the Spirit of Jesus. Prayer is based on faith, without which it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:5-7 )

 

Prior to the disciples of Jesus being baptized with the Holy Spirit, Jesus explained that the Spirit was with them and soon would be in them. (John 14:16-18) The Holy Spirit starts its work early on for the person God is calling. It moves the person to hear the word. It stages the person’s introduction to the gospel by bringing the preacher and the new person together. It enlightens the person to hear the word with their heart, to grasp spiritual truths and to desire this relationship with God.

 

May God’s blessing pour out on you, if hearing and heeding you now seek God, through prayer.

 

When we are new to prayer, it can feel odd and awkward, but please do persevere, for assuredly God has his hand on you and will complete the work in you he has begun. He has called you to be His son or daughter in Jesus’ footsteps and invites you into glory, eternally.

 

We do not have to wait to embark on this new life and relationship. We do it now through prayer.

 

How do people pray? Many races and cultures have different ways to approach prayer. Some kneel with head bent. Some stand with face upturned to heaven and hands extended up and outward. Some bow low with face to the ground. At times people prostrate themselves.

 

What does the Bible say? (Matthew 6:5-14) We are to pray in private, giving God glory, with a humble heart (not stiff-necked and proud) with a repentant, and likewise, forgiving heart. Know that God knows your needs before you even utter the words. (Matthew 6:25-34)

 

The Spirit itself will speak on our behalf if we cannot articulate our thoughts or if we are overwhelmed by emotion. (1 Corinthians 14:13-15)

 

We are warned against repetitious and rote prayer, God likes it fresh from the heart, an earnest prayer with passion. Stand in awe of God and let each word be meaningful. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)

 

 

 

Our hearts must also be right with each other. (James 3:17 – 4:12) It is important that we pray in faith, believing, but also persevering in patience as God works out his plan for you. (James 5:13-20)

 

You see? Your physical position is not as important as your attitude of heart.

 

Below are excerpts from fellow believers regarding their experiences in prayer, they have shared their personal accounts with you to inspire and encourage you to find your “rhythm” in your walk and talk with God. I hope you find their words and thoughts encouraging.

 

“It's a new thing to most people who come, learning to kneel down before God and talk to him can be hard. Just the very act of kneeling down and saying 'hello' may be all they can manage to start with.” 

 

“People just starting off may be easier 'counting their blessings'.” 

 

“I thank him for the recent blessings He gives us and for being there for us in time of need etc.”

 

“I often cry, overwhelmed with all that God is and his goodness.” 

 

“I have to say that I don't pray often on my knees these days unless it is to be a very urgent and short petition for God's mercy in a matter.”

 

“I really prefer to kneel as I concentrate better, and in times of need and the desire to be really fervent it is important to kneel.”

 

“I am hopeless - I have to be active. As soon as I get down and bow my head it seems to me to be the most comfortable position to fall asleep and to my dismay I usually do!”

 

“I do not kneel down for very long - 10 minutes or so is my limit, I generally sit in the armchair”.

 

“These days I talk to God spontaneously - every time I do my daily walk - I wrap a scarf around my neck and over my mouth so people can't tell I'm speaking - speaking (quietly of course) keeps me focused - if I don't, my mind tends to wander off the subject!”

 

“I do have a list of reminders, mainly of people who have requested prayers.” 

 

“I always address God as Almighty God, our Heavenly Father and begin by remembering His many qualities and praise Him for them”.

 

“A big blessing over the years has been learning (still learning!) to be absolutely honest, with no secrets, nothing I pretend isn't there, eventually it all comes out into the open and I confess.  That does make a difference in the relationship.  If we ask God to show us our sins and weaknesses - always with his mercy - he will.” 

 

“Early in my prayer life, I would go armed with a 'prayer list' to the appointed place and struggle to be fervent, not repetitive, and would come away feeling a failure. I always knew there was something better somewhere!”

 

“I read an article years ago from a Christian woman who said she sits down every day and writes God a letter - so I started doing it too - it was great because it gave me clarity of thought - you can't sleep while you are writing. Also I had a record of my prayers and sometimes I would read them again later and know that God had granted my petitions”.

 

“Now, prayer has become very different again - it is far more of a conversation. I always have pen and paper handy so I can write things down that come to mind - from God - or things that I need to look at further or discuss (with others).”

 

“I have over time come to rely on writing my prayers down, as this stabilizes the flightiness of my thoughts. I am more able to stay on topic, and think about what is yet to be said to God.”

 

“I have learnt to become instant in prayer, one is constantly talking to God throughout the day, bringing pesky thoughts back under control, and seeking his help.”

 

“My life is busy and my head is busy and thoughts flitter about endlessly. This tendency hampers long meaningful prayers and always has.”

 

“We receive "PrayerLines" each week which is pages of people with terrible health and personal problems.  I have to concentrate on just a few specifically, while praying generally for the rest - apart from the list, most of my prayer is fairly free-ranging and can get a bit rambly, but I know I am communing with God.”

 

“making many requests on behalf of my friends and ourselves.”

 

“…then they may move to their problems, the things they need help with.”

 

“Now, I know my relationship with God hinges on his abiding love. He is ever there with a listening ear, he listens to me when I am rejoicing, and when I am troubled. Sometimes when I am in prayer I “hear” his comforting words back to me, or I “hear” of a plan I can put in place, or I “see” a way forward.”

 

“I struggled with prayer for many years, often getting up and walking away at times.  But in spite of that, God never left me and was always there for me and I can see his guidance over the years in spite of my failings.”

 

“I should also add that I often thank Christ for His sacrifice and purify me with His blood.”

 

“I have prostrated myself face down more than once.”

 

“I also repent of my sins.”

 

“I have three constant threads woven through my prayer:  thanks, praise and worship.” 

 

“..and then  talk about the things happening on the world scene and my desire for His kingdom and how great that will be.”

 

“It is learning that it is a personal, private relationship where one can be oneself, say anything.”

 

“I used to think that my relationship with God depended on my sinlessness, but being imperfect, I would be doomed if that was the case. Now, I know my relationship with God hinges on his abiding love.”

 

“I enjoy the Sabbath where I can shut myself away with the bible and meditate and commune for as long as I like.”

 

“Always end my prayers in and through the Name of Jesus Christ our High Priest, Saviour, friend and older brother.”

 

“I have been a Christian for x years. Before that I had a relationship with God, but more like a trickle, not the strong flowing river of trust and love that I am aware of today.”

 

“God wants us to talk to him, he wants to talk to us, he wants us to get to know him and he wants to know us (and thus we get to know ourselves).” 

 

“God hears our prayers and is ever ready to respond in love.”

 

“It's amazing that he shows us what to do, helps us to do, and then blesses us for doing it!”

 

“I know I am communing with God.”

 

 

From these generous contributions regarding personal prayer experience, we can see a few key points which you may find encouraging.

 

Firstly, initially we all seem to need to find our way in prayer and seek a prayer schedule which suits our personality, our needs and our physical limitations.

 

Prayer life develops as we get to know God more intimately and come to understand His power in our lives better.

 

Prayer can be managed anywhere, anytime, as we send our thoughts and praise to Him throughout the day…and as we seek his help when we are struggling with situations we are finding challenging.

 

Themes of praise, worship, reverence and thankfulness run through prayer.

 

Humility and acknowledgement of our weak human state and need for mercy is obvious.

 

Love is also clearly an underlying motivation in prayer. Love for God, His love for us, love and care for our family and friends and for the world as a whole.

 

We ask God to intervene and Christ to intercede on our behalf.

 

Having undisturbed time can be a challenge, but people are very creative in managing this.

 

Prayer is communion with God, this can be via thoughts, meditation, spoken word or written word. I am often encouraged by the picture of God walking in the Garden seeking fellowship with the first couple. This image reveals to me that He desires a relationship with us too. This is a great comfort.