As the disciples watched Jesus in prayer, they knew something was missing in their prayer life. They asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Centuries later we still need to be taught to pray. Prayer is more than duties from the head, it is desires from the heart. John Bunyan said, “Let your heart be without words than your words be without heart.” One verse teaches us to pray: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” The Trinity is involved in praying. “For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Eph. 2:18). Jews pray toward Jerusalem. Islam prays towards Mecca, but Christians can pray anytime, any place towards God in Heaven. Four essentials are involved in praying. (1) Abide in Christ: All the branch must do is abide in the vine and it will bring forth fruit. We must stay connected in union and communion with the Lord. (2) Agree with His Word and will instead of your wants. Abide is two–sided: We (1) abide in Christ and His (2) Word abides in us. When we pray, we talk to God. When we read the Word God talks to us. His abiding Word reveals both His will and our wants. Sin keeps us from the Bible and the Bible keeps us from sin. John Rice said, “If you want your prayers answered, then pray what God wants.” (3) Ask God. As you abide, agree, you must ask before there is an answer. Note: ASK means keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking until it is answered (Matt. 7:7-8). “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:2). John Rice also said that when we get to Heaven, we may see many gifts with our names, and we ask why we did not receive them? The angel could reply,” “You Did Not Ask.” Asking also involves praise, thankfulness, worship, and letting request be made known unto God (Phil. 4:5-7). (4) Answers from God. God invites us to pray so we will know the answer is from Him. As we make requests known, He will make answers known. Father knows best! Four answers to prayers: Yes – Not now – Later – You must be kidding (smile). I have also been thankful for some prayers God did not answer. “
The Word is our spiritual bankbook, our prayers are checks approved by Jesus Christ drawn from God’s infinite account that never depletes, decomposes, decreases, diminishes, depletes or is disapproved because of insufficient funds. Delays are difficult and answers are delightful. So keep on praying. We all need to pray more. Lord, teach us to pray: Abide, agree, ask and let Him answer for our good and His glory. No asking – No receiving. So the greatest enemy of prayer is Silence
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