Someone has said that prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confessions of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies. Prayer is communion with God.  Prayer is a sense of God’s presence.  Prayer is turning the soul to God.  Prayer is loving God.  Prayer is knowing God.
         The purpose of prayer is to express our submission to the sovereignty of God and our trust in His faithfulness. Prayer is the means by which we express all that is in our hearts to our loving and wise heavenly Father. Prayer is not to give God information, because God knows everything. Prayer brings us into reverent communion with God, worshipping Him and acknowledging Him as the Giver of all things.
         We can strongly relate to the disciple who requested of Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) In response to that request, Jesus gave to them the model prayer to serve as a guide in helping to seek the Father.

 What are some aspects of prayer found in the Bible?

     1. CONFESSION OF SIN - Sin is the greatest roadblock to prayer. Confession is simply
         agreeing with God about my sin. (Psalm 51; Psalm 66:18; I John 1:9)

     2. PRAISE – Praising God for who and what He is (Psalm 63:3; Psalm 34:1-3)
         His goodness, His patience, His love, His wisdom, His greatness, His knowledge, His
         power, His holiness, His glory, His grace.

     3. INTERCESSION - praying for others. Intercession is love on its knees.
         You should  have
         a list of names of others for you to uphold in prayer.

     4. PETITION - Asking God for personal needs.

     5. THANKSGIVING - Thanking God for His many blessings in your life.

     6. MEDITATION - Thinking deeply about the truths of God’s Word.

     7. LISTENING - Being still to hear God’s impressions upon your heart for the needs of
         your life.


 Why should believers engage in prayer?
      Very simply, because God’s Word commands it. (Isaiah 55:6; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18;  I Timothy 2:1,8; I John 5:14,15)
      We should pray because we need to. Because there is a devil. Because Prayer is God’s appointed way for obtaining things. Because prayer was important to Jesus. Because of what prayer accomplishes.
 

Go to: The Prayer Ministry at FBC Gonzales

(Material adapted from "Lord, Teach Us to Pray...", (c) 1982 Life Action Ministries)