The church on the World Wide Web Key Skills

If you are viewing this page right now, then it must be because you are interested in learning more about prayer. This is a great start. God loves it when His people want to engage Him in conversation. Basically, this is what prayer is. Talking to God, and listening to God. The disciples of Jesus saw that His life was one of great power and victory. The reason for this, was due to His life of prayer. That's why they said, 'Lord, teach us how to pray.' (Luke. 11:1). So that they could pray like Him. Jesus spent a lot of time teaching his disciples. So please be patient as the Lord teaches you how to pray. You will get better, and more confident, as you follow the teaching that Jesus gives. God is your loving father The first thing that Jesus teaches about prayer, is that we can speak to God as our Father. That's who He is. In fact, God intends our relationship with Him to be so intimate, that we can call Him daddy (Romans. 8:15). When you know Him, and can talk to Him as your father, you will be filled with confidence before Him. Confidence before God will lead you to faith. Faith of a kind that is honest, bold, and persistent. His spirit in you will encourage you to go to Him like this frequently (1 John. 3:1). Take your time, call Him your Father as you speak to Him. Remember, what you think about God will determine how you pray, and how often you pray. It is crucial to our life of prayer, that we know in our hearts, and minds, that God accepts us unconditionally (John. 16:26-27). Pray with the word of God The disciples grew as they learned how to pray. So will you. For more effective praying, Jesus taught the importance of, you in Christ, and His Word in you (John. 15:7). The Lord is as good as His Word. Therefore, if you can pray through the Word of God, your prayer life will become very powerful indeed. A Christian who prays using the Word of God is someone that the devil needs to fear (yes, he does exist). Study your Bible until you have read the print off the pages! Get wisdom (Proverbs. 4:5-7). As you pray, ask the Lord to reveal His will to you. Ask the Lord to reveal His Word to you. The Holy Spirit, who came to you when you were saved will remind you of all that Jesus has said (John. 14:26; John. 16:13-15). When you pray about anything, and the Lord makes His Word known to you concerning that prayer, then pray with the Word that He gives you. You will be praying in the Spirit (Ephesians. 6:18). Jesus spoke like this. Jesus prayed like this. Jesus answered every situation with the Word of God (John. 14:10; John. 17:1-26; Matthew. 4:4). Many things will come to you to discourage you from prayer. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN! Don't let anything you may hear people say put you off. Don't let anything you see put you off. None of these things are a reason to stop, or give up (Luke. 18:1). Remember, the Word of God is good for every situation. To pray like this reveals God's purpose for your life (1 Thessalonians. 5:16-18). Praying in the name of Jesus Christ When you are in Christ, with His Word in you, you can also pray in His name (John. 14:20; John. 15:7). It is through the blood of Christ that we are acceptable to God. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that our prayers are acceptable to God (John. 14:13-14). The reason is simple. There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Of all other names that God has been known by, there is none higher, our more beautiful than Jesus (Philippians. 2:9-11). Therefore, your access to God is the same as any apostle, our priest, past or present. Your access to God is the same as mine. It is through Christ. A new and living way is opened up before us, so that we can come to God and pray. Jesus us vital to our coming into the presence of God. The name of Jesus Christ on our lips, is just as vital when we pray, and carries great power (John. 15:16; John. 16:23-24). Not only can we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, but we can agree together as we pray in His name as well (Matthew. 18:19-20). There is great power in the prayer of a group of christians (even a small group), when they are in agreement about anything they ask for in the name of Jesus. Praying in agreement with each other, is the outcome of living in agreement with each other (Psalm. 133:1-3). What things can you put to the Lord in prayer from now on? To finish with This study is not an exhaustive approach. In fact, it is not even a comprehensive approach. Prayer is a great subject. So please do join your local church prayer group, learn to pray with other christians. You will bless them, they will bless you. Pray often by yourself. Remember, that your relationship with Christ is the single most important thing that you have. God bless you. Download this key skill in text form.