What is Prayer

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Permalink Reply by Seek on March 10, 2014 at 6:39am

To me it means opening your heart to God and listening, having a continual dialogue with Him throughout the day.  You don't have to be kneeling, in church, in a prayer closest...you don't have to use eloquent words as the Spirit prays FOR us. 

A friend and I went to minister to another friend who'd left church and was engaging in some bad decisions.  We spent 3 hours talking to her and praying with her.  Kathy was much more eloquent in prayer as she's been at it a lot longer than I.  I ran out of words to say, so instead, I let Kathy do the praying in words and I just began to sing "Let the Glory Come Down".  I sat there and sang for perhaps half an hour as Kathy prayed.  I don't believe it means I wasn't praying, but maybe I was just the backup orchestra.  ;-) 

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Permalink Reply by Carla on March 10, 2014 at 7:01am

Sathish,

I love this topic, it's so important.  This topic has been coming up with my son (he's 10) as I dialogue with him to help him understand the importance of prayer.  He says that he doesn't like to pray... right now it's uncomfortable for him.  Learning to address this with him is a delicate balance because I don't want him to feel condemned for not wanting to pray, but at the same time, I want him to understand the importance of talking to the One who counsels, heals, comforts and forgives. 

Prayer to me means submitting and humbling myself to seek God and ask for His intervention in my life and the lives of others.  I believe that we have to sometimes fight a spiritual battle to even pray... the enemy does not want us to pray.  Sometimes it may 'feel' difficult to pray because of various reasons, I believe this is a spiritual battle. 

It's not a matter of 'wanting' to pray, but 'needing' to pray.  I Need God's counsel, healing, comfort and forgiveness.... I also want them.  In order to want these things from God, we also must realize how much we need them.  I have prayed at times just to connect with God.  I'll say something like 'God, I need You now...but I don't have anything to say'.  Sometimes my prayers will just be tears.  Other times my prayers are articulate and filled with purpose.  We are called to intercede for others.... when we do that I believe God blesses those prayers because they are selfless and 'others' focused.

As I said earlier, I love this topic, and I look forward to hearing from others.  I've been praying for help and encouragement in regards to my youngest son knowing, understanding and living the importance of prayer.

Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by Miss Kitty on March 12, 2014 at 8:19pm

PRAYER TO ME IS A CONTINUING RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FATHER. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MY NEEDS OR OTHER'S NEEDS, IT'S TALKING TO HIM AND LISTENING TO HIM. IT'S ABOUT MAKING HIM FIRST IN EVERYTHING I DO. WE DO IT ALL TOGETHER, I'M ALWAYS TALKING TO HIM OR PRAYING AND LOOKING FOR HIM IN ALL THINGS. WHEN YOU LOOK FOR HIM, YOU WILL SEE HIM, WHEN YOU LISTEN FOR HIM TO SPEAK YOU HEAR HIM. IT MAY BE IN THE BIBLE, A CHRISTIAN BOOK, IN MY CHILDREN, WHATEVER WAY HE CHOOSES TO TALK AND TEACH ME. I SEE HIM AND HEAR HIM ON AAG AND THROUGH MANY OTHERS. I MUST STAY TUNED TO HIM, I DONT WANT TO MISS ANYTHING. I LOVE THE INTIMACY I HAVE WITH HIM. IF YOU WANT INTIMACY, YOU MUST INCLUDE HIM IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE. I LAUGH AT TIMES,IF SOMEONE WAS TO WALK UP ON ME THEY WOULD WONDER, WHO IS THIS WOMAN TALKING TOO? I WOULDNT HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY. I ALWAYS TELL HIM HOW I FEEL, HE KNOWS ANYWAY, THE ONE THING HE LOVES IS FOR HIS CHILDREN TO BE HONEST WITH HIM. ONE DAY I WAS REALLY UPSET, WAITING AND WAITING. I TOLD HIM EXACTLY HOW I FELT. I GOT TO THINKING ABOUT IT, OH,  HE'S GOING TO GET REAL UPSET WITH ME AND GIVE ME A REAL LASHING. WELL I TELL YOU THIS, IT WASNT LONG AND HE SHOWED ME IN A CHRISTIAN BOOK I WAS READING, GOD LOVES FOR YOU TO BE HONEST WITH HIM! HE KNOWS YOUR HEART, HE CREATED YOU, HE KNOWS ALL THINGS, EVEN BEFORE YOU SPEAK IT!!  WE WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING FOR OUR CHILDREN TO BE HONEST WITH US, AND KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN. SAME THING IN A MARRIAGE . IT CREATES INTIMACY, YOU BUILD A STRONG BOND. TO ME, THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO PRAY CONTINUALLY. HE WANTS THAT INTIMACY WITH HIS CHILDREN. HE LOVES US SO MUCH!!! MORE THAN WE CAN EVER COMPREHEND. GOD BLESS YOU ALL IN GROWING YOUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on March 12, 2014 at 8:45pm

Hi Brother Sathish,

I can see believers experiencing prayer results in all your settings above.

There are no firm or set parameters about praying, or how to get regular results.

I readily agree with Char, Carla, and Kay in their posts. One theme we all have in common is to be honest, upfront, and faithful in our relationship with Him.

I rise before dawn usually.......and love to go outside and have a conversation with the Lord. It's a great way to start one's day.......before the world wakes up. Yes, it's an on-going thing all day into the evening.

It's a natural thing.............

And we all know .....there's plenty to pray about.

Grace and Peace.

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