Daily Friendship with God #5 Prayer

There are many different aspects involved in building and maintaining a relationship. One of the foundational aspects of building and maintaining a relationship occurs when two individuals interact in conversation. Prayer is one of the ways we interact with God to build and maintain relationship with Him. Like all other expressions of faith when we pray we are talking to God as an act of faith. 

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

We start and continue our relationship with God by and through Prayer. Jesus life on earth is the example to us as how we are to live our lives on earth. While Jesus was on earth He prayed to our heavenly Father. 

Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. (John 11:41)

Now it came to pass in those days that He (Jesus) went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12)

Jesus prayed to our Father in times of great joy.

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. (Luke 10:21)

Jesus prayed to our Father in His greatest time of difficulty.

Then He said to them (His disciples), “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will. (Mark 14:34-36)

Jesus said “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart (to be utterly spiritless and exhausted) ”. (Luke 18:1)

The apostle Paul wrote in the Bible.

Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

When I read the above verses it would seem that when it comes to prayer what I am to do is just go sit in solitude and do nothing else but pray for the rest of my life. Well that is not the totality of the example that Jesus lived on earth. This brings about the question what is meant when the bible makes a statement like “pray constantly”? God desires to be a part of our life in a way that all throughout all waking hours we will be in relationship with Him. Practically this means when I am talking to the checkout person at the grocery store I would say to God “what would you like to say to this person?”. It means when a stressful situation comes up while driving on the road or while talking to a family member then you will talk to God as to what His thoughts are in the matter at hand. In other words Gods goal is for us to be in communication with Him in every thought. I personally can say I have not accomplished that depth of relationship with God yet but I know I talk to Him more than ever before.    

Jesus is giving us not only example but some understanding about the powerful benefit of praying. Jesus was saying as long as you are praying you will not be utterly wearied and exhausted. 

Jesus said many things about prayer here is another

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly (Matthew 6:6)

This shows us there is time that is to be set apart, in private, to spend alone with God in prayer to grow our relationship with Him. 

In addition Jesus even gives us a model of how to pray. Please note this is meant to be more of an outline when you spend time with God rather than praying exactly the way it is written. As was noted in the last Daily Friendship with God each thought can to turn into interactive conversation with God. Jesus said:

In this manner, therefore, pray Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

Prayer first has an effect on us individually in this way, who you are in relationship with is who you become like. The more time you spend with God in prayer the more you will be like Him. Oh and by the way becoming more like God is His goal for you because He created you in His image and likeness. In addition to this God is love and when become more like Him you become more loving. Each and every one of us desires to have more love in our life. Prayer is one of the primary ways God effectively changes us into His image of love. Love is powerful and it has a powerful effect on us and others. God in His wisdom has chosen to have us communicate with Him through prayer. God has also chosen to use prayer as a means to communicate His love towards others. One way that God shows His love is by giving people the opportunity to heal relationships through agreeing that you have done wrong to someone else (confessing your sin to each other). Doing so brings many types of healing such as emotional, mental and physical as noted in the book of James: 

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

The effect of fervent prayer, of a righteous man, has great power and produces many results. (James 5:16b)

There are many forms of prayer noted in the Bible

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

In this we see that three forms of prayer 1) Prayer: The foundation that leads to a growing relationship with God. 2) Petition: seeking, asking for the essential needs of  human well-being (Luke 12:22–31). 3) Thanksgiving: the expression of gratitude towards God for supplying all of your needs according to His riches and glory (Philippians 4:19)

The benefits of prayer are amazing! Through prayer we gain peace that goes beyond our ability to understand and protection of our hearts and minds! There is another aspect of prayer available to those that are believers. 

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2)

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.. (1 Corinthians 14:4)

if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays (1 Corinthians 14:14a)

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 20-21)

Praying in a tongue is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10), is a signs that follows (as to be always at a person’s side) those who believe in Jesus name 3) builds up the spiritual life of a believer (1 Corinthians 14:4). 

“If you then, being evil (in comparison to your heavenly Father), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13) 

Take a moment right now to pray and ask your heavenly Father to give you the gift of praying in tongues, which will be discussed in Daily Friendship with God #17. Next believe that He will give you that gift of the Holy Spirit which can include the gift of tongues. God loves you and has provided prayer as a way for you to connect with Him. He is always there for you. Start your day with a Good morning prayer, continue in prayer as you go about your day and end your day with talking to God in Prayer and you will be blessed in your heart and mind!