1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
What honestly is prayer? How does it work? Simply put,
prayer is our direct line of communication with our Heavenly Father. It is not
just us talking to God, but it is also creating space for God to speak to us.
Prayer is not a one-way street, but a dialogue, a
relationship, a communion with the Creator of the universe who loves us more
than we can comprehend. It is a sacred time to express our gratitude, confess
our sins, express our needs, and intercede for others. But it is also a time to
listen, to seek wisdom, guidance, comfort, and strength from the Almighty.
But how does it work? Can we change God’s mind with our
prayers? Can our prayers heal? Do some prayers go unanswered? These are
questions that have puzzled believers for centuries.
The first thing we need to understand is that prayer does
not change God; it changes us. James 4:8 tells us, "Draw near to God,
and he will draw near to you." When we engage in prayer, we are
drawing nearer to God, aligning our spirits with His. As we do so, we allow Him
to transform our hearts and minds to be more like His.
We might pray for something fervently, but if it is not in
line with God's will for our lives, then it might not happen as we wish. But
that does not mean our prayers go unanswered. As we read in Isaiah 55:8-9,
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Prayer does not provide us with a magic wand to wave and get whatever we want. We are warned in James 4:3 about this: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Instead, it paves a path of understanding, surrender, and acceptance of God’s will, even when it does not align with our desires.
Sometimes, our prayers are answered in ways we had never expected or foreseen. Though Jesus gives us the promise in John 16:23: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. We will recieve what we ask for, but only according to God's will and in His own timing.
Our prayers can indeed bring healing, not necessarily
because we command God to do so, but because we believe in His power and His
promises. We read in James 5:14-15, "Is anyone among you sick? Let them
call the elders of the church to pray over them... And the prayer offered in
faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up."
Prayer cultivates a relationship. It is through consistent,
heartfelt prayer that we grow closer to our Father and come to understand His
heart. Like any relationship, our relationship with God requires time, energy,
honesty, and commitment.
So, I would encourage each of us to deepen our prayer lives.
Whether you are a seasoned prayer warrior or someone unsure of how to start,
remember that prayer is not a formula, but a relationship. If you do not know
where to start, simply start with, "God, I need you..." and let the
conversation flow from there.
Remember, my dear friends, God is always listening, always
present, and always eager to interact with us. Do not be reluctant to reach out
to Him in prayer, for He is waiting with open arms. May God bless each of you
and guide you on your prayer journey. Let us follow in Jesus’ example:
Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thine kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, give us this
day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen.