What Is Prayer? (By Pastor Nathaniel Gates)

 

What Is Prayer? Pastor Nathaniel Gates 

1. What is prayer

a. Prayer is talking with God. Opening up to Him and listening to Him.

2. Why do we pray?

a. God commands us - Luke 18:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 

Philippians 4:6-7

b. Christ's example - Mark 1:35

c. Paul's example - Paul prays 32 times in Scripture.

d. Spiritual Warfare - Ephesians 6:18

e. To Receive Mercy and Grace to help us - Hebrews 4:14-16

3. How do we pray?

a. Matthew 6:9-13

b. Pray.....P-Praise  R-Repent  A-Ask  Y-Yield 

4. What hinders prayers? 

a. Sin - Isaiah 59:1-2

b. Doubt - James 1:5-7

c. Relationships - 1 Peter 3:7

d. Unforgiveness - Matthew 6:15, Ephesians 4:32, 

e. Pride -1 Peter 5:5

f. Spiritual Powers - Ephesians 6:12-13

5. How to Discover the riches to prayer?

a. Obey His commands and do what pleases Him - 1 John 3:22

b. Ask according to the will of God - 1 John 5:14 

Prayer's Peace

"and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 
(Philippians 4:7)

 It was in the fall of 2008, that I prepared for surgery for prostate cancer. When I was diagnosed, I was frightened. I didn't know how far along the cancer was. I had never gone through surgery before. From the time I found out I had cancer, I began to pray. From August to November, I spent time praying that God would help me through this ordeal.

When I went to the hospital, the day of my surgery, I was so at peace.
I was calm, and did not have the anxiety I thought I would have.
Because of the days and moments I had spent in prayer, prior to this day, the Lord instilled in my heart an inner strength that sustained me, through this rough experience.

I know from experience what prayer can do. But prayer is not like a pain pill we can take, but prayer is a constant fellowship with the best friend we could ever have. A fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
I was drawn closer to the Him, through this experience, and felt His peace, as never before.

You can feel it too, in all things. Get in a habit of prayer.
You won't be sorry you did! GP

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Let's Pray!

Why does prayer have to be an after-thought?
I have heard these words" "Well, at least we can pray!" When everything else has been considered, we consider prayer. You ask, "Why should prayer be a priority?" "Why should we pray before we say and do anything in our lives?"

Before the eleven apostles cast lots to choose a twelfth apostle, it says in Acts 1:23 "So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias, then they prayed." I see prayer here as a very important action, because they brought God into making this significant decision concerning the apostolic leadership.

What challenge, or trial are you dealing with today? Do you yourself have the answer? Even as we begin each day of our lives, how can we be so self-sufficient, that we leave God out of our daily lives?

Prayer is that connection that brings God into our hearts, our lives, our life situations. We connect with the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. Why would we take on life (as difficult as it is) without the greatest power in the universe behind us?

In our quiet time we can share with God everything that is on our heart; about everything that is going on in our lives. He is there to listen, and He will act on our behalf, in His way, and in His time.

Prayer is not the least thing we can do, but it is the best thing we can do. Now, Let's pray! GP

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What Is Prayer To You?

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11) 

There are many who struggle with this verse of Scripture. If it is something that we feel would be in line with God's will for our lives, or the lives of others, why doesn't God grant our petition?
If someone we know is struggling with a terminal disease, and we prayed that God would heal them, but God doesn't; what good is prayer? Are we wasting our time with prayer?

As a child of God, I have to remember that God has a plan for all of man-kind, and He has a plan for me. When I stop and count my blessings,
I realize that God has blessed me with a number of wonderful blessings.

The Son of God encouraged us to ask, to knock, and to seek the will of the Heavenly Father.(Matthew 7:7-8) What we will be given, what door will be opened to us, and what we will find, may not be in line with our will for our lives, or the lives of others.

But as children of God, you can count on the fact that our heavenly Father will provide for us, what is good, and what is necessary. I cannot begin to explain the mysteries of God, and His providence. But one thing I know, that when I pray, I am praying to the one who loves me so much, that He was willing to give His best (His Son) so that I could have His best. Those precious eternal blessings that no one can take away!

Prayer for me is a a feeling of the presence of God with me, and a confirmation, that He will take care of me, no matter what!
What is prayer to you?

Philippians 4:6-7 GP

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Prayer: Medicine For A Hurting Heart!

I would have to say, that the hardest teaching that the Lord gave to us, is found in Matthew 5:44-45. "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you, that you may sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." 

Whenever someone hurts us, the natural tendency is to get even. By the use of harsh words, or hurtful actions, we seek to get our revenge. All of this stems from a heart that is full of hurt. And what Jesus tells to do here, goes against the grain of what we would really like to do, and that is to cause some hurt ourselves.

Have you ever read this admonition by Jesus and thought; How can people do this? How can I do this? The truth of the matter is, sometime in our lives, we have been hurt by people, and we have hurt people. Much of the time it's people that we have been very close to; both family and friends.

Jesus knew, that for the healing process to begin, the best medicine for the heart, is prayer. In the process of fulfilling the Lord's command to love our enemies, and to do good to those who hate us, prayer is the best thing that we can do. Even though it may take some time for the spiritual poison to leave our broken hearts, constant prayer is the best way to relieve the bitterness that keeps the heart sour, and in turmoil.

Prayer will take our broken heart to the person who knows how to mend it, and to help us to have a right perspective on our situation.
That person is Jesus. Have you been hurt today? Then take Jesus' advice, start praying. It will make a huge difference. Try it and see! GP

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The Prayer Of A Righteous Man

"...The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16b) 

 For us as Christians, prayer is our lifeline to heaven, straight to the throne of grace. In his letter, James shares how Elijah was a man of righteousness, and that his prayers had great effectiveness.

Remember the incident that is found in 1 Kings 17-18, with wicked King Ahab and Jezebel his queen. They had led Israel into the worship of Baal. God punished Israel by holding back the rain. For three and a half years there was no rain to support the crops, to produce any food. And then Elijah challenged the priest of Baal on Mount Carmel. All day long the priests cried out to their god, but no answer came. When the time for the evening sacrifice came, Elijah repaired the altar, and prepared the sacrifice. And then with one prayer, fire came down from heaven to consume the sacrifice. God heard Elijah's prayer.

I believe that God hears our prayers, and answers them according to His will for our lives. Prayer is not the least thing we can do, but it should be the first thing we do, and it will be the best thing, that we can do.

While we wait for the Lord to perform His will, we will be encouraged by His promises to take care of us, and His presence in our hearts, and in our lives. It is not a waste of time to pray. Prayer will accomplish more that we realize.

But it's up to us to make it a priority practice. It is a step of faith on our part, believing that this act of fellowship will accomplish much for us, for others, as we journey towards eternity. GP

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Seeking The Lord

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me. and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4) 

Do you look to the Lord everyday, or once in awhile, or hardly ever?

 Having the Lord be a big part of our lives, will bring to us big blessings. I am not talking about material blessings, but I am talking about blessings, such as the one, David mentions in our text.

When he sought the Lord, the Lord heard his prayer, and delivered him from all his fears. That is a big blessing for us, because we have fears about what is going to happen to us in the future. Uncertainty can be a heavy burden, especially when we are going through a serious trial.

Many people (including myself) have insecurities that are difficult to deal with. The big questions in times of trial are, "What am I going to do now?" "How am I going to deal with this?"  If we have been seeking the Lord, on a regular basis, we will know for certain, what the answers are to those questions.

In our time together with the Lord, we learn that we can trust Him, that we can rest in His care, and that step by step, we are going to watch God bring things together, to meet our need.

So let's not hesitate, and let's not procrastinate. Let's seek the Lord on a regular basis, and place ourselves in His wisdom, strength, and care. GP

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