Prayer

by Julius King Kwedhi

"Jesus taught His disciples to pray so that they will not get discouraged, and so that they will not fall into temptations. Prayer keeps us awake at all times."
(Luke 18:1)

Through prayer, God has given us the power to change things; to casts out demons, to heals the sick, performs miracles. Prayer is our means of connecting us straight to God

"So Jesus said to them... assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:20-21 NKJV

Prayer should not be a burden, regardless of what condition you are in or may find yourself in. Once it becomes a burden you will not enjoy that moment of prayer anymore, for it has now become unpleasant.

Prayer should be something you enjoy, love and always look forward to, for therein is beauty, fellowship and intimacy with God.

Remember that as Christians, when we pray, our prayers rise up straight to God in Heaven, before His throne, as a sweet smelling aroma. As such, you want God to smell your prayer and lovingly smile at it as He hears it beautifully rise up to His throne. Let it rise with love and honour for your Father. Let it rise in faith and complete trust. Let your prayer rise with confidence and gratitude. Let it rise in holiness and righteousness.

When we pray, God shows up in the Might of His power. He reveals His miraculous power through our humble prayers. It was while the disciples where praying, on the day of Pentecost, that the Holy Spirit came down upon the 120 disciples, which included the apostles, in the upper room. And on that great day, and they all spoke in unknown tongues, and a great ministry was wrought, by the enablement of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer is never in vain. It is never useless to pray. And as long as there is the breath of life in you, it is never too late to pray. Pray as often as you can. Even in the midst of adversity. Especially then, for in adversity His power is revealed with much glory.

There is no standard time given, but pray for as long as you can. A minute is not too little. An hour is not too long. However, do not let time hinder you.

Do not be discouraged if others are laughing at you. Just make sure you pray in the right place - not in the street corners or in the marketplace for all to hear. Prayer is between you and God, not between you and the crowd. Otherwise it would be a show, which it is not meant to be.

Further Scripture Reading:

"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:36 NKJV

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit."
James 5:13-18 NKJV

"Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.”
1 Kings 18:41-43 NKJV

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