I Should Pray
Now that I'm a Christian, I should pray. Prayer is a wonderful part of my Christian life. It is my chance to communicate with God, to share with Him my problems and victories, and to raise my voice in worship to my Saviour.
WHAT IS PRAYER?
Prayer is talking with God. Sometimes it is calling to God for help, sometimes it is sharing with Him your needs and those of others, sometimes it is thanking Him for His blessings.
There are several kinds of prayer:
Petition. This means asking God to meet certain needs. There is nothing wrong with asking the Lord for His help in all the details of your life. In fact, He encourages us to come to Him with all our needs.
Thanksgiving. Don't forget to thank God for what He has already done for you. In fact, this is a good way to begin your prayer times. For one thing, it builds your faith to remember what God has already done for you.
Praise. This is something like thanksgiving, but centers on what God is instead of what He has done.
Worship. There will be times when sentences cannot fully express your feelings, and you can only express yourself to God by saying praise words like "glory" or "hallelujah." You may even become silent as you kneel or sit in God's presence, overwhelmed at the sense of His nearness.
Intercession. You may become gripped with the need of someone else, until you feel burdened to keep on praying until you have the assurance that God has answered your prayer. This is one of the greatest kinds of prayer, for in it you are thinking of others. It is especially important to pray for the salvation of friends who have not yet accepted Christ.
TO WHOM DO WE PRAY?
Basically, prayer is simply talking to God in your own words. All of our prayers should be directed to God and never to any other being, image, or power. Jesus said: "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10).
We have access to God through Jesus Christ. He said: "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you" (John 16:23).
WHAT ABOUT "UNANSWERED" PRAYERS?
This is an important lesson to learn: God answers every prayer. Sometimes He says, "Yes," sometimes He says, "No," and often He says, "Wait." But time spent in prayer is never wasted. You see, even more than what He does for you, God is interested in what He can do in you.
WHEN SHOULD YOU PRAY?
Most Christians have found it is best to have one or more special times for prayer every day. God is always ready to hear our prayers. No Christian can live his spiritual life without prayer any more than he can live his physical life without food. You will be sustained and strengthened spiritually and helped in every way by a daily life of communion with your heavenly Father.
QUESTIONS
Now that you are a Christian, have you been spending some time in prayer every day? Are you worshipping God, asking Him to meet your needs, praying for other people, and thanking Him for His blessings?
Remember, prayer is a very important part of your new Christian life
WHAT IS PRAYER?
Prayer is talking with God. Sometimes it is calling to God for help, sometimes it is sharing with Him your needs and those of others, sometimes it is thanking Him for His blessings.
There are several kinds of prayer:
Petition. This means asking God to meet certain needs. There is nothing wrong with asking the Lord for His help in all the details of your life. In fact, He encourages us to come to Him with all our needs.
Thanksgiving. Don't forget to thank God for what He has already done for you. In fact, this is a good way to begin your prayer times. For one thing, it builds your faith to remember what God has already done for you.
Praise. This is something like thanksgiving, but centers on what God is instead of what He has done.
Worship. There will be times when sentences cannot fully express your feelings, and you can only express yourself to God by saying praise words like "glory" or "hallelujah." You may even become silent as you kneel or sit in God's presence, overwhelmed at the sense of His nearness.
Intercession. You may become gripped with the need of someone else, until you feel burdened to keep on praying until you have the assurance that God has answered your prayer. This is one of the greatest kinds of prayer, for in it you are thinking of others. It is especially important to pray for the salvation of friends who have not yet accepted Christ.
TO WHOM DO WE PRAY?
Basically, prayer is simply talking to God in your own words. All of our prayers should be directed to God and never to any other being, image, or power. Jesus said: "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10).
We have access to God through Jesus Christ. He said: "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you" (John 16:23).
WHAT ABOUT "UNANSWERED" PRAYERS?
This is an important lesson to learn: God answers every prayer. Sometimes He says, "Yes," sometimes He says, "No," and often He says, "Wait." But time spent in prayer is never wasted. You see, even more than what He does for you, God is interested in what He can do in you.
WHEN SHOULD YOU PRAY?
Most Christians have found it is best to have one or more special times for prayer every day. God is always ready to hear our prayers. No Christian can live his spiritual life without prayer any more than he can live his physical life without food. You will be sustained and strengthened spiritually and helped in every way by a daily life of communion with your heavenly Father.
QUESTIONS
Now that you are a Christian, have you been spending some time in prayer every day? Are you worshipping God, asking Him to meet your needs, praying for other people, and thanking Him for His blessings?
Remember, prayer is a very important part of your new Christian life
