Praying as We Ought To! Part Two

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Do you complain about your situation or pray about it? It’s like choosing between stirring a soup with a spoon or adding spices to give it flavor. Complaining is like stirring the pot. You are just rearranging the same ingredients without making any improvements. Another way we can say this is that it’s like being stuck in a river with rapids and faced with two options; either you can struggle against the current or ask for help from someone who can guide you safely. Because prayer is a language of the heart, it helps us express our deepest feelings. It is an opportunity to tell God what is on our minds and hearts and ask Him for help.

From yesterday’s daily devotional, we see that the first core of prayer starts with desire, as Jesus points out in Mark 11:24. The second core point is that prayer is a verbal communication ‘when you pray,’ It’s voiced in words, not thoughts. It’s why Peter could call Jesus’ attention by saying, ‘the fig tree you cursed.’ He heard Him say things. Several times in Jesus’ prayer life, they heard Him say something. It can’t be a prayer if words are not present. Even praying in the spirit involves saying foolish things to the human mind. The third core point Jesus affirms is faith ‘believe that you will receive them.’ You must know that what you desire shall be met.

James 1:6 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

Your goal shall be achieved, and as you pray, you are confident that they are yours. You receive by faith. Now, how do you receive what you pray for? You receive by words. It’s why Jesus will say, ‘whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be removed, and be cast into the sea ‘(very concrete terms), and shall not doubt in his heart (hope you do not doubt in your heart?), (it is by believing) that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he said. Notice the emphasis on speaking. He repeated it thrice. So, my friend, ask yourself, how definite have I been with my request in prayer? Have I consistently kept affirming what I believed I received, and perhaps most importantly, how grateful am I for what I have received and have even as I pray?

Prayer is a medium for you to express your desire before God. You need to have faith in the place of prayer for your prayer to be effective. When praying, focus on expressing what you desire from God rather than complaining about what isn’t right in your life. When we pray with a spirit of gratitude, our prayers will be more effective because they come from a place of faith rather than doubt or despair. Also, remember that when we pray, God listens and wants us to communicate with Him through this medium. 1 Timothy 2:8 says, “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.”

Prayer:
1. Father, I thank you for helping me learn how you work and because I know you will help me to do the same.
2. Lord, from today, I choose to be definite with my request in prayer. I ask and receive in Jesus’ name every time.