Why We Must Pray
Jesus is our Leader and ultimate example and if we are his disciples we must follow His example. He told a parable in Luke 18 to show that (we) “should always pray and never give up”
The Christian is a conduit of God’s Grace. A conduit has to be placed in line to function. It must be set in between the supply (Source) and delivery in order to work. The supply is Heaven in this case and the Holy Spirit. The delivery line is the Church. We are the conduits.
Prayer is very important in the life of a Christian. We are in a battlefield with spiritual forces of darkness as we are taught in Ephesians 6:12
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
When We Pray
The scriptures say we are to pray without ceasing. This basically means our prayers should become synonymous with our breath. Practice breath prayers such as
“Dear Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon my soul”
Do that often. You can switch the words and make up your own to pray for your spouse, children or family members as well as others in your circle.
Secondly, David set an example in Psalm 55:17. He said “evening and morning and at noon I will pray and cry aloud and You will hear my voice.” Please make an attempt to pray in the MORNING at about NOON and at NIGHT before you go to bed.
How We Should Pray
For this exercise, we encourage you to pray out loud to your own hearing. The disciples could actually hear what Jesus was praying in Gethsemane and in many other places where He was found praying. Jesus was an “out loud” prayer warrior. See John 17.
We will pray using scripture references.
Allow yourself about 15 minutes block of time for the scriptures, devotional and actual “praying out loud” three times a day. Remember David in Psalm 55:17.
Prayer Sample
Pray out loud the following words:
“Father in heaven I thank you for your word. Jesus said “I will never leave you or forsake you” so I believe you. You are here right now beside me and you will protect, provide and meet all my needs. You will also never leave or forsake your Church. So I believe and I say that your Church Joy Fountain and my brothers and sisters in Christ are protected and provided for. I thank you because you will help me to be prayerful and pray through me so that your will may be done in my life and around my environment. I thank you for these things praying through Jesus Christ my Lord.”
Add words to these words as you feel them welling up in your spirit. Don’t forget that “we don’t know how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us.” (Romans 8:26-27). If you start He will come to your aid and pray through you
What We Should Pray About
Any and Everything that comes to mind. We must always begin with thanksgiving. Each day has specific prayer themes during the prayer challenge period.
