Read Part 4 HERE
But how to do it?
No doubt some will say that all this is good for intercessors, but we are neither gifted nor called to prayer. I must disagree with this argument. The commandment "pray without ceasing" is not just for a group of snipers, but for all Christians. If that is the case, what am I doing to be able to pray when I should?
Prayer is actually less difficult than many imagine and certainly less mysterious. On a theological level, we all agree that we pray to the Father in the name of Jesus under the guidance of the Spirit. And this will certainly be the subject of another article, but I simply want to mention here some practical elements that we sometimes neglect while complicating our lives with prayer itineraries, methods, arguments for or against praying in tongues, etc., to the point of getting tired of it and giving up altogether. So, here are some common sense guidelines:
1. Make the decision. This is not just the first law of 'thermoprière' but a law of life in general. In life, nothing happens until you have made the decision to apply yourself to it, so the same goes for prayer. It's strange, but angels are not in the habit of making saints get up from their beds, wipe the sleep off their faces and give them a 'hell of energy' so that they can pray. So don't wait for it to happen to get started. You know its value, its importance, and its usefulness, so act like an adult, decide to get started, God has given you the means and He is waiting for you. God rewards commitment. 'He is the rewarder of those who seek him'. And he guarantees us that 'if you seek me you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart'.
2. Ask God for help. God wants you to pray, God asks you to pray, God will help you pray. Pure divine logic. The apostles, recognizing their inadequacies, asked Jesus, 'Lord, teach us to pray.' This prayer has not aged at all, do the same. I ask the Lord all the time, 'Father, help me to pray according to Your Heart, to think as You want me to think, and say what You want me to say.' And I say to the Holy Spirit, 'Help me to pray according to the Father's heart.' I guarantee you, He answers. You will hear yourself praying things that will leave you speechless, declaring divine wisdom. The Holy Spirit will take you in hand and lead you to prophesy, agonize, weep, sing, dance in prayer and sometimes even 'preach,' declaring the wonders of God before God Himself.
3. Be available and regular. Set aside time for God and be there every day. This is a testament to our commitment that honors God and is honored by God. Furthermore, on the practical side, practice makes perfect; 15 minutes a day will be far more helpful than an hour every two weeks. Furthermore, nothing we do can achieve the level of success God desires for us without receiving instructions from Him and overcoming all the obstacles in our way in prayer. When people tell me they don't have time to pray, I feel bad for them; they've just said something awful and don't even realize it. To allow yourself to say you have better things to do than communicate with the only Person who matters is a bit much. Set a daily appointment and keep it. When you honor God by your availability and regularity in prayer, He will honor you by drawing you more into His presence; meeting of duty and desire, of obligation and pleasure.
4. Don't give up. In other words, persevere. You will encounter some bumps, some irregularities, and some dry paths along the way. Don't worry, keep praying; God knows what He is doing. We don't pray for thrills. Many stop when they don't feel anything. Keep going. Trust His Word. If we ask something according to His will, we know He hears us; if we know He hears us, we know we have what we ask for. If you hold on, the barriers will not hold. Why these barriers? Sometimes because the prayer muscles are not yet formed or have become loose, sometimes because there is spiritual opposition. No matter, God will give us the breakthrough if we don't back down.
5. Find ironsThe Bible tells us that iron sharpens iron. Find people who love and know how to pray, who love the presence of God, and stick to them. Ask them to pray with them, not so that they necessarily pray for you, but so that you can see how they pray and accompany them. 'Imitate those who walk according to the model you have received from me.' There is always someone who will help you justify your lack of assiduity in prayer, run away from them. Connect with those who will take you further in the spirit.
And this is true for everyone, young and old in the faith; there is always someone who knows more than us and who can help us go further. This is what happened to Lester Sumrall when, already a preacher, he was able to rub shoulders with Smith Wigglesworth, he was able to watch him in prayer and learned lessons of inestimable value. So be humble to receive from these people, no need to try to impress them, simply learn, and they will serve as a catalyst for you to move to another dimension. And you will become more and more effective in the Father's business.
Let us never forget that it is a privilege to pray, it is a great honor. The king extends his scepter to his beloved, his church. It is a privilege to have access to this wonderful world where invisible reality becomes lived reality. Prayer immerses you in God's spiritual world, you share His thoughts and declare His words. It propels you from the earthly and mundane into the divine and supernatural. And we never tire of it because it is infinitely varied; prayer meetings follow one another but are not alike; God is inventive, creative, and the best company there is. Let us decide to no longer deprive ourselves of His company, at any time, at any hour. He has opened His world to us. One thing is certain, God invites you to pray, God gives you the command to pray, God will give you the ability to pray.
Shalom
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