WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PRAY?

There is a reason we go on bended knees and open our hearts to God. Human life is full of trials and temptations and as believers we know that the solution to all of our problems lies with God alone. Whether we go to him in prayers for supplication, intercession or Thanksgiving, prayer time is a special moment with God. Prayer is communication with God. It is like an oil to a car. Without prayers, our soul is so dry and weary.

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The importance of prayer cannot be overemphasized even the disciples realized this when they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Matt 6:10). Praying is more than saying a few/lengthy words to God. When we bow our heads in prayers, a lot of things happen. Some of us do not see the need to pray anymore because they believe that God knows what we need and so no need so it is pointless mentioning it to him. Some others have been through so many tribulations that they feel God has forsaken them and so no need seeking him out. This shouldn't be a christian's attitude towards prayer. When we pray, something happens.

■When we pray, we do God's will.

1Thess 5:17 has a simple command perhaps the simplest command in the Bible yet we find it do difficult to do. It says, "pray without ceasing" it goes on in verse 18 to say, " in everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you". It is a direct command of God. When we pray, we are doing the exact thing God requires of us as his children.

■ When we pray, we receive.

Matt 7:7-8 says, " Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened until you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened". Knowing this, how then do you receive if you do not ask? It is true God sees our hearts and knows our heart desires, but he still wants us to humble ourselves and acknowledge that he is able by asking. While doing this, we must also understand that we receive answers to prayers in three ways; God can say a clear YES, a WAIT or a NO. When God says no he is working for our good to prevent us from an unseen danger.

James 4:3 says, "You ask but do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasure". As Christians we must learn to ask from God the right way so we can receive.

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■When we pray, a relationship is formed between God and us.

Talking constantly has a way of building strong bonds among humans. So it is also with God. Talking to God always builds a strong relationship between us and God. When we talk to him always we believe he is our father and we can talk to him about anything. It helps us to live right knowing that with sin we cannot approach his throne of Grace and have him listen to us. Prayer draws us closer to God where he manifest his glory through us. It is an awesome moment when we commune with out father. We build our hope and our faith grows stronger in him. God wants us to be a part of his life and we only know him more through constant communication.

■ When we pray, we obtain peace.

Prayer offers our spirit and soul the peace that surpasses all understanding. Though the tempest May rage and the bills toss high, we acknowledge through prayer that we have with us the master of the ocean, earth and skies.

In Phil 4:6-7, Bible says, "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, make your request known into God". Praying about our problems will make them weigh lighter each day. When we pray we give up our anger, sadness, frustration, pain and every negative emotion and in return God fills is with hope, peace, joy, power and a sense of relief that allows us to move closer to him.

■ When we pray, we obtain grace and forgiveness.

Prayer gives us an opportunity to allow Christ mediate and intercede for our sins. God knows we always fall short and this is why asking for forgiveness is a part of a believer's Pryer. During prayer, we confess our wrong deeds and God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we are forgiven, we are guided to desire to live a better life.

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Know this, each time we pray, God is listening. Our prayer time is an opportunity to acknowledge the reality that God is responsible for us.