Hi Y’all.
Growing up every Wednesday night we would gather for prayer time. Sometimes it was at the church gathered in the chapel. There were a few seasons we gathered in someone’s home for prayer time. Last Wednesday was our first Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting here on Rooted Simply. That first post gave a few ideas for how to jump into prayer.
So, Prayer, What is it?
This week let’s look at what prayer is. In its simplest form prayer is a conversation between you and your father. Prayer should not be used for bartering with God or for demanding something from him. It’s more than a time for requesting things. Prayer when done in the right attitude will never be a bother to God. It is not meditation or passive reflection. It is direct communication with God. Prayer has many different layers and purposes and God is a God who hears and answers prayers.
As early as the 14th Century books called “Primers” were used for guided prayer. These devotional prayer books allowed laypeople an opportunity to study the word. 1 Peter 3:15 “Getting to know God and submitting obediently to His Lordship”. However, as piety began to take root these devotionals became an obligation.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to ”Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
A few types of prayers are:
Prayer Faith: Matthew 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Prayers for Salvation of the lost: Romans 10:1 “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”
Prayers of Confession: 1 John 1:9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
As we continue on this journey to make prayer a lifestyle we will dive more into types of prayers and how to pray. We will look at prayers from the Old Testament and Prayers from the New Testament. We will study specific prayers like the Lord’s Prayer.
Tonight let us close our time with the main purpose of prayer; Worship. Let’s acknowledge God for who he is and what He has done for us. Ultimately, no matter what our prayers are they should reflect an attitude of worship, worship of God.
Let’s Worship Him in prayer for:
His righteousness.
Psalm 45:17 “I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.”
Psalm 148:7 “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths”
His strength and mighty works.
Psalm 31:4 “Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.”
Psalm 43:2 “You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”
His loving kindness.
Psalms 108:1 “My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul”
His building up the church.
Ephesians 16:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
His giving of His Word.
Psalms 147:19 “He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.”
His raising up Israel as his people and the Church.
Psalm 148:13 ”Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.”
Prayer:
“Lord, we recognize You for who You are and all the amazing things You have done. You alone are the God over all the kingdoms of the earth. (2 Kings 19:15) There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. (1 Chronicles 17:20) We praise you Lord and thank you for all you do. “
Thank you for joining us for our Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. Next week we will dive into the question of why we should pray.
Simply Jess