This is how you pray really, really Powerfully -The Two Mighty Pillars of Prayer
Some people think that when they pray it's like sending emails (err... sorry, is that too early 2000's); let's restart; some people think that praying to God is like sending Him Whatsapp messages... oh, we have a vague notion they are somehow read by God, we may even see the double checks becoming blue and then we wait, and wait, oh He's typing a message... or maybe not. Bummer.
Far from it!
Prayer is not like shooting arrows at heaven. When you pray you close your eyes but do you leave your spiritual eyes and ears open? This is probably one of the most neglected teachings. Prayer is a two way communication. You are literally in His presence making a request. If you asked someone a question (your wife, your boss, your child, teacher, whoever), would you ask them a question and then run out without waiting for a response, or making eye contact or observing their body language? No! You would make your request and then wait, even while you're making the request you are observing them and maybe you'll even change your request right there on the spot depending on your analysis of how they are receiving your request... all this is happening LIVE and in REAL TIME!
It's like that with God too. So here are the Two Pillars for Powerful Prayers!
God's will is more than just knowing if He wants something or not. The will is "The faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action." It's not only intentions and inclinations, it's the very power behind actions that result to execute His will. If you want to pray powerful prayers, you have to know the will of God.
How do you know the will of God? The number one way to answer this question is to know how to really read and understand the Bible (this post is a must read to learn more about how to understand God' word from the Scriptures).
Now, the prayers the Lord taught us to pray directly teach and give us a guiding framework of how to pray. There is the Lord's prayer and the Aaronic priestly prayer (powerful, especially for husbands and fathers!). There are hundred's of other prayers recorded in the Bible.
But you know, I'm not saying pray them word for word, but rather be inspired to pray and bless by them. And here's where it gets really interesting... it's not just the Psalms and prayers and blessings written in the Scriptures... but also the promises and actions of God that tell you His will.
Is Healing His will? Always! How do I know this? Jesus reveals the will of God perfectly. Look at His actions. Did anyone ever ask Him, "Heal me please" and He says no? NEVER. There is a very strong Scriptural precedent for Healing even from the OT; this verse here was written 600 years before Jesus was born:
So go and discover the will of God. Start by looking at Jesus - He is the perfect and infinitely clear expression of the Will of God.
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Far from it!
Prayer is not like shooting arrows at heaven. When you pray you close your eyes but do you leave your spiritual eyes and ears open? This is probably one of the most neglected teachings. Prayer is a two way communication. You are literally in His presence making a request. If you asked someone a question (your wife, your boss, your child, teacher, whoever), would you ask them a question and then run out without waiting for a response, or making eye contact or observing their body language? No! You would make your request and then wait, even while you're making the request you are observing them and maybe you'll even change your request right there on the spot depending on your analysis of how they are receiving your request... all this is happening LIVE and in REAL TIME!
It's like that with God too. So here are the Two Pillars for Powerful Prayers!
The First Pillar: Align your prayers wholly to God's will.
God's will is more than just knowing if He wants something or not. The will is "The faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action." It's not only intentions and inclinations, it's the very power behind actions that result to execute His will. If you want to pray powerful prayers, you have to know the will of God.
How do you know the will of God? The number one way to answer this question is to know how to really read and understand the Bible (this post is a must read to learn more about how to understand God' word from the Scriptures).
Now, the prayers the Lord taught us to pray directly teach and give us a guiding framework of how to pray. There is the Lord's prayer and the Aaronic priestly prayer (powerful, especially for husbands and fathers!). There are hundred's of other prayers recorded in the Bible.
But you know, I'm not saying pray them word for word, but rather be inspired to pray and bless by them. And here's where it gets really interesting... it's not just the Psalms and prayers and blessings written in the Scriptures... but also the promises and actions of God that tell you His will.
Is Healing His will? Always! How do I know this? Jesus reveals the will of God perfectly. Look at His actions. Did anyone ever ask Him, "Heal me please" and He says no? NEVER. There is a very strong Scriptural precedent for Healing even from the OT; this verse here was written 600 years before Jesus was born:
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains — he hath carried them, And we — we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. And he is pierced for our transgressions, Bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement of our peace [is] on him, And by his bruise there is healing to us. Isaiah 53:4,5By the way, peace or shalom in Hebrew, in the Biblical sense always means complete wholeness and wellness of every kind, especially health and safety.
So go and discover the will of God. Start by looking at Jesus - He is the perfect and infinitely clear expression of the Will of God.
The Second Pillar: Realign and Renew your mind as you pray
I alluded to this earlier in the post. One day - this actually happens frequently - I heard the Lord asking me, "What do you want Me to do for you?" Now this taught me something very powerful.
I started seeing myself before His throne and as I started asking Him for things, they seemed so petty. Here I was in front of the One who is not only the King and Creator and Provider of everything but He is my Father, my Dad in Heaven. And I was asking Him for trinkets when He has all the Treasures of Heaven and Earth in just a wink of His eye.
So I told Him, "Father, you tell me what I should want?"
This one question opened up something marvelously new to me. It completely realigned my mind and heart according to His own mind and heart.
You see, prayer is definitely a two-way exchange. Even as you pray, God is answering and moving and speaking and you need to be sensitive enough (spiritual eyes and ears OPEN) and nimble enough to move and respond quickly. Prayer is like a flowing River, only it can move and change its course as required by the Source, the Holy Spirit.
For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor 2:16The Lord's prayer is a perfect example of how the prayer itself steers you to refocus, realign and renew your mind and heart. You are praying because something is on your heart, but the Lord gently shows you that you need to Seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness First! He steers you to focus on His promises of provision when you are needy and very importantly, it reminds you to forgive and let go of unforgiveness, which is a very deadly and silent force, both spiritually and physically speaking.
3 quick examples of wrong prayers made right
Prayers of Provision
Wrong: Lord, I need more money to pay for bills and vacations, needs and wants, desires and longings.
Correct: Lord, thank you for providing for me all that I need. I ask you to provide for me so that my bills are paid and I ask you for also our desires and wants, you know them more than we do. Give us wisdom in our finances and thank you that you desire the best for us always.
There is not a single verse in the Bible that says God will bless you with Money. This is something the Lord taught me long ago about Money...
Prayers for Healing
Wrong: Lord, if it is your will, please heal me (or someone else).
Correct: Lord, according to Your word and promises, heal me, according to the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Thank you Jesus for Your healing. As for so and so, I ask you to heal them, to make them whole and if there is something blocking the flow of your healing from within them, reveal this to me and to them.
Prayers for Blessings and Protection
Wrong: Father, I beg you, please protect my family if you are willing and lead us not into any temptation. Please, if it can be, don't let the curses be upon us. We ask that you bless us, because look we have obeyed you and are righteous by what we have done.
Correct: Father, thank you for the protection and love you have given us. The blessing of Psalm 91 is upon us and it is entirely on us by your favor. Deliver us into victory over every trouble that we have, give us the spiritual vision to see that it is easier to yield to your Righteousness than sin. Give us wisdom to manage our affairs and give us faith to walk always in your victory. As for your blessings, they are too numerous to count and we thank you for all the blessings you have given us - the utmost proof of this is your Cross... and now every blessing and promise is YES in Christ. Thank you Lord, for your the Offering of Your Son, for You Jesus, Your sacrifice!
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