Prayer is talking with Almighty God, The Creator. Can you imagine? We get to, GET to, talk with HIM, THE GOD who created EVERYTHING, who created US. It is amazing to be able to do that! Not only that, but when a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into their life, literally into their being.
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV)
There are many, many scriptures in the Bible that have to do with prayer. So many, it would take a long time for you to read this devotion. So, I've just brought a few in for you.
So, what kinds of conversations can a believer have with God? When you have a problem, you can talk with God about it. You can pray for others - interceding for them. Asking God to heal them, get them through a tough time.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV)
What about a non-believer? Their conversation may be one-sided, meaning they do all the talking.
Sometimes, God speaks to one of His believers to bring a message to someone. To the prophet Jeremiah:
"1Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the Lord: 2 “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. 3 Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done..." (Jeremiah 26:1-3, NIV)
You can praise and worship God, as a form of prayer. He deserves all of our praise and worship, and glory!
Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground." (Nehemiah 8:6, NIV)
King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to praise the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped. (2 Chronicles 29:30, NIV)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4, NIV)
Below are the public domain lyrics to a hymn written by Joseph Medlicott Scriven titled,
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
1 What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer! Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!
3 Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer! Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
The most important prayer you could ever pray is the prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. I hope you sincerely pray this prayer.
Sinners' Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. I ask you to forgive me of all my sins. Thank You Jesus! In Your Name I pray! Amen!
Now that you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, contact us or someone in a Bible believing, Bible preaching church near you and let them know you have done this wonderful thing. Ask them what the next steps are for your walk with Jesus. If you don't have a Bible, ask them for one. Begin reading it, and God will reveal Himself to you more and more. Pray to Him every day and learn to hear His voice.
Thanks for reading this devotion. I hope God has blessed you with it!
Vicky Conklin-Johnson
Prayer Ministries Director