Does God Answer Prayer

Does God Still Answer Prayer?
Part Two

I have received several stories and inquiries recently about prayer, some from those who have had prayers answered and some who question if God does still answer prayers. There is much scripture to deal with about prayer and many stories to tell, especially from my own life but I would like to hear from some of you. If you have a story about how God answered your prayers please write me and tell me about it. I have always felt my calling from the Lord is to help others learn and grow in their walk by faith. The more we grow and understand God's will the more we will be capable and willing, yes even eager, to plant the seed in the lives of others. I am of the firm belief that prayer is the most important weapon the Christian has in dealing with the every day struggles we face and in dealing with our sinful nature. Without a prayer life we cannot find God's will for our life.

As God leads I would like to send out stories that I hope will encourage others in their prayer life. I am praying that the Lord will lead some of you to share your story with me and others. Your story might just be the one that helps a brother or sister come to an understanding of the great grace, mercy and power we have in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

What is Prayer? Schofield defines prayer as: Communion and dialogue with the triune God through a personal, love relationship with Jesus Christ. With prayer we reach an intimacy with God that leads to the fulfillment of His purposes in our lives and the lives of others.

Why is prayer so important? In Luke 18:1 Jesus gives a command that we pray: And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Prayer is vital because it is at the very heart of Christianity. It is only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross that we are privileged and honored to be able to talk to the God of creation.

Romans 1:9 KJV for God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

1 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV ¹Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV Pray without ceasing.

Pray without ceasing --- is this possible? There are probably some of you who have suggestions as to how we can attain to this praying without ceasing. I have found in my own walk that whatever circumstance I find myself I give thanks to God telling Him I know that He is working all things for my good. Another thing I try to always do is whenever I have a decision to make, I ask God for guidance. The hardest thing for me to overcome was my propensity to quench the Holy Spirit. When He is not quenched He convicts me and when He does I immediately confess my sin and repent of it. It hasn't completely stopped those thoughts that don't glorify God but they are getting fewer and come less often. Remember a walk by faith starts with the first step and then another. We will not become perfect until we are taken home, but we can allow the Holy Spirit to mold and shape us into the likeness of Christ as we grow and learn God's will while we are here.

Jesus set the example for us in the Gospel of Mark 1:35: And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

We find in this verse Christ made it a priority to start each day with a conversation with the Father. Should not you and I follow this example? By making prayer a priority before we begin each day we set our day in order, we get our hearts cleansed and begin our day with a Godly attitude which builds our faith to know that whatever the day brings it will be the will of God working in our lives.

I find that prayer before I go to sleep each night is a time when I find His presence the closest. It is a time to cleanse my soul from the day's venture into the secular world, a time of confession and renewing of my mind and as an added benefit I normally sleep like a baby knowing my rock is watching over me.

Jesus went and found a solitary place where He could be alone, away from the distractions of every day life and the commitments we have allowed to be placed on them.

Luke 6:12 KJV and it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

We find again Jesus going to a solitary place and continuing all night in prayer. If we are to reach an intimacy with God then our prayers should not be a rehearsed set of words and request for favors but a opening of the heart and soul to seek God's will and not our own.

John 4:23-24 KJV But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

How's your prayer life? Do you have a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ? We have been told to come "Boldly" before the throne. You cannot be molded and shaped into the likeness of Jesus unless you know Jesus.

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