By Leland Pulley
On the Internet it says that the National Day of Prayer is May 4, 2023. Various groups are celebrating this event in different ways and on different days this week. But what they all agree on is the value and need of prayer in the lives of individuals, families, groups, and nations.
You may be a participant in an activity in your area. But even if you are not, it is worthwhile to stop and think about this important topic and activity.
Prayer has been involved in human history since the beginning. Why do you suppose this is so? People may pray in different ways and to different Gods. They may pray more or less frequently than others. The real question is what is the value of prayer in your life and collectively in all our lives? It must satisfy some basic need or mankind would not have been doing this activity for so long and continue to do it today in our modern@ world.
Here is something important to understand when thinking about prayer. Every person has a spirit and physical body. Thus, we are both a spiritual being and natural being. It is our spirit, not our physical body, that yearns to communicate with a spiritual source and receive guidance, reassurance, comfort, and help. We want answers to questions and desire to know what to do in various situations. We want to know that what we are doing is pleasing to God or it is what God would have us do. This gives us confidence and the courage to do what is right when facing obstacles, danger, threats, competition, and other challenges. We also want more knowledge to make decisions, greater power to overcome obstacles, and the faith to stick with the battle until it is won. We want help in handling adversity of all types – discomfort, pain, suffering, financial loss, and death.
There are many reasons to pray, so it is advisable to learn how to do this in an effective manner. After all, if you are going to do something, why not get the most out of it. Here are some suggestions on having more effective prayers or experiencing more meaningful prayers.
- Prayer is a means of worship, so be respectful and reverent while praying. Use words like thee, thou, thy, thine rather than Ayou@ when communicating with God.
- The most practical aspect of prayer is that it is a form of communication between you and God. It should be good and open communication at all times. You initiate this communication. Like human to human communication, the better you know someone, the easier it is to communicate with him, as long as he is willing to communicate in return. God is always ready to listen and communicate with you. The more you understand about the true nature of God, His relationship to you, His characteristics and personality; the easier it is to talk to Him via prayer.
- Strive to have a personal relationship with God. There should be mutual respect and interest and love between you. This leads to better feelings and more open and successful communication. Also, a better relationship helps you to do some of the things God asks of you when He does provide answers to your prayers.
- When you pray, be sincere. God knows when you are dishonest. Do not try to play games with Him or cover up your real motives for something. This deceitful strategy blocks communication and leads to no answers to prayer.
- Some prayers used in religious rituals and ceremonies are set or prescribed, and they are the same for everyone. This may have a purpose in group worship, but not in personal prayer. Use your own words in your prayers. Memorized prayers are not very effective for personal use.
- Be specific in asking questions and making requests for help. This helps to communicate better and recognize God=s answers or divine help in your life.
- Pray for things you really want and that will be good for you in the long run. Then you will be more willing to do your part in obtaining them. Remember, God knows when you are not willing to pay the price for what you are seeking. He does not run a welfare agency. He is not likely to help you with a goal unless you do your part. Do not expect God to do for you what you can do for yourself. Remember, faith (by you) without works (by you) is dead. But God will help you get involved in worthwhile endeavors and have some sort of success from your efforts. He is like a silent business partner where you do most of the work and He does the monitoring and counseling, and at times intervening to help you solve a big problem or get through a tough period.
- There are many ways answers can come to you. Some will be direct in the form of a thought or impression to do something, or a feeling of comfort about the decision you have made. Sometimes an answer will come through another person. God will not help you directly when he can influence your neighbor to help you do the same thing. In this way your neighbor gains from his service, you gain from what he offers you, and your relationship is strengthened. It is a win-win situation for both parties. Your optimism in mankind goes up.
- Do not pray only when you want something. Have regular communication and maintain close ties with God during good and bad times. Then when you do need His help, you can approach Him with more confidence and in an effective way to get the answers and help you seek. Here is a good illustration of this. Think of God as your Heavenly Parent with you as one of His children, who only talks to the Parent when you want something. For those of you who have parental experience, you should know exactly what I am getting at here.
- Answers to pray come according to God=s schedule, not your schedule. You want immediate answers, but He may not give you an answer to a particular prayer for weeks or months, so learn to be patient.
- Do not always asks for things. Give thanks for all the benefits and blessings you have too. Give God credit for the things He has done for you and your family. In other words, be grateful.
- Finally, don=t use prayer merely for yourself. Pray for others, including people who do not like you. This will help you to forgive them and be more of a friend to them. Pray for leaders, that they will have wisdom and the courage to do what is right for the most people. Pray for people who are sick that they may get well.
Be realistic in your prayers. If a hurricane is coming to your area, do not be naïve and pray that your house will not be destroyed while the homes of your neighbors are destroyed. This is favoritism and asking for a miracle. In a similar manner, if your government is corrupt and causes pain and suffering for people like you, do not expect God to relieve you from any pain-and-suffering while your neighbors have no such blessing. In situations like these, what you should pray for is the strength to endure and tolerate and make the best of a bad situation. In this way bad circumstances are handled better by you as an individual than many of your neighbors.
In summary, here is a simple formula for prayer. Begin by addressing Heavenly Father. Express gratitude for your many blessings. Express any doubts, concerns, and needs you have. Then ask for the help or guidance that you would like to receive. Close your prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Say Amen.
In essence, prayer helps us to take action. Our mental state is more positive and this has an effect on our physical state. When prayer is used for others, it helps to build social and emotional ties between people and strengthens their bonds. Prayer can bring divine intervention to aid anyone.
There is much to learn about prayer and its potential power for good in our lives. Put forth the effort to pray and learn as you go. With time it will be easier to pray and you will feel more comfortable doing it. Your prayers will be more effective and you will be a happier and more spiritual person as a result.
Key Words – National Day of Prayer May 4, 2023, every person has a spirit and physical body, worship, form of communication, personal relationship with God, be sincere, use your own words, be specific, faith (by you) without works (by you) is dead, many ways answers can come, regular communication, Heavenly Parent,God’s schedule not your schedule,give thanks, pray for others,be realistic, simple formula for prayer, pray and learn as you go
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