Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
Prayer is a command from God to believers. Please
see Luke Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, 2 verses 36 to 38 and 1st
Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 18, and Ephesians Chapter 6 verse 18. It is also
a platform for making our requests to God.
The content of prayers is very important to God. I
am sure that explains why Jesus Christ gave the Church a prayer template in
Matthew Chapter 6 verses 5 to 15, Luke Chapter 11 verses 1 to 4 so that
believers are not misguided when praying especially so when they are praying
against people who hurt them, offended them and made them angry. Nowhere in the
Bible did Jesus say that believers should pray against their enemies; asking
them to die, be destroyed, or their properties destroyed. Also, the prayer
template does not give room for self righteousness as in the case of the two
men – the Pharisee and the tax collector who Jesus Christ described in Luke
Chapter 18 verses 9 to 14. Jesus Christ commended the tax collector who humbly
asked God for mercy.
Why Pray
God answers prayer. The Bible is replete with
instances of the people of God praying to God and God in turn responding
positively to their prayers. Additionally, God said so in His word. Please see
Matthew Chapter 7 verse 7, Luke Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, and Jeremiah Chapter
33 verse 3. The early Church prayed without ceasing in spite of the fact that
the Apostle Peter was already on death row. God intervened and Peter was
miraculously released from prison by an angel of God. Please read Acts Chapter
12 for details. Prophet Elijah prayed for the son of the widow of Zarephath and
the young man came back to life. Please read 1st Kings Chapter 17
verses 17 to 24. He also prayed for rain after a long period of drought in Israel.
God honored his prayer and there was a heavy downpour. Please read 1st
Kings Chapter 18. The prophet Elisha prayed and the dead son of the woman of
Shunem was brought back to life. Please read 2nd Kings Chapter 4
verses 15 to 37.
Another reason to pray is so as not to fall into
temptation. Please see 1st Thessalonians Chapter 3, Mark Chapter 14
verse 38, Matthew Chapter 26 verse 41, Luke Chapter 22 verses 40 to 46, Matthew
Chapter 4 verses 1 to 11, Luke Chapter 4 verses 1 to 13, Matthew Chapter 13 verse
25, Luke Chapter 21 verse 36, 22 verse 32.
For spiritual growth and maturity. Please see 1st
Thessalonians Chapter 3, Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 15 to 23, 3 verses 14 to
21, Philippians Chapter 1 verses 1 to 11, Colossians Chapter 1 verses 1 to 20,
1st Thessalonians Chapters 1, 2 verses 11 to 13, 3 verses 9 to 13,
John Chapter 17 verses 9 to 26, 2nd Peter Chapter 3 verse 18.
For help, security and defense from enemies. Please
see Isaiah Chapters 36 and 37, 2nd Chronicles Chapter 20.
To avert spiritual slumber and its dangers.
Spiritual slumber is progressive and very dangerous. Please see Acts Chapter 20
verses 7 to 10, Proverbs Chapter 24 verses 30 to 34, 6 verses 6 to 11, Matthew
Chapter 13 verse 25, Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 14, psalm 13 verse 3.
For healing – James Chapter 5 verses 13 to 18, 19 to
20, Isaiah Chapter 38, 2nd Kings Chapter 6.
To ask for forgiveness of sins. Please Psalm 51,
Nehemiah Chapter 1, Ezra Chapter 8 verses 21 to 23, 10, Daniel Chapter 9,
Exodus Chapter 32 verses 30 to 35, 1st Samuel Chapter 7, note verse
6, 2nd Chronicles Chapter 33 verses 12 to 19, 1st John
Chapter 1 verses 8 to 10.
To give thanks and praise to God as well as worship
and adoration to God as evidenced by the Psalmist and the Judeans under the
leadership of Jehoshaphat.
To reverse evil situations and evil descendancy.
Jabez prayed to God and the evil situation around him was reversed to good. The
Bible records that Jabez became a success story. You and the nations of the
world assigned to you in prayers by God can become success stories if you work
smart and hard in the place of prayers to God. Queen Esther and her team of
prayers prayed to God to avert the evil purposed against the Jews by Haman. God
honored their labor of love for the Jews and the Jews were spared annihilation
by Haman. Significantly, Haman and his household were the ones annihilated.
Beloved, prayer to God works and brings about speedy healing and restoration to
the nations. Please see 1st Chronicles Chapter 4 verses 9 to 10, 2nd
Kings Chapter 2 verses 19 to 22, Acts Chapter 12, and Esther Chapter 4 verses
18 to 17.
Intercession for the perfect will of God to be
established in the lives of your loved ones and other people whom Christ gave
to you to intercede for. Please see Galatians chapter 4 verse 19, Isaiah Chapter
53 verses 10 to 12, Hebrews Chapter 7 verse 25, Isaiah Chapter 59 verse 21,
Jeremiah Chapter 31 verses 15 to 17.
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