Prayer

I believe in prayer, and I believe it works. I believe that God answers prayer, just maybe not the way that you expect, or want. I have recently been looking at prayer, and what God says about prayer in different verses in the bible. 

God answers prayer:

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Never stop praying:

“Never stop praying.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Listen whilst praying:

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:18‬ ‭NLT

In Luke 11 and Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us how to pray. This is the Lord's Prayer, which can sometimes be hard to understand, especially when you read the New King James Version I had to learn in primary school. 

I find the message version a lot easier to understand:

“Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. 

Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. 

Keep us alive with three square meals. 

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. 

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. 

You’re in charge! 

You can do anything you want! 

You’re ablaze in beauty! 

Yes. Yes. Yes.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:7-13‬ ‭MSG‬‬