Two other tools we are equipped with when we receive Christ is a true ability to pray and hear from God, and to study and have Him teach us.
Prayer is simply a conversation with God. If you became a born again believer during this conference, you did not accept to be part of a religion. You accepted to be in a relationship.
Why do we need to pray? Think for a minute about the person you are closest to in your life. Now imagine when you first became close, you both expressed to each other how special they were to each other, and then you never heard it again. Would you still believe it after a few days? How about a week? How about a month? How about a year….a few years? How would that feel? How well do you think your relationship would work? How well would you understand each other?
Now imagine that every day, you had just 5 minutes with that person – to get their advice on decisions you are making, to share in the joy of something that was special for you, and to thank them for being your friend – just 5 minutes to talk to them and them to you. How would that feel? How well do you think your relationship would work? How well would you understand each other?
I know it can be a struggle to pray when you think your prayers are just going up into the sky and you’re wondering if God is really hearing, really listening. Let me recommend you leave your feelings behind on this one, and trust in what scripture says about praying. Here are a few really helpful ones but there are many.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything but with everything by prayer, asking earnestly and humbly with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This scripture teaches us that we can pray to God about everything we have concern about, seeking Him to be the answer instead of us, trusting and being thankful that He has the answer, and He promises to give us a peace that quiets the anxiousness and stress if we allow it.
Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” This scripture teaches us that even when we are facing something that we are not sure how to pray about, that Holy Spirit prays for us on our behalf.”
Matthew 6:7 says, “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” This scripture teaches us that it is a conversation between God and us, not us and everyone who is listening to us. Pray with your true heart turned toward God and don’t worry about whether you chose the right words or not. God knows your heart.
Colossians 4:2 says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” This scripture teaches us to remain persistent and enduring in prayer, holding the expectation that God is faithful and will respond.
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