PRAYER CONNECTION

I SHALL NOT GO EMPTY HANDED

2009-11-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

1. Thou power assigned to make me miss the good benefits remaining in
this year, scatter in Jesus name.

2. I command every divine promise that is yet to be fulfilled in my life
this year to speedily come to manifestation in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit command every fountain of joy that has been closed in my life
to be opened in Jesus name

4. I refuse to go out of this year empty handed, father give me a
visitation that will fill my barn with abundance in Jesus name.

5. O Lord by your mighty force of favour give me an end of the year
celebrative miracle in Jesus name.

6. Everything that worked against me this year, I withdraw your power upon
my life, you shall begin to work to my favour as I step into 2010 in
Jesus name.

7. As this year goes to an end, my life is secured, my business is secured,
my home is secured, no evil shall befall me in Jesus name.

OPEN MY CLOSED DOORS

2009-10-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

1. Every Satanic gateman at the door of my promotion, hindering me
from entering, be destroyed in Jesus name.

2. Every invisible hand diverting my appointed breakthrough to another
place, wither in Jesus name

3. O Lord arise and restore every goodness that belongs to my life that
has been diverted elsewhere in Jesus name

4. By the authority in the name of Jesus I command every door closed against
my destiny to be opened by fire.

5. Father release to me the divine support my destiny needs to enter into
my harvest of fulfillment and breakthrough in Jesus name

6. By the force of favour, I connect with my destiny helpers all over the
world in the mighty name of Jesus.

7. Holy Spirit, empower my long delayed benefit held down anywhere to locate
me this week in the name of Jesus.

OVERCOMING THE FORCE OF DELAY

2009-09-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

Delay is a negative force that holds down destinies from getting to where they are to manifest on time, many times it hold people down on a spot where things are working against them and this gives birth to reproach.

If nothing is done, these forces are on assignment to waste people’s time and make them loose hold of divine promises. The power that provokes victory over these forces is the power of prayer.

Pray these prayers with all zeal and consecration.

1. Every Power holding down on one spot, loose hold on me in Jesus name.

2. Thou spirit of delay over my progress, be destroyed in Jesus name

3. O Lord, by divine mercy speedily remember me for good this season
in Jesus name

4. Father, accelerate the speed of my progress in Jesus name.

5. Holy Spirit by the force of power, release every thing that my life needs
to move ahead that has been delayed in the name of Jesus.

6. Every destiny helper sent to bring my dreams to reality, where are
you locate me by favour this season in Jesus name

7. From today, I receive the power to move forward, I receive the
divine backing to connect with my progress at all levels in Jesus name.

BREAKING THE YOKE OF POVERTY AND HARDSHIP (Part 2) Psalms 69:33

2009-09-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

1. Every arrow of poverty sent into my destiny, be uprooted by fire in Jesus
name.

2. Every force of regression affecting my covenant of prosperity be
destroyed in Jesus name.

3. Lord by your power release my angel of prosperity that has been
delayed in Jesus name.

4. Every spirit that has vowed that I will not move out of this state
of poverty and hardship, loose your hold on me in Jesus name.

5. Father, open the doors of opportunity that will propel my prosperity
for me this season in Jesus name.

6. Lord, connect me with helpers that will loose the bound of poverty
in my life in Jesus name.

7. By divine mercy and help, as I round up this prayer I am walking
into my harvest of prosperity in Jesus name.

BREAKING THE YOKE OF HARDSHIP

2009-09-10T11:12:00.001-07:00

1. Every power holding me down in poverty, be withdrawn in Jesus name

2. Thou Spirit of poverty and hardship in my life, get out in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit, destroy every yoke of lack placed upon my life in Jesus name.

4. Every power in my household opposing my prosperity, be destroyed in Jesus name.

5. Everything that the enemy has stolen from me that is holding me down in poverty, Lord restore back to me in Jesus name.

6. Lord by mercy, open every closed door of my prosperity in Jesus name.

7. Almighty God, release upon me today the power to prosper beyond this level in Jesus name.

VICTORY IN THE MIDST OF OPPRESSION

2009-08-10T00:57:00.000-07:00

1. Every Power afflicting my life with sorrow, scatter in Jesus name
2. Lord, destroy every voice of wickedness raised against my life in Jesus name
3. O God of power, deliver me from the hand of every oppressor of destiny
in Jesus name
4. Lord, set my life, home,business loose from the hand of every Force of
backwardness in Jesus name
5. My life, home, marriage, career receive untouchable power of the Holy
Ghost in Jesus name
6. Mighty God frustrate every negative hand working hard to frustrate my
life, marriage, peace in Jesus name
7. I return every arrow of wickedness fired into my life, home, back to
the sender in Jesus name.

I REFUSE TO SUFFER ANYMORE

2009-08-06T14:29:00.001-07:00

O Lord, Visit my foundation and uproot every unproductiveness in my life in Jesus name.

Spirit of God, release my held down blessings from the hand of every oppressor in Jesus name.

My father, oppose every opposition to the goodness of my life in Jesus name

Every force of delay wasting my effort to prosper in life, be arrested in Jesus name

Father, open my eyes to the hidden secret that will provoke the turn around my life needs to be blessed in Jesus name.

Holy Spirit, kill every spirit of suffering in my life that is tormenting my life in Jesus name.

O Lord my God, release every breakthrough designed for me life that is in the coffin of darkness in Jesus name.

FROM REPROACH TO GLORY

2009-07-27T00:40:00.000-07:00

1. Every instrument that the enemy is using to produce reproach in my life,
be destroyed in Jesus name.

2. Lord, destroy every occurrence in my life that is producing reproach
today in Jesus name.

3. Father, draw me out from every hidden place of shame & reproach position
me to glorify in Jesus name.

4. O Heaven, break every yoke of poverty in my life that is producing
reproach in Jesus name.

5. Holy Spirit, endow me with the power that will position me to be
glorified in Jesus name.

6. Almighty God, reveal yourself in my life as the God that moves man
from reproach to Glory in Jesus name.

7. I decree from today I move out of reproach, I move into my new testimony,
my life receive the help that will launch me into the manifestation of
my testimony in Jesus name.

BAPTISM OF GREAT GRACE PROPHETIC PRAYER

2009-07-20T10:47:00.001-07:00

1. Gbogbo ipa okunkun ti o ntako ore-ofe atuni-laiye-se lori oro aiye mi, e segbe l’oruko Jesu.

Every force of darkness that is working against the life transforming grace of God in my life, be destroyed in Jesus name.

2. Baba, si orun ore-ofe nla ti yio so mi di eleri iyasoto larin iran mi lemi lori losu yi l’oruko Jesu.

Father, open the heavens of Great Grace upon me this month that will turn me to a testimony in my generation in the name of Jesus.

3. Oluwa, da aso ojurere ti mo ma ba lu aluyo losu yi bo mi loni l’oruko Jesu.

Lord, cloths me with the garment of favour that will provoke my breakthrough this month in Jesus name.

4. Oluwa, da ore-ofe nla ti yio pa ohun alatako ibi giga lenu mo lemi lori loni, mu mi gun oke irorun l’oruko Jesu.

Lord, release Great Grace that will silence every voice of opposition on my way to going higher upon me today, command my upliftment in the name of Jesus.

5. Olorun alagbara, nipa ore-ofe nla pase fun gbogbo eda eniyan ni ibi gbogbo ti ohun ti mo nilo lati je ora ile yi wa ni ikawo re lati jowo re fun mi lai ni idaduro losu yi l’oruko Jesu.

Almighty God, by your great grace, command every person everywhere who has in care everything i need to enjoy the good fruits and benefit of this land to release it to me this month without delay in the name of Jesus.

6. Ohun gbogbo ti mo lepa larin osu mefa ti mo ti lo koja yi, ti owo mi ko te, Eyin Orun O, e pase nipa ore-ofe ninu osu keje yi ki o te mi lowo lai si idena l’oruko Jesu.

Everything I have been pursuing for the past six month without good success, O Heavens, command it’s release this seventh month by grace without hindrances in the name of Jesus.

7. Olorun Aanu se iribomi ore-ofe nla fun mi loni, eyi ti yio pa asedanu, aini ati aseti lenu mo lori oro aiye mi l’oruko Jesu.

God of Mercy, Baptize me with Great Grace that will wipe away every wasted effort, lack and failure in my life today in Jesus name.

2009-07-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

2009-07-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

1. Father, deliver my life from the hand of every battle of insignificance

2. Lord, by your unsearchable power, block every source of reproach in my life in Jesus name.

3. God of wonder, revive every wonders that has been destroyed in my life in Jesus name.

4. Lord destroy every effort of wicked men & women that is limiting my growth in life in Jesus name.

5. God of mercy, release the voice of mercy that will turn my reproach to glory upon me today in Jesus name.

6. Lord restore unto me the garment of my glory that has been stolen away from my life through envy in Jesus name.

7. By the Grace of God, every reproach in my life is converted to glory, the voice of reproach that was raised up against me is destroyed in Jesus name.

LORD DELIVER ME FROM EVERY NEGATIVE FAMILY COVENANT

2009-06-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

1. Every Covenant of bitterness that is wasting my life, be destroyed
in Jesus name

2. Lord, separate me from the force of negative family covenant that
is afflicting my life in Jesus name.

3. Every spirit that is supporting the problems of my life, be destroyed
in Jesus name.

4. Father restored every good thing that negative family covenant has
destroyed in my life.

5. Every negative family covenant that is hindering my breakthrough
be destroyed in Jesus name.

6. Lord, deliver me from every household covenant that want to waste my
life in Jesus name.

7. Almighty father, everything that is empowering the negative
household covenant over my joy, scatter

LORD DRAW ME OUT. Psalm 40:2

2009-06-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

June 21-30th

Many lives have been held down in the pit of life, they are just struggling, doing all they believe they can do, yet they are not getting result. God has designed the earth to be lived & possessed by man, however certain things works against this intention of the Almighty God in the lives of many people.

Some of those things that can hold you down from getting to where you have been destined to get to in life are: Sin, Curse, Force of wickedness, laziness etc. However, the good Lord loves his people to fulfil his mind that is why he has made a provision of help for everyone that can call upon him in faith.

Are you experiencing – Delay, Frustration, Helplessness, Rejection, Barrenness, unfruitful labour, financial imbalance, etc you need to be released, pray this prayer with all zeal and seriousness.

1. Every destiny destroying word that has been spoken to my life, Lord
destroy them by your words in Jesus name.

2. Lord, draw me out of every pit of sorrow that my life is, lead me out
in Jesus name.

3. Father, with all your power, destroy every negative yoke placed upon my
life today in Jesus name.

4. O Heavens draw me out to the road of breakthrough which none of my
family has never walked before in Jesus name.

5. Lord, destroy every instrument the enemy is using to hinder me in Jesus name.

6. Every where I have been hidden away from my mercy, Lord by
divine remembrance draw me out in Jesus name.

7. I release myself from reproach, I release myself from poverty, I
release myself from battle, Lord draw me out to my place of comfort in
Jesus name.

Has this prayer points been of good help to you or you have a testimony, I will like to hear from you, send a mail to wordrevival@yahoo.com or you call me on +2348077716929.

Stay blessed.

LET ME NOT BE PUT TO SHAME O LORD! … Psalm 31:17

2009-06-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

June 8th –14th

The Almighty God and father of all has created all things to be ruled and dominated upon by man. Hence, he has empowered man to be a king & priest over all he made.
Certainly the bible confirms that he made all things for the benefit of man and it is in enjoying these benefits that he God derives glory.

Anyone whose life is void of God’s blessings, provision and solution has been put to shame. If your life does not attract all that God have for you to possess as a major part of his creature, you are experiencing shame in that area.

When things that suppose to be happening to you positively are not happening to you, it is an evidence of shame. No matter the shame packaged for you in life, God’s glory has been packaged to wipe away your shame; his word says double glory shall replace your shame.

You shall not be put to shame, reject it and reverse every shame to glory.

PRAYERS

1. Every power supplying shame to my life, be destroyed in Jesus name.

2. Lord reverse every shameful situation in my life to glory in Jesus name.

3. Father, abort every plan of the enemy to put my life to shame in Jesus name.

4. O God of mercy, by your hand of mercy, lead me out of the den of
financial shame my life is in Jesus name.

5. Heavenly father, burn to ashes, every garment of shame that has been
placed upon me in Jesus name.

6. O Lord, I refuse to be put to shame in life, in business,
academics, marriage (Mention it) in Jesus name.

LORD, PROVE YOURSELF MIGHTY IN MY LIFE

2009-06-02T03:49:00.001-07:00

It takes God's intervention in one's situation for there to be a sustainable testimony, as you journey through this 6th month, why not provoke the poswer of God to arise conerning your life and destiny so that you wont end frustrated.

Everyone that has ever witnessed divine help had it by God proving himself as God in their situation, pray with all your heart this week for a divine locationing and God shall grant your desires in Jesus name.

PRAYER FOR JUNE 1ST-7TH
1. Father, reveal your almightiness to every power asking to see how
mighty you are in my life in Jesus name.

2. Every power hindering me from progressing be destroyed in Jesus name.

3. Lord, prove yourself mightily in my life on all sides in Jesus name.

4. Almighty God, destroy the life destructive force raised up against
my life in Jesus name,

5. Lord, reveal yourself in my life as the God of change & better life
in Jesus name.

6. Lord, deal with every man & woman mightier than me that is frustrating
my life in Jesus name.

7. From today, I have set the Lord always before me, I shall not be moved;
the Lord shall always go before me to open the doors of goodness unto me
in Jesus name.

Note: has the prayers on this blogsite being of help to you, then we will like to hear from you, send your comments to wordrevival@yahoo.com

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK 18TH-24TH MAY 2009

2009-05-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

AND GOD GAVE THE PEOPLE FAVOUR… Exodus 12:36

Favour is a direct product of God’s mercy, it is the supernatural key to the elimination of hard labour; when your life lacks favour, you are basically denied of the best life can deliver.

When Israel was about leaving Egypt, God gave them favour before the Egyptian and by favour they possessed great treasures out of Egypt to the extent that they spoilt the Egyptians.

Favour makes a man’s life convenient for him to live.

Favour positions you to possess supernatural and natural possessions.

Favour turns your enemies to your helpers.

PRAYERS
1. Almighty God, turn every unfavourable situation in my life around to favour
me in Jesus name.

2. Father by favour; restore unto me every goodness blessings and inheritance I
have lost in Jesus name.

3. Lord, baptize me with favour to possess every possession in Jesus name.

4. By favour, Esther became a queen, Holy Spirit by favour, position me to
harvest where I am least qualified this season in Jesus name.

5. From today, my life shall never lack favour, by favour I receive help to
move forward in Jesus name.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK 11TH-17TH MAY 2009

2009-05-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

SATISFY US EARLY WITH THY MERCY… Psalm 90:14

Every life void of the mercies of God ends up in frustration, oppression, depression, and destruction. The mercies of God positions you to enjoy the best of life, God’s mercy is the expression of God’s love to make things work out regardless of who you are and what you do.

When you are satisfied with God’s mercy, your life becomes a centre of attraction because good things, blessings and open doors will characterizes your life. Being satisfied with God’s mercy releases the goodness of the day to you early above others.

“… it is not if him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Romans 9:16

PRAYERS
1. Lord, destroy every force working against the mercies of God in my life in
Jesus name
2. Father, satisfy me with your mercy today in Jesus name.
3. Lord, by your mercy open every closed doors in my life in Jesus name.
4. Holy Spirit, open the heavens of mercy upon my life in Jesus name.
5. Father, by your mercy turn every scarcity in my life to abundance in Jesus
name.

Praying with Expectation

2009-04-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

Did you know that expectation is the key to receiving all the good things God has for you? It is written, “Whatsoever things you desire when you pray, believe you receive them and you shall have them.” (Mark11:24)

Expectation is the mother of manifestatikon, one of the reasons why prayers seems not to be answered is as a result of low expectation. when you pray, you must expect your prayers to be answered and look forward to receiving it.

Believe you receive, or expect! What good does it do to pray without expecting God to answer? You might as well be talking to a tree. The Bible says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6) Faith, belief, expectation are required to receiving what you desire in life.

I see a lot of good Christian people pray to God, asking something from Him, and never doing anything on their part to bring it to pass. God will do His part, for sure, but we are required to do our part as well.

What is our part? Believe, expect, confess, and anything else that could physically be done on our part. “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20)

I believe God’s heart aches when you are hurting in any way. He wants you to be happy and enjoy your life and you should have the things you need and desire. Besides, it is our duty to prosper? 1 Thessalonians 4 says, “Increase, more and more, aspire to lead a quiet life, mind your own business, work with your own hands, walk properly toward those who are outside, and lack nothing.”

Go forth and prosper, as God would have you do.

A CALL TO PRAYER

2009-04-08T00:53:00.000-07:00

Over the centuries, there have been many great revivals and moves of God. Yet, before each great move of God, there was always a move to prayer. The Lord will raise up many to pray and seek after Him. Right now men and women of God are being called to begin to pray and seek His face.

There is an expectancy in my spirit, I have sensed it, and many others sense it as well. Many of the leaders of the Christian faith are sensing it and calling God’s people to a time of prayer. I would like to encourage you to listen to your spirit and pray as the Word of God tells us to pray. I believe we are in the end times, and on the verge of ushering in the Second Coming of Christ. The time is short and we have a lot to do.

1 Timothy 2:1. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2. for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4. who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

In 1st Timothy, Paul is writing to Timothy, but this is written by the unction of the Holy Spirit to all the saints of God. He said first of all that, 1.supplications, 2.prayers, 3.intercessions, 4.and giving of thanks be made for all men. Why is Paul saying we should pray these four things and for all whom are in authority? This is God’s will so that we that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. It is good in His sight, and because He desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Through out history, every time war breaks out, evangelism seems to take a back seat. It is time for God’s people to rise up and make a stand. We are being called by the Holy Spirit to begin a time of aggressive spiritual warfare. We are being called to stand against the tide of fear and darkness that would try to sweep across our land and the world. This is so we can live in peace, and because of this, the Gospel can be spread throughout the earth. We have a job to do, let us not back down now! We should not be complacent bystanders, we are children of God, and He is calling us to pray now!

You might ask why doesn’t God just do something? Many people believe God is all-powerful and that He can do what ever He wants. It is true, God is all-powerful, but He will not override the will of man, and throughout the Bible you will see that in a great many cases He will not move without our asking.

Through out the Word of God we are told to ask. It seems God will do very little if we won’t ask Him.

-- Young's Bible
James 4:2. ye desire, and ye have not; ye murder, and are zealous, and are not able to attain; ye fight and war, and ye have not, because of your not asking;

Matthew 6:8. "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

James is saying we have not because we did not ask! Jesus said in the book of Matthew;
For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
The implication here is, although God knows before we ask, we still have to ask. It says before you ask, whether you ask or not, the Father still knows. Whether you receive or not is dependent on asking, and I might add asking and receiving by faith, for that is the only way we can receive anything from God.

John 16:24. "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25. "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26. "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27. "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.

Jesus said some very powerful things in these passages of Scripture. However, there are two things I want to point out. First, we are to ask and receive so that we can have fullness of joy. Secondly, we are to ask the Father in Jesus name. He wants us to have joy, He wants us to live in peace, and he wants us to ask in the name of Jesus, the name that is above every name.

Let’s look at what the Word is saying. It’s talking about the saints interceding with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit to overcome everything that is contrary to the will of God.
It takes our cooperation with the help of the Holy Spirit to bring this to pass.

The body of Christ is being called to a ministry of intercession. When we are working in cooperation with the Holy Spirit according to the will of God, then, with the direction and assistance of the Holy Spirit we can intercede for His perfect will. Our weakness is simply that we do not know what to pray. Without the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, we will most assuredly pray amiss.

How do we pray God’s perfect plan into existence? We get it with groanings, which can not be uttered. We get it when we are making intercession for all the saints according to the will of God. This is what vs.27 is talking about, fulfilling the will of God here on the earth. Then, His will is fulfilled, through the Holy Spirit taking hold together with us against our weaknesses.

We are the called of God. We are the salt and preservative of this planet. If we will not cooperate with Him to bring His will to pass, who will? Don’t just assume someone else is going to do all the praying, we all have a part and stake in the outcome. There is a plan that God has ordained for each one of us to fulfill, but it takes our cooperation with the Holy Spirit to bring it to pass. Its God’s plan not ours, and we will never fulfill His plan doing our own things, in our own way. It will never happen.

I really believe we are at a pivotal point in the history of our country and the world. Now is the time for the body of Christ to rise up in prayer. We need to stand up and begin to intercede with the cooperation “help” of the Holy Spirit, in order to see this happen. We have been given the spiritual tools and direction of the Holy Spirit; we can do it together with His “help”.

At this point in life, what we need is to face our creator the one that has all power in his domain to come to our assistance, we need Him in all areas and he has made a provision for this in His word.

2 Chronicles 7:14. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

We are the ones called, we are the ones who must humble ourselves and pray and seek His face, and turn from all unrighteousness, then, I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins and heal their land.

I urge you to get before God and seek His face, and pray for the peace of our nation and for the world as well. I realize as the end time is coming many things must come to pass, but there is a great harvest of souls to be won before that happens. It is up to us to be obedient and do what the Lord is calling us to do. We must pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest.

It takes a heart of faith and total dependence on God to pray, it is time to get up and intercede for the nation and all sundry, this is the time for God to glorify Himself .

THE POWER OF PRAYER

2009-03-31T04:26:00.000-07:00

PRAYER! This is probably one of the two most important aspects of our daily walk as a Christian. The other, of course, is Bible Study. Prayer is the one way that we, as Christians, can commune with God on a daily basis. It is as important to our spiritual health as is water and air to our physical well-being. It is absolutely necessary that the Christian spend time in earnest prayer.

Remember, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16)

To many Christians prayer is not a meaningful act. All too often people pray but do not realize the full blessings that are available through this means of seeking God's will. They may be praying in a shallow meaningless way, or, they just do not really believe in the power of prayer. God does hear and answer prayers of Christians. I sometimes feel that we are guilty of asking for God's will in our lives, but what we really want is our will in God's life.

There is power in prayer! You, as a Christian, have the authority to enter God's throne room and ask for His blessing in your life. You may enter with the boldness of faith and knowledge that God hears and answers prayers. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Why has God given us this authority? Because we Christians have been adopted into the royal family of God, "... that we may receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:5b) However, "come boldly to the throne" does not mean to come to the throne in a disrespectful manner. It means to come with the boldness that is present when we KNOW something to be true. In other words, to come with the boldness of faith and knowledge that God will receive us, hear our prayers, and answer them according to His will. Honor, praise, glory, and reverence should always be given to our Heavenly Father.

How should we pray? Prayer should not be offered to God in a negative manner. Matthew 6:5-7 tells us that we should not be like the hypocrites and pray to be seen, and use vain repetitions. Often we are called upon to pray in public for a particular purpose. On these occasions, we are to offer a community prayer on behalf of the group assembled. These prayers should not be given to bring glory to our ability to offer those prayers, we should not do it to be seen. We should not do it with pretense as the Pharisees did in Matthew 23:14, and Luke 20:47. Also when we pray, either in public or private, we should not do it with unforgiveness in our heart.

The Bible tells us how to pray. We should pray persistently (Luke 18:1-8), in faith believing (Matthew 21:21,22; Mark 11:23; James 1:6,7), expectantly, as from a friend (Luke 11:5- 10), assuredly, as from a father (Luke 11:11-13), fervently (Colossians 4:12), in Christ's name, or by His authority (John 14:13,14), boldly (Hebrews 4:15,16), and with confidence toward God (1 John 3:19-22).

Why do we pray? Jesus set the example for us as indicated in Luke 6:12, "Now it came to pass in those days that He (Jesus) went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Jesus also taught us how to pray (Matthew 6:5-13). Taking our needs and desires to the throne of God can do many things for us. It can help us to overcome temptation (Luke 22:40). Prayer can help us to realize those things which we need and desire (James 4:2 & 1 John 5:14,15). We can obtain forgiveness (1 John 1:9,10). We can help others to get well (James 5:16); to be forgiven (1 John 5:16); and to overcome sin (Luke 22:32).

It is interesting to note here that First Samuel 12:23-25) teaches us that we sin when we fail to pray for others. We can obtain wisdom as we see in James 1:5. Wisdom is not knowledge, but rather the application of knowledge. We can gain soul winners (Matthew 9:38). Even when we don't know what is best for ourselves, or we may not even know what is proper to pray for or how to express them, our prayers will be answered (Romans 8:26-28). We should know that God wants us to pray. Know also the, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16b).

We have discussed how and why to pray, but what is it that we should pray for? I have some friends who feel that the words of Jesus in Matthew 21:22 teach us that whatever we want we can have. "And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Does this really mean that if I want one million dollars, and I pray to God for that, and believe with all my heart, being and soul that He will supply it for me, that I will receive it?

If the above statement by Jesus was a universal truth, the answer would be yes! However, to fully understand this statement by Jesus, we must examine other scripture to determine what God's word says we should pray for.

Here is what God's word says we should pray for: God's rule on earth as in heaven (Luke 11:2); our daily bread or necessities (Luke 11:3); forgiveness (Hebrews 7:25 & 4:16); shelter and rescue from temptation (Matthew 6:13 & Luke 22:40); for others (James 5:16, 1 John 5:16, & Luke 22:32); wisdom (James 1:5); soul harvesters (Matthew 9:38); for the church (Ephesians 6:18); for our enemies (Luke 6:28); for government officials (1 Timothy 2:1- 3); for open doors that we may spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to others (Colossians 4:3); and for the word of God to have a free course to expand the kingdom to all nations (2 Thessalonians 3:1). I can find no place in God's word where we are taught that we should pray for material blessings so we can have our lives more abundant in the things of the world. We should pray for those things which will make our lives here on earth more abundant in the things of the spirit.

In the scriptures we are also given several examples of when to pray. We should pray for others when they are in need. Jesus prayed for Peter when he (Peter) was tempted, Abraham prayed for Sodom because of its sinfulness, Moses prayed for Miriam when she was sick, Job prayed for those who abused him, and David prayed for his enemies.

There are countless other examples of prayers for others in the scriptures. God's word has a lot to say about other times when we should pray. We should pray when we are tempted (Luke 22:40); when we are sick (James 5:13-15); when we are persecuted (Acts 16:25); always (Ephesians 6:18); continually (Acts 6:4 & Romans 12:12); without ceasing (Acts 12:5 & 1 Thessalonians 5:17); all night (Luke 6:12); night and day (1 Thessalonians 5:17); steadfastly (Acts 2:42); when fasting (Mark 9:29); and when eating to sanctify what we eat (1 Timothy 4:5).

A sister in Christ and I were recently debating the subject of baptism, when she began to feel that I was questioning her sincerity. She told me that the last few months had really been trying for her, and that without prayer she did not feel that she could have made it through her ordeal. She asked me, "Where do you pray?" I told her that I prayed everywhere, that I did not feel that there was any place that I could not whisper a prayer to God. God's word tells us where to pray: A solitary place (Mark 1:35); on your knees (Acts 9:40); in a place of prayer (Acts 16:16); in our closets (Matthew 6:6); and together (Acts 1:14 & 12:5). To say that we should pray in a solitary place or in a closet indicates that we should pray where we can be alone with God, just the two of us.

This is important for us to be alone with God as we talk with Him, so we can share with Him our innermost thoughts and cares. This also gives us the opportunity to tell God how much we love Him, praise Him, and honor Him for the blessings we receive. But we should also pray together for blessings that will help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, individually and collectively as the church. To be sure, we can (and do) pray in other positions. However, we should not forget that when we pray we should humble ourselves before God. Getting down on our knees is one way to do this.

Wouldn't it be great if all Christians had a very active, sincere, fervent, daily prayer life? Just imagine how much better this world would be if all Christians united daily in this kind of prayer. Unfortunately there are hindrances to prayer, and Christians are subject to those hindrances. If we have an un-Christian relationship with others, our prayers are hindered. 1 Peter 3:7-12 speaks to the relationships we have with others. We should "...be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous..." (1 Peter 3:8a). The opposite of these causes a hindrance to prayer. Having unforgiveness in our heart also serves to hinder our prayers as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:14.

Prayer is the link to the heart of God, he loves to hear you pray because he has made a provision for your prayers to be answered.