Proper Prayer

Matthew 6:7-13

Prayer is a POWERFUL tool used by believers all over the world, as they communicate with God for different reasons. Some come to the Father with personal petitions, whereas others pray on behalf of those who require additional support during a tough season (intercessary prayer). Whether one comes to God with personal needs or stand proxy for someone else they have concerns for, God adheres only to proper prayers.

How can prayer be proper? Is there a right or wrong way to pray? Yes indeedy! Many who have a misunderstanding of what prayer is, often misuse their words when petitioning to God. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3 KJV). Praying only to satisfy lustful desires is the wrong way to get God’s attention, because we serve an unselfish God who commands that men pray according to His will. God blesses His people in order to sustain them in the earth, and allow for them to be a blessing to others.

When Jesus quoted the “model prayer” in our text to the disciples, He wanted them to first understand, there’s a proper posture and approach one must maintain when coming before the Father. We must always acknowledge the omnipotence and sovereignty of God, before we attempt to make any request. This way, we’ll keep ourselves humble, realizing that without God, prayer wouldn’t even be a possibility. After acknowledging God in all His glory, we should then be certain what we desire is in accordance with His will. It’s easy to ask for things we think we need, but God knows what we have need of, even before we ask. Furthermore, as we begin to make our requests known to God, we must do so in all humility and appreciation.

As I aforementioned, God’s knows what we need, but gives us the opportunity to ask anything, in faith, and He’ll freely bless us according to His own will. The next time you pray, consider your approach to God, and be sure your heart, mind, and motives are pure before Him.

Proper Prayer Posture

Matthew 7:7-11

There are countless verses of Scripture in the Bible, that teach us how to receive answers for our prayers, from God. Whether we ask, seek, knock, fast, meditate, perform good deeds, worship, or praise, there’s a requirement that must first be met, in order for our prayers to reach God ears, and merit a legit response. God is holy, and demands that His children be holy as well. Just as a good parent seeks only good for their children, God cares for the church as a good Father should. But, in order to justly receive all God has stored up for us, we must be free from sin. Free, not in a sense that we’re perfect, or mistake-free, but free as in forgiven, born-again, and striving to do God’s will daily.

Oftentimes, men pray amiss, and seek things that will only please their selfish desires, but God blesses us, so that we can be a blessing to others, while bringing glory to His name as well. Even children born into wealthy families have rights to obtain an inheritance, but certain behaviors must still be maintained, in order to receive what’s due to them, at the appropriate time. The prophet Isaiah understood this when he wrote, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). When we live outside of the will of God, He’s not obligated to hear, nor answer anything we cry out to Him. This is similar to a parent being asked for a treat, from a child with consistent unruly behavior. A good parent understands, rewarding children for bad behavior is not a common standard, and could possibly encourage the child to continue in their unhealthy habits (although there are times when you can actually show kindness to a child who’s deserving of punishment, and shock them back into reality). When we learn to desire only those things that are pleasing to God, then He’ll be more inclined to listen to our requests, and bless us accordingly.

So, when you pray to God, what do you ask, and seek from Him. Do you make petitions for things to make your name great, and draw attention to your own plans, or do you desire things that will benefit yourself, and others, spiritually and naturally as well?

Walk in love,

Ell

Preparing for the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:26-29

Growing up in my community, one thing everyone (adults and children alike) showed respect to was, graveyards. During my elementary school years, our school bus took the usual route that led pass a graveyard, and whenever we approached it, a brief silence would come over everyone on the bus, showing respect to the dead. There were occasional moments when the neighborhood knucklehead would point toward, and make jokes about those who were “asleep”, which would provoke others to warn them that God was gonna strike them dead with a lightning bolt, for dishonoring the deceased. It’s evident that showing respect for the dead is a universal theme, as many still take time to visit the burial plots where their passed loved ones rest; bringing flowers, pictures, and other meaningful mementos to lay at their tombstone.

In the same way people show respect for their lost friends and loved ones, is similar to how the church should conduct themselves when taking the Lord’s Supper. For all who willingly participate in the Lord’s Supper, the Bible holds a strict standard that must be upheld, or severe judgment will come to those who refuse.

The same night Jesus was betrayed, He thought it necessary to have a final meal with His disciples. As He was preparing His mind and heart to fulfill His final assignment, He broke bread that represented His body, and gave wine that represented His blood to the disciples, as symbols of His soon to be marred body, and shed blood that would seal the new covenant, which is based on much better promises.

This last supper with the disciples was significant in many ways, and for those who wish to partake of it, as often as they wish, have been warned not to do it “unworthily”. How would you feel if you went to visit the grave of someone you loved, then saw someone pissing on it? Be honest; you would literally lose your mind! The Bible warns that many who took the Lord’s Supper in vain are weak, sick, and some even suffered death. Woah! That’s intense!

Before doing anything for God, we must first be in the right posture and position to do so. We are to present our bodies to God, a living sacrifice, doing away with the old man, and putting on the new, so that God can freely express Himself in our lives. But, coming to God in pride, haughtiness, or any other posture contrary to holiness, can lead only to trouble. The next time you decide to partake in the Lord’s Supper, or anything that commemorates the death of Christ, be certain your heart is right, before participating, or you’ll open yourself up to a world of trouble.

Walk in love,

Ell