WHEN YOU PRAY

Matthew 6:9-15

It is not an option for a Christian to pray. Jesus clearly said, when you pray. It is the duty of all Christians to pray for themselves and also pray for others. I don't know about you but there was a time in my life that my prayer life was very limited.

I always have believed in prayer; From a child I have practiced prayer in my own way. Many  years ago I was a regular church going person before I was saved. I only knew the childhood prayers I had learned such as; now I lay me down to sleep and thank you dear Lord for this food and drink I am about to take. This was about the extent of my prayer life. I was ask by the pastor of the church where I attended to help out as an usher, honestly I did not know what an usher did. I thought it might be to help park cars or show people where to sit. This proved very quickly the wrong thing to do.

When the services got started I was ask to come forward  along with the other ushers. On the way down to the front I began to realize some one was going to be called on to pray. I thought, they have probably  already ask someone else to take care of this prayer.

However, This big man standing behind the pulpit pointed his finger that looked at least a foot long at me and said would you lead us in prayer, I could not pray , now I lay me down to sleep and it was not time to eat so what could I say? I finally got the courage to pray one of the shortest prayers I have ever prayed, that being, Lord help us. Amen.

Prayer, is the one thing that we all seem to talk about and many of us know so little about. I have never been fully satisfied with my prayer life. The word prayer has such a serious thought that goes with it. Many times people say, pray for me. What are they asking us to do for them?  If I have any knowledge of prayer,  Prayer is being in contact with the Almighty God of Heaven and asking Him for help. James 5:16 tells us; The effectual  fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. So if there are several righteous men that will pray there are countless things that can be brought about.

Who should we pray for?

For Israel; Paul said; My hearts desire is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1. We each have an obligation to pray for each other but do not forget to pray for Israel. Israel needs the prayers of all of Gods people.

It is Scriptural for us to pray for ourselves and by all means  to pray for others.

For those in authority; Paul tells us in 1st Timothy 2:1-2: I exort therefore, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men . For those in authority: for kings, and for all in authority. That you may lead a quite and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For our enemies, Jesus said ; In Matthew 5:44;  Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you .

For the sick; James 5:14 tells us; Is any sick among you? Let him call the Elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith shall save the sick. confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed.

Do you  and I need to learn more about prayer? In Luke 11:1 the disciples come to our Lord and said; Teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples to pray.

I learned that prayer needed to go up in order to be sent to someone. I was in the bush country of Africa wanting to call my wife who was over ten thousand mile away, I discovered a Satellite receiver with a phone attached to it. As my voice was sent up it could then be sent down to where it needed to go.

John 17 :1-20 Jesus prays for himself, he prayed for the disciples and then he prayed for you and me as he said neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their words.

We need to pray for each other and our county, .our children, teachers and principles need our prayer.