Defining Prayer

I 've been invited to teach on prayer by my home church. We have also talked about leading prayer for the church, so I started thinking about prayer and wanted to share my thoughts with you.

A friend of mine who pastors in Missouri, defined prayer like this:
"Prayer is more than saying prayers. It is more than a religious exercize or duty. It is communication with the Father. It is joining forces with him to carry out his will in the earth. It is entering into vital contact with the Father at his throne to fellowship with him or to get something changed in your life or another's. Learning how to pray consists of learning how to enter the Father's presence to visit or transact business."
Isn't that great and simple and clear?
It's nice to have a working definition of what you want to do, but after that, you have to start praying. You will never learn to pray just by reading about it.
If you love God, talk to him like you talk to a friend, and yet with the respect you owe him. Don't put on a religious voice, just talk.
Are you thankful for anything? Tell him.
Do you need help, or strength, or grace to change a habit? Confess your weakness and ask your father for help.
Does your family or friend have a need that they can't fix alone? Ask him to help them by meeting that need.
Understand that the cross purchased more that a place in heaven when you die. John 1.12 declares, "But to everyone who receives him, he gives them the power to become a child of God..." You have a place in heaven because you are his child ... now, and you are important to him. The Lord says, in Jeremiah 33.3, "Call out to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you don't know."
If you are new to this, I can tell you, you are starting on the greatest adventure. You are being invited to share in the rescue of the people on this planet that Jesus died to save. Read Ezekiel 22:30, 31 and join with him and with us as intercessory prayer partners that learn from Jesus to pray and change the destiny of nations!

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land (the people) so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none."

He's still looking today. Will you learn and join the team?

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