Prayer
What is it? Does God hear our prayers?

What is and is not prayer? How does someone pray? What would cause God NOT to hear someone's prayer?

Prayer is something most of us do, but we may not necessarily think about the condition or quality of it. We all know something about what it is, how it is done, whom we pray to, and how often we should do it.

Our main concern is: DOES GOD HEAR WHEN WE TALK TO HIM? One reason why we want God to hear us is Luke 11:13, which says that God gives His Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

Let's go over some general guidelines on how to pray to God, then show how we can know that he is listening, and cause him to do or not do something.

1. What is the purpose of prayer? One purpose is to believe there is a God, Hebrews 11:6.

2. To whom should we direct our prayer? Philippians 4:6, John 16:22-24. We should pray to the Father in Jesus Christ's name.

3. What should we pray about? Luke 11:1-13, Matthew 6:7-13. We need to pray about what's on our mind, something we are interested in. One specific example is in Luke 6:12-16. Jesus Christ could have said, "I know what is in man, I can pick these men, I know God is there, but I don't want to trouble Him with something I can handle myself." Instead, His attitude was: I am going to pray all night or as long as it takes, because of mine own self, I can do nothing (see John 5:30). Prayer was an integral part of Jesus Christ's life, and it should be of ours also.

4. Where should we pray? Mark 1:35, Matthew 6:5-6. It depends on the situation. Some are private and others public:

   1. Opening and closing prayer before church

   2. Private and repentance prayers

   3. Asking God's blessing on a meal, Matthew 14:19.

   4. Family and husband and wife prayers

   5. Emergency prayers when we need immediate help.

5. At what times should we pray? 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, Romans 12:12, and Psalm 55:17. We should pray regularly during the day and be in an attitude to do so. We can also thank and praise God for His blessings and always being there when we need Him, Psalm 119:164 and Psalm 113:1-3.

6. Does every prayer have to be a complete? Nehemiah 2:1-4. No, it has many forms in different circumstances, but in general, it should be complete.

7. What is the physical position we should take? Acts 9:40, 1 Timothy 2:8, Matthew 26:39, and Jonah 2:1. Physical circumstances may dictate our physical position while talking with God. We should pray mostly on our knees before God, but more importantly, have the attitude of humility and worship.

• It is worship. It is a one-on-one relationship with God.

• It is an opportunity to have contact with God. If we have sinned, we need to repent.

• It is from the heart.

• It is fellowship with God.

• It is directly seeking and submitting to God's will.

• It is not memorized, Matthew 6:7. It must be from the heart.

• It is not make-believe. It is not just good therapy. Don't feel better just because you prayed for someone. Do not offer prayer for someone with the intent of relieving your conscience.

• It is not a means by which we can get from God what we want.

• It is not a sign of righteousness. We are not better than others if we spend more time in prayer than they do.

• It is not seeking our will. We can have everything right, but there is still one thing we must do for God to hear us and intervene.

What are some things that will cause God NOT to hear us during prayer? People who say "Lord, Lord," actually believe their prayers are being heard, Matthew 7:21-23. God did not say that what they said was not true, but because they lived in sin, God will not let them enter His Kingdom. If the husband does not give his wife honor, God will not hear him, 1Peter 3:7. It is not God's fault that He will not hear us, our sins cut us off from God, Isaiah 59:1-3.

Knowing that there is no power on earth that can cut us off from God, Romans 8:31-39, we should take steps to correct any flaws in our character. Psalm 15:1-5 shows the person whose prayers are heard and who will be in God's Kingdom. God looks to the man who is humble, and fears to mishandle His word, Isaiah 66:2. God looks for people to serve Him, 2 Chronicles 16:9. Elijah was a man who was subject to the same passions we are, yet God heard him through prayer, James 5:13-18. This shows that we can be subject to passions yet not give in to them and sin. We cannot free ourselves from this world until death.

When we really want God to hear us, He will, Matthew 21:17-22. Christ told His disciples that if they believed, that whatever they ask they will receive. God calls us, gives us His Holy Spirit, and converts us, but He cannot make us believe. Prayers of the saints are like incense to God, Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4. These are the people who daily ask for God's Kingdom to return, because they are yearning for God's Kingdom, knowing that this present world is an evil world. God, at this time, answers them.

God's servants today are weak and lack the power that the first century church had. Most measure God's hand in their lives by the amount of this world's goods they posses. The first century church did not have the printed media, television or the Internet, yet they did a greater work than any has done today. God said that before He returns, the gospel of the Kingdom will be preached into all the world, Matthew 24:14. Those who are God's true servants will do that work. It is yet future and it will be accomplished because God hears when they offer prayer, and they have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them mightily, and they have the faith to believe.

I hope these guidelines for prayer will help in your spiritual walk with God.