To Be A Berean For Christ-Prayer
One of my number one things I always emphasize with my family, friends, and coworkers is communication. Imagine talking to your father, but for only ten hours a year? As a father myself, just thinking about that hurts. As Christians, we use prayer to speak to our Heavenly Father. This means we use it for guidance, healing, wisdom, love, peace, and asking for forgiveness, among other purposes. It is so amazing that God gives and encourages us to pray, so that we can have a personal relationship with him.
Today, I want to emphasize several verses regarding prayer. The goal of this is for your reflection so that you may see your prayer life grow.
He is with us
“17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in his works.
18. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
20. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.”
Psalm 145:17-21
God wants us to come to Him in confidence.
“16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
We must pray at all times, so that we can uphold Biblical knowledge for when we proclaim His name.
“18. Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19. and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20. for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Ephesians 6:18-20
Biblically, we can use Jesus as a reference and a guide on how to pray and how often to pray to our Heavenly Father. Examples of this include: Baptism- Luke 3:21-22; choosing the twelve disciples- Luke 6:12; on the cross- Luke 23:34, Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34; The Lord's Prayer- Luke 11:1-4. I have included more verses for your reflection at the end of this post.
As Christians, we must use prayer as a form of communication so that we can grow closer to God and open our hearts to scripture. It is important to use prayer to cultivate a relationship and intimacy with God. Also, that we can confess wrongdoings and receive forgiveness from our Heavenly Father. Communication via prayer before, during, and after our Bible study is important because it helps open our spiritual foresight and hearts to understanding and enlightenment in God's Word. I encourage you all to read and find passages and verses when individuals pray to God throughout the Bible.
Footnotes: Matthew 14:19, Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32, Luke 22:39-46, Luke 9:28-29, 27:46, John 6:11, John 11:41-42, John 17:1-26, etc.
Stay the Course for The Kingdom
Austin