Prayer & Repentance
Prayer is the contrite sinners' voice,
returning from their way,
while angels in their songs rejoice
and cry, "Behold, they pray!"
Prayer is the Christians' vital breath,
the Christians' native air;
their watchword at the gates of death;
they enter heaven with prayer.
2 stanzas from the hymn ‘Prayer is the Soul’s Sincere Desire’,
written by James Montgomery
I’ve often read about controversy over the ‘sinner’s prayer’. Though, I’m wary of man-made repetitive, formulaic prayer,
I believe we must look beyond to the depth of the soul that prays it. God alone knows the heart of the person that prays.
Jesus said, ‘He that comes to me I will in no wise cast out’.( John 6:37)
Of course, the prayer of repentance is only the beginning. But it is the first step that has to be taken. You could say it is a leap of faith.
The Bible tells us that the goodness of God leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4) From that first step we must continue to walk in faithful obedience.
Through the Word of God and by His Spirit, Jesus will continue to guide and teach us how to pray in every situation of life.
It was his native air and vital breath here on Earth; as it is and will be for every child of God.
It's true that praying to our heavenly Father is a privilege. It is a discipline to be learned too.
Weapon of Warfare
It was Jesus' native air and vital breath here on Earth; as it is and will be for every child of God.
Prayer is supposed to be a believer’s native air-easier to do than not. Just part of our born-again nature.
But that-as we all know-is not always our experience. Because it is a mighty weapon of warfare to build up our faith(Jude 1:20)
the enemy vehemently fights our use of it.
Enemy’s Strategy
The Bible tells us that Satan walks about as a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour. (I Peter 5:8)
The enemy uses several strategies and tactics to shut down our prayer time.
Distractions and disappointment are two subtle ones he may use.
He is conniving, hoping we won’t notice what’s happened to our spiritual zeal.
He loves seeing us becoming weaker and weaker from less and less praying. And before we know it,
we fall into temptation and sin.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Proverbs 28:9
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13
Spirit Helps Us Pray
Have you ever tried to pray but the words all came out stilted or halted? Maybe your mind is full of confusion,
causing you to not be able to string one sentence together. Perhaps you’re feeling so overwhelmed
with life’s storm that doubt has clouded your faith in yourself, others, and/or God.
Do you know the Spirit of God will help you to pray? It’s one of the gifts. (I Corinthians 12:30)
The following verses describe it.
Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit,
because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26,27
The Right Prayers
Notice the last words of the verses above-ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
That is how Jesus taught the disciples to pray. It doesn't mean we need to say those words exactly,
but it is a guideline or outline for praying. It contains petitions of praise, priorities, provision, protection and proclamation.
The Lord's Prayer
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13
