[Jeremiah 29:11-14 KJV] “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. [12] Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [13] And ye shall seek me, and find me , when ye shall search for me with all your heart. [14] And I will be found of you, saith the Lord : and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord ; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive”.
I want to exhort all men to pray, because the Lord has promised to hear and save all those who call upon Him. Our God is a prayer answering God. The God I serve is a miracle working God. He is a good God and there is none like Him.
1. Motivation and intensions:
The first thing you must pay attention to when praying, is your motivations and intensions. In Matthew 6:5-6, the Lord teaches that if you stand in the temples and street corners to pray to be heard by men; then you have your rewards once people hear you praying. You must have a clear purpose for every prayer time.
2. Sayings and content:
In Luke 11:1-2, we learn that prayer must have content. We must vocalize our prayer. When you pray, say something. Don’t just mutter out words, you must say something. When you stand in prayer, let your request be made known.
3. Build a relationship before there is a need:
From Luke 11:5-8, we see that it is important to build a relationship with God even before we we have a need. The Scripture is saying that under normal circumstances, a man will recieve help when he asks his friend for help; but even if the friend refuse to give to him because he is a friend, he shall answer him because of his importunity. God wants to have a relationship with us, but beyond that, God wants us to ask until we recieve. Sometimes men do not treasure things they got so easily.
4. Keep asking for what you want until you recieve it – Importunity:
Luke 18:1-5 teaches that a man who makes a request will recieve his answer even if he is not a friend, but he is importunate in his requests. You will surely recieve answers because you kept asking; because you kept asking day and night. Your continual coming will yield results; great results.
4. Come seeking God’s mercy and loving kindness:
The Lord despises those who justify themselves and despise others. In Luke 18:6-10, we know that a man who justifies himself and despise others shall never be helped. May we trust in the mercies and loving kindness of God.
You shall recieve answers to prayers. None of us shall fail. The Lord shall help you and you shall not fail. Be blessed
I love you;
Noah Simpe Bediako