Power in the Prayer
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
As mysterious as it might seem to talk directly with the Almighty, the Bible assures us that prayer is a two-way conversation between God and us. God made sure humanity has the opportunity to tell Him our concerns, worries, requests, and praises.
"Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary, in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him." (Ellen White)
Prayer is the way we communicate with God, and that's so much more than reciting a wishlist. We don’t want to limit God to a cosmic vending machine. He wants to be our character builder, our loving Father who helps us grow.
Do you need prayer?
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How?
There are many different ways of having a conversation. The essential precondition for an intensive dialogue is your attitude towards your partner.
When we pray we can kneel down, close our eyes, fold our hands, formulate our words just in our thoughts or speak out loud.
What is important is not to place the form above the content. It is not enough to make a ‘pious face’, if we have nothing to say. Praying is a serious matter, but not a sad, tortuous one. It’s not a question of great words, but rather of inner attitude.
The closer we turn to God the clearer He will answer (Luke 18:9-14).
When?
Whoever begins the day with prayer also finds time to do everything that needs to be done: “Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3)
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” (Psalms 63:6)
The Bible says, “Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), meaning that such a close relationship with God is possible everywhere, at all times.
Prayer is not an obligation, but rather the principle of depending on God everywhere and allow Him to play a part in everything we do.
What to say?
"God, I call upon you!
Help me to pray and to collect my thoughts towards you. I cannot do it alone.
In me there is darkness, but in you there is light.
I am lonely, but you do not leave me.
I am downcast but in you there is help.
I am troubled, but in you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but in you there is patience.
I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me.’
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Resources
We have received many requests for prayers and also different questions regarding this topic. You might be interested to learn more about it from our answers to questions like the ones below.
The privilege of prayer
Let us share with you a key resource for spiritual growth that includes a dedicated chapter on the topic of Prayer.
This little book is entitled Steps to Christ and you can read it or listen for free on our resources website. An inspired passage from the 11th chapter (“The privilege of prayer”) reminds us:
“When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most.”
Interactive prayer session
As an interactive service, you are welcome to submit your prayer requests during our morning devotionals.
Live broadcast, on Facebook, from 8:30 sharp to around 9am (weekdays). Each morning we have a different speaker and two prayer sessions for those joining to request such help and support.
Please scan the qr code in the picture or click the link below to take a look at our latest meetings, devotionals and prayer requests from viewers: https://www.facebook.com/adventist.org.uk