PRAYER

PRAYER
Finally amongst the full armor of GOD that a Christian soldier is expected to put on is PRAYER.

This simply put is communication with a higher authority, one whom is able to cause a change as concerning a particular situation/ challenge/ condition facing someone.

When you her statements like I pray you, it refers to a plea to get something done and the one whom you pray to is able to fulfill that plea.

We could also identify the muslims who observe mandatory prayer sessions in a bid to fulfill the commandments of their god. Idol worshippers equally pray to connect with their god.

So all in all, whenever a prayer session occurs, the major aim is to establish a 2-way communication, one that goes to and fro, more like a telephone conversation and really nothing like a radio communication whereby there is no feedback.

As Christians, scriptures instruct that we should pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17) and this fact most men believe is very impossible because of the notion that would one pray whilst sleeping or perhaps while there is food in the mouth during meals.

But really a prayer session or more precisely a praying life should be one that involves a steady, continuous, unbreaking, devoid of distractions communication with GOD and this really does not require the movement of the lips all the time but a heart connect with the Father and this surely could last not just through a day but all through the lifetime of a believer.

The Christian walk heads for a head-on collapse if one's life is void of a constant consistent communication with the GOD of the walk.

Matt 26:41 shows us Jesus's instruction to us as believers all through our walk in this world. The instruction is that we should watch and pray and the reason for that been that as we go through in our journey there remains an urgency to watch very carefully so as not to fall into temptations and even as we watch, we also need to pray all through our walk in order to lay hold upon directions for the paths we would need to thread through instead whenever we are faced with these temptations and equally receive strength needed to walk faithfully through this GOD-ordained paths.

Consider a man whom the devil brings his way a whorish woman and she intends to lead him into temptations, by his watching, he would be able to identify the temptation, but a constant consistent communication with the Father is still needed to inform him of the way he would need to go to avoid falling into that temptation and it is also by prayer that he would receive strength to do so.

We could also see Daniel resorting to prayers when he was threatened (Dan. 6:10).

Luke 21:36 adds yet another sweet benefit to watching and praying and here Christ says "So that one may be accounted worthy to escape all things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man." All things here could include temptations, trials and persecutions of one's faith in Christ and by standing one is able to lay hold upon eternity standing before GOD . . . HALLELUYAH

The importance of prayer in the life of a Christian cannot be overemphasized because we could see Jesus variously also involving himself in a very serious prayer life always communing with the Father. (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16; 6:12; 22:32; 22: 41-44; 23:34. John 17:126; 12:27-28; 11:41-42, Matt. 6:9-13; 11:25-26; 14:23).

Seeing that prayer was Jesus special tool, shouldn't it be ours too as Christians?

A major sea of doubt to a praying lifestyle being ours is the fact that as Christians we mostly prefer to disbelieve while we pray and also much more when we don't see the results of what we pray for but how can you receive a contract approval if your proposal wasn't right in the first place (James 4:3)?

Other hindrances to answered prayers could include Pride (II Chr. 7:14), Ignorance (Eph. 1:18, Matt. 6:7), Unrighteousness (I Tim. 2:8, Psalm 15:8; 15:29), Faithlessness (Rom. 12:12).

If all of these weren't the case then we have an abundance of assurance (Matt. 7:11, Mark 11:24, Jer. 29:12, Psalm 102:17; 145:18, I John 5:14-15) that GOD hears us whenever we ask aright and He gives us our request.

The Lord Jesus in Matt. 6:9-13 and Luke 11:24 showed the disciples a prototype example of how to pray in what we call today "The Lords prayer" and this shows the various parts that need to be fulfilled during prayer.

I Tim. 2:1 also give some of the various items to be fulfilled during prayers  Petitions, Prayers, Intercession and Thanksgiving.

Also very equally important and very useful is praying in the Holy Ghost.  Rom. 8:26 reveals that we most times don't know how well to pray but the Spirit helps our weakness and we are able to pray and also whenever we pray in the Holy Ghost we build up ourselves on our most holy faith.

Prayer, I'll say once again cannot be overemphasized in the life of a believer because that is the only way by which the believer gets to relate with GOD and relations with GOD are very needful if the believer intends to survive through the journey of life.

In conclusion, the fear or doubt that arises whilst praying shouldn't be reported amongst believers because of the evidence in John 15:7 which confirm to us that our remaining in GOD and His words remaining in us gives us whatever it is that we need.

Once we could walk in His ways, believe Him, trust His plans, that He always has the very best in store for us and He would bring them forth in His time (Jer. 29:11), then all that is needed is to before asking for a thing from GOD first go on to inquire whether it is GOD's time for you to possess that request, then you can go on ask devoid of any lustful purposes, surely supply is on its way.

James 5:16 further emphasizes the point of righteousness and how much impact the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man has in the presence of GOD, so we need to henceforth live our daily lives righteously devoid of filth as the Lord cannot behold iniquity (Habb. 1:13) and an unrighteous request would not receive any audience before Him.

Finally, friends we are firmly instructed to be careful for nothing (don't ever be scared or lose faith concerning any issues of life) but rather in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let all your requests (not leaving anything out) be made known to GOD (Phil. 4:6) this is so true even in our day because doubt is another major factor that hinders our answers to prayers because everyone who comes to GOD must believe that He exists and is a faithful rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

Psalm 55:17 - Evening and Morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud and HE SHALL HEAR MY VOICE.

Go on now and ask what you want in faith and get ready for your blessing is on the way. . . HALLELUYAH

GOD BLESS YOU