Draw Near to God Part 1 - Prayer
The believer's source of strength is God; therefore our relationship with the Lord determines the
condition of our spiritual strength. Although each individual's relationship with God is different and
unique just as different members make up the body of Christ, there are four primary areas that
serve as avenues to build an intimate relationship with God. Prayer, praise and worship, the word of
God (scripture), and fasting. It is impossible for spiritual growth and maturity to occur with out
studying the word of God, having an active prayer life and being involved in worship.
Prayer
Prayer is not only essential for spiritual growth and spiritual battle, but Jesus also told us to pray.
(Matt 6:9, 9:38). Actually, God is offended by those who do not pray. "He was appalled that there
was no one to intervene"(Isaiah 59:16). As believers we should also inquire of the Lord for
guidance. When Joshua failed to consult with the Lord he later faced difficulties and consequences
as a result. The most important purpose for prayer is fellowship with God. Through fellowship the
believer draws near to God, building a deeper relation with Him. Prayer should not be a bless me list
or a shopping list. The primary focus and direction of prayer should be toward advancing the
kingdom of God and the spiritual growth of His people
The Holy Spirit initiates prayer and should be allowed to guide the direction of the prayer.
Sometimes it is best to keep silent and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the words
(give utterance), then speak what the Holy Spirit has revealed to your mind. Some people can not
hear the Holy Spirit because they are too busy shouting " holy, holy, holy, Praise the Lord, alleluia,
alleluia, alleluia!! This is repetitious babbling, not prayer. Affective prayer comes from the heart and
is revealed by the Holy Spirit, not by many words and repetition. "Be still, and know that I am God"
(Ps 46:10).
1 Peter 4:7 says to be serious and watchful in prayer. Not only is prayer initiated by the Holy Spirit
but all prayer is also channeled through Him and translated to the Father.
The main forms of prayer are confession of sin, praise and worship, thanks giving, petition,
intercession and spiritual warfare through proclaiming the truth of God's word. Spiritual warfare
prayers can also include praise, worship, giving thanks and giving glory to God. Confession can be
agreeing with God in any given area of your life but usually confession is admitting all of your sin
areas and exposing them to the light before God. Confession of sin is absolutely necessary (Isa 59:
9-14; Jas 5:16). God is faithful and just to forgive the sinner but if we fail to admit sin then His
word is not in us (1 Jn 1:19).
When we pray we should give thanks in all things (1 Th 5:18). Christians should be faithful in giving
thanks for their blessings as well as in their struggles. Give thanks if you have suffered because of
Christ, because the Lord has found you worthy of suffering for His names sake. Most prayer falls
into the category of petition. No research is necessary to support such a claim. As a matter of fact
the largest area of prayer in the Bible falls into the petition category. But petition should not be a
shopping list or a bless me list. True petition is crying out for God's help and mercy in a certain area
of life, or even a lamentation over conditions in a believer's life. Intercession is praying on behalf of
others or interceding to improve circumstances in the lives of others. Intercession can be made in
the interest of others spiritual condition and salvation. I have experienced a stronger presence of
the Holy Spirit when I pray for others, during times of interceding prayers. This is especially true
when prayers are for spiritual purposes. A good example of this is when Paul mentions his prayer
for the church in Ephesus and in Rome.
Prayer is also necessary in our own personal spiritual warfare. There is spiritual war being waged
against individual people and there is cosmic spiritual war; principalities of darkness and evil forces
over dominions. I am referring to spiritual war on an individual level. Spiritual war on a cosmic level
battling domains should be attempted only in groups of spiritually mature Christians knowledgeable
in cosmic level spiritual warfare. This excludes me. On a personal level, combining praise and worship
to your prayer and claiming deliverance on the grounds of Christ's redeeming victory on the cross is
powerful in destroying the attacks of the enemy. Pray continually, continuous prayer results in
continual victory. As Christians we should pray daily several times throughout the day. The Lord is
our Savior as well as our friend. Rejoice and pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17).
Below is a list of Psalms of prayer that have really ministered to my life during low points and
times of struggle.
condition of our spiritual strength. Although each individual's relationship with God is different and
unique just as different members make up the body of Christ, there are four primary areas that
serve as avenues to build an intimate relationship with God. Prayer, praise and worship, the word of
God (scripture), and fasting. It is impossible for spiritual growth and maturity to occur with out
studying the word of God, having an active prayer life and being involved in worship.
Prayer
Prayer is not only essential for spiritual growth and spiritual battle, but Jesus also told us to pray.
(Matt 6:9, 9:38). Actually, God is offended by those who do not pray. "He was appalled that there
was no one to intervene"(Isaiah 59:16). As believers we should also inquire of the Lord for
guidance. When Joshua failed to consult with the Lord he later faced difficulties and consequences
as a result. The most important purpose for prayer is fellowship with God. Through fellowship the
believer draws near to God, building a deeper relation with Him. Prayer should not be a bless me list
or a shopping list. The primary focus and direction of prayer should be toward advancing the
kingdom of God and the spiritual growth of His people
The Holy Spirit initiates prayer and should be allowed to guide the direction of the prayer.
Sometimes it is best to keep silent and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the words
(give utterance), then speak what the Holy Spirit has revealed to your mind. Some people can not
hear the Holy Spirit because they are too busy shouting " holy, holy, holy, Praise the Lord, alleluia,
alleluia, alleluia!! This is repetitious babbling, not prayer. Affective prayer comes from the heart and
is revealed by the Holy Spirit, not by many words and repetition. "Be still, and know that I am God"
(Ps 46:10).
1 Peter 4:7 says to be serious and watchful in prayer. Not only is prayer initiated by the Holy Spirit
but all prayer is also channeled through Him and translated to the Father.
The main forms of prayer are confession of sin, praise and worship, thanks giving, petition,
intercession and spiritual warfare through proclaiming the truth of God's word. Spiritual warfare
prayers can also include praise, worship, giving thanks and giving glory to God. Confession can be
agreeing with God in any given area of your life but usually confession is admitting all of your sin
areas and exposing them to the light before God. Confession of sin is absolutely necessary (Isa 59:
9-14; Jas 5:16). God is faithful and just to forgive the sinner but if we fail to admit sin then His
word is not in us (1 Jn 1:19).
When we pray we should give thanks in all things (1 Th 5:18). Christians should be faithful in giving
thanks for their blessings as well as in their struggles. Give thanks if you have suffered because of
Christ, because the Lord has found you worthy of suffering for His names sake. Most prayer falls
into the category of petition. No research is necessary to support such a claim. As a matter of fact
the largest area of prayer in the Bible falls into the petition category. But petition should not be a
shopping list or a bless me list. True petition is crying out for God's help and mercy in a certain area
of life, or even a lamentation over conditions in a believer's life. Intercession is praying on behalf of
others or interceding to improve circumstances in the lives of others. Intercession can be made in
the interest of others spiritual condition and salvation. I have experienced a stronger presence of
the Holy Spirit when I pray for others, during times of interceding prayers. This is especially true
when prayers are for spiritual purposes. A good example of this is when Paul mentions his prayer
for the church in Ephesus and in Rome.
Prayer is also necessary in our own personal spiritual warfare. There is spiritual war being waged
against individual people and there is cosmic spiritual war; principalities of darkness and evil forces
over dominions. I am referring to spiritual war on an individual level. Spiritual war on a cosmic level
battling domains should be attempted only in groups of spiritually mature Christians knowledgeable
in cosmic level spiritual warfare. This excludes me. On a personal level, combining praise and worship
to your prayer and claiming deliverance on the grounds of Christ's redeeming victory on the cross is
powerful in destroying the attacks of the enemy. Pray continually, continuous prayer results in
continual victory. As Christians we should pray daily several times throughout the day. The Lord is
our Savior as well as our friend. Rejoice and pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17).
Below is a list of Psalms of prayer that have really ministered to my life during low points and
times of struggle.
- Ps 17 - keep safe from wicked / confidence in salvation
- Ps 18 - The Lord is my shelter, fortress & deliverer
- Ps 28 - God's just judgment against wicked. Rejoicing in answered prayer
- Ps 40 - Faith Persevering in Trial; overtaken by the burden of sin, God lifts David from a
horrible pit of despair - Ps 46 - God the Refuge of His People and Conqueror of the Nations
- Ps 51 - A prayer of repentance, when Nathan the prophet confronted David
- Ps 55 - A prayer concerning enemies & being betrayed by friends
- Ps 61 - God's shelter
- Ps 62 - knowing God is your rock & salvation
- Ps 88 - prayer for help when grieved and feeling hopeless
- Ps 91 - refuge in God
- Ps 102 - Prayer of the Afflicted, overwhelmed and Pours Out His heart Before God
- Ps 119 -
- Ps 141 - prayer for safekeeping from being wicked and temptations
- Ps 143 - an appeal for guidance and deliverance
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