Some seem to think it is an otherworldly connection that you must be pious and a hermit to achieve answered prayer. Some believe it is a connection to a genie in a lamp who has granted you unlimited wishes.
There are some who refuse to pray in public because of Christ telling us about the Pharisee and the publican.
Some who are searching for the perfect formula in words, and some who just flat are embarrassed because they think their prayers are inadequate compared to those people they hear praying out loud around them.
What is prayer?
a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God
Prayer is a request, solemn. Huh. That is the dictionary definition.
Peter had no time for a solemn request when he was sinking on the water. The 3 Hebrews tossed in the fire had little time and (I am guessing) no solemnity in their request as they were going into the furnace.
God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden walking and talking with them.
God walked with Enoch, in fact He enjoyed talking to Enoch so much God took him to heaven without death.
That is what prayer is - talking to God. There is no formula, there is no perfect position, no perfect stance, no ritual or "magical spells".
It is a heart condition, your heart and God's in agreement, talking, laughing, conversing. God wants to know about your day, your thoughts, your concerns, your fears, your victories, your failures. Now before you tell me "He is God He already knows this", He wants to hear it from you, your perspective.
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 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.
Christ gave what we call the model prayer, Model prayer. That's all it is, just a model not a magical example that if you say these words you get what you want from God.
God has always dealt with the heart of man, that is the main consideration of His and should be yours as well.
Nothing else matters if your heart is not right with God.
If you are praying for your own greed and welfare, and I do not mean your needs, I mean your wants, then He won't hear.
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
There is no " name it and claim it" nonsense. There is no "declaring health and wealth and God will make it so,"
God cares only for the heart, Christ blasted the Pharisees time and time again for their hearts, He hated that they served in words only and their hearts were far from Him.
Isa_29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
God cares only about the heart position. He wants you to walk and talk with Him, He wants you to have a heart for Him and His Will. He wants you to talk to Him of the smallest thing and the biggest thing.
He wants to know you, and He wants you to WANT to know Him.
There is only one way to get to know a person, and I mean truly know them, and that is talking to them. We have the Bible where God tells us of Him, and His Plan, His Son, but He wants you to talk to Him that He might explain it more perfectly to you.
He wants to hear from you, He wants to talk to you. YOU. Specifically.
How many other people in this world can you say that about? Not many. Most want from you only what they can get or take from you.
God wants nothing more than you, your time, your attention.
That is what prayer is. Talking to God and getting to know Him, letting Him know you.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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