Know to whom you
are speaking.
Prayer is a conversation with God,
and every conversation begins by
addressing the person to whom you
are speaking by name. Jesus
begins with “Our Father in
heaven.” He focuses on a distinct
person — the Heavenly Father with
whom he has a personal
relationship. We share the same
right to call God “Father,” and
there are times when we need to
talk with our Abba Father, Daddy
God. But God is three distinct
persons in One: the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I find it helpful in my prayer times
to focus on which of the Holy
Trinity I need to talk to. Often I
talk to Jesus, the friend who is
closer than a brother and the
Savior of my soul. Other times I cry
out to the Holy Spirit, who fills and
empowers me to do the tasks Father
God has called me to do. Know that he can do all things.
Thank him.
A heartfelt thank you is always a
great conversation starter. Like any
parent, God loves to see that we
have grateful hearts. But more
importantly, as we take the time to
praise God for all He has done in
the past — the answered prayers,
the impossible situations overcome,
the healings and grace — our faith
to believe for even greater answers
to prayer grows stronger and more
confident. Praise opens the gates of
heaven and should always be part
of our alone time with God.
Ask for forgiveness.
James 5:16 reminds us that if we
want our prayers to be heard, our
hearts need to be right with God
and with one another. If you feel
your prayers are bouncing off the
ceiling, take some time to check
your heart. Therefore acknowledge your sins and it shall be forgiven you.
Say the things that you need.
In Jesus’ time, bread was a staple —
one of the most basic needs of life
and he did not hesitate to ask
God to provide it. But we often
hesitate to bother God with the
little things we need, thinking he
shouldn’t be bothered. And when
the big problems come, we try
everything we can to solve the
problem before we think to pray.
The Bible says, “You do not have
because you do not ask God.” So
never hesitate to ask God for what
you need in 2019. Your Father in
heaven delights to give you good
gifts.
Pray the Word of God.
My mother was a spiritual prayer
warrior, and much that I know
about prayer I learned from her. I
loved to listen to her pray because
for every need or situation, she
would claim a scripture of promise.
“The Word of God has power and is
our great spiritual weapon,” Mama
would say. “Pray the Word,. Pray the Word.”
Jesus did the same when he was
tempted by Satan in the wilderness
(see Luke 4:1-12). He was the Son
of God, but he did not use his
divine authority. Instead, he used
the authority of the Scriptures. So read the scripture often to enable you know them.
