Prayer For A Purposed-Filled Life.

A Prayer for the Joy of the Lord to Fill Our Lives

Prayer For A Purposed-Filled Life.

  • Debbie McDaniel
  • 2019May 15

If you’ve ever found yourself facing hard times, one thing you may know to be true: difficult seasons will often seek to drive our joy and happiness far away. But it’s also there, right in the tough places, where we can learn this important truth too, which gives us the perseverance to keep pressing through.

True joy is never dependent on our circumstances, it is from the Lord. 

Joy is a choice. It’s not something we can just drum up on our own, or try to put on a fake, happy face, pretending everything is OK when we struggle to just get through. It’s far more than that.

It’s authentic. It’s real. And it’s powerful. The Bible is clear that we need to “choose” to have joy during seasons of difficulty. It reminds us that the “joy of the Lord is our strength.

” (Nehemiah 8:10)

If we’re needing that extra power boost of strength in our day, His joy within us will help us walk in confidence and truth, not held back in fear or worry. The Lord is faithful to help us and there are far greater things still ahead. He gives us the power to live strong. He gives wisdom and discernment to make the right choices. He plants joy deep inside.

He offers the assurance, that no matter what we face, He is with us. And because of those truths, we can recognize who is at the root of every battle with discouragement and defeat. Don’t let the enemy steal your joy by listening to his lies. Step over his traps, focus on the truth of God’s word.

God desires that we live free, filled with His Mighty Spirit, stepping right over every obstacle of the enemy.

We might be facing the toughest of times now, but the truth is, if God has given us breath for today, then He still has great purpose for our lives and promises to bring good through whatever we walk through.

He’s the very reason we can live with joy in the battles, and have peace that is unexplainable to the world.

Let’s choose to look to Him this morning, thankful for the gift of today, asking Him to fill us afresh with His hope and true joy.

A Prayer for the Joy of the Lord: 

Dear God,

We confess our need for you, for your Spirit to fill our lives afresh with great joy and strength. The hard times can often leave us feeling dry and defeated. We’ve been weary and burdened. We’ve struggled through for so long, it’s hard to see light at the end of the tunnel anymore.

Would you please give us a glimpse of your goodness again, reminding us that you have never left us and that you have promised to see us through. Thank you for your faithfulness Lord. Forgive us for not trusting you, for buying into the lies of the enemy, and not focusing on what we know to be true from your word.

Breathe your joy and peace into our lives again, cover us in the shadow of your wings, shine the light of your truth over us.

At the start of each day, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you and notice how you're at work through our lives. Give us wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else.

Please allow your Spirit and power to work mightily within us, through us, again, fresh and new. Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day, or in these difficult seasons.

Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances; but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we might be up against in this world. We ask that your Spirit lead us, that your peace would guard our hearts and minds in you.

We ask for your grace to cover our lives, and that you would bring us through every dark season with your joy and favor.

We love you Lord. We need you today, and always.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

15 Verses on Finding True Joy in the Lord – He promises to give us joy because:

His joy is where our strength is found:

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Jesus came to give us abundant life:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

His Spirit fills us with real hope and joy:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Even in our hardest times, He gives us the power to choose joy:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2

God’s blessing, joy, and presence are with us always:

“For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.” Psalm 21:6

Every day is a gift from His hand:

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

No matter the trials we’ve faced, God will again restore laughter and joy:

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.” Job 8:21

His peace and joy will carry us through:

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

We can choose to find joy in Him, for He will bring us through every difficulty:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

The very fruit of God’s Spirit is joy:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23

The reality of Christ’s love for us and the hope He offers, gives us everlasting joy that the world can’t understand:

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,” 1 Peter 1:8

God knows how healthy joy is forour lives and He will bring healing to our hearts:

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

He is able to restore our joy again:

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12

Even after the darkest times, joy comes back:

“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning…” Psalm 30:5

He is faithful to see us through seasons of difficulty and pain, and will fill us with shouts of joy:

“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6

We have a choice every day of who we listen to and what we believe. We have a choice of what we will do with joy. May God help us to live wisely and to allow the light of His powerful joy and strength to shine through our lives in every season.

Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's  page, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also on  and at her blog www.debbiemcdaniel.com.

This article is part of our Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

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The Lord’s Prayer
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Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
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Источник: //www.ibelieve.com/health-beauty/a-prayer-for-the-joy-of-the-lord-to-fill-our-lives.html

Live a Life Filled With Purpose

Prayer For A Purposed-Filled Life.

Who am I?

Why am I here?

What is my purpose in life?

We begin asking ourselves these questions from the moment we learn to speak.

As our children grow, they ask us these questions as well.

Some people ask these questions until they take their final breath.

Do you know the reason why you’re here?

If you find the answers to these questions elusive, chances are, you’re seeking enlightenment in all of the wrong places!

When our lives feel empty or lack meaning – when deep down inside, we feel unfulfilled – we often:

  • Seek fulfillment in jobs that cannot measure our worth.
  • Pursue pleasure from pastimes that rob us of health.
  • Turn to false idols that can never fill our empty spaces.
  • Seek wisdom from false teachers who only lead us astray.
  • Seek comfort from people who can never give us unconditional love.

However, there is only one place that holds the answers to the existential questions we seek – the Bible. There is only one person who can give true meaning to our lives – God.

For in Him we live and have our being. – Acts 17:28

It’s Not About You – It’s About God

Ten years ago, my church studied The Shorter Westminster Catechism and spent a lot of time reflecting on the meaning of its opening statement:

The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

This isn’t a popular concept to teach these days, particularly in a society whose focus is on exalting the individual, not the Lord.

But it’s an important truth – one that’s key to understanding who we are and why we’re here. The reason why “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” is that they lack a fundamental understanding of who God is and who they are in relationship to Him.

In 2002, California pastor Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, a biblically-based book that explains “the chief end of man” in language contemporary readers can understand. The book’s opening message states “It All Starts With God” and “It’s Not About You”.

The results were ground-breaking.

According to Publishers Weekly, The Purpose Driven Life currently holds the record as the bestselling non-fiction hardback book in history (next to the Bible!). More than 32 million around the world have flocked to this book to learn why they’re hear and how they can live according to God’s purpose.

The perpetual popularity of this book reveals two things about our spiritual condition:

  • There’s a hole in people’s hearts that only God can fill.
  • There are questions in life that only the Bible can answer.

Here are a few key points that the Bible teaches us about our identity and purpose in life that Rick shares in his book.

Who Am I?

All things were created through Him and for Him. – Colossians 1:16

You are God’s creation. God created you for His eternal plan and His purposes. Once you understand that, everything begins to fall into place. You can start to live a life that pleases God – a life filled with daily praise and worship.

Why Am I Here?

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you darkness into His marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9

You are here to love God with all your heart, your mind, and your soul. You are here to love your neighbor as yourself. You are here to be salt and light in a dying world. You are here to become more and more conformed to the image of Christ with each passing day. You are here to minister to others using the gifts that God has given you.

What Is My Purpose In Life?

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. – 2 Corinthians 5:8

As Christ-followers, you are given opportunities to share your testimony and the good news of the gospel with people that God places on your heart and in your life. God prepares you to meet with these people through the connections you make, the life experiences you have, your talents and spiritual gifts, and through His Holy Spirit working through you.

You don’t have to be a gifted evangelist to make a difference in other people’s lives. Remember, it’s not about you! All you need is a heart that is willing to let God’s light shine through you!

The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2

It takes a long time in life for most of us to truly understand who we are in Christ – why our lives have meaning and value in God’s eyes in spite of how others view it – and why our identity and mission in life are not dependent on any job, role, title or position.

Because we are immersed in a culture that bombards us with non-biblical messages, we need to spend a lot of time in prayer and in God’s Word to transform the way we think.

That’s why I recommend The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids.

The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids is a 365-day devotional that teaches middle school children that God created them with a purpose and helps them to live out God’s plans and purpose for their life!

Your Turn

How does understanding who you are from God’s perspective help you to lead a more fulfilling life? What suggestions do you have for helping your children to understand how loved by and valuable they are to God? Please share your thoughts in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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Источник: //www.faithgateway.com/live-life-filled-purpose/

Christians Pray God Prayer Life , Sample of Term Papers

Prayer For A Purposed-Filled Life.

Introduction Prayer is a universal human experience. There is not a culture in the world that does not have some means of prayer, some way of communicating with the Divine. That is why I have chosen to examine prayer. Prayer is one of the “key beliefs” of Christians.

Prayer illuminates our relationship with God and allows us to express our love for Him, our faith and hope in Him. We have the opportunity to share our concerns, fears, needs and desires with the Almighty. The quality of our prayer life is directly related to the quality of our spiritual life and our knowledge of God.

If we understand the purpose of prayer and it’s components, we are able to strive towards enhancing our prayer life where it becomes rich and fulfilling. When we develop our prayer life, we develop a stronger and deeper relationship with God; our prayers become our point of power.

Definition of Prayer Pray is a means of communicating with God.

Aside from studying the Word of God, prayer is a method used to help us develop a relationship with God and also to know His will for our lives. Prayer is the privilege of speaking and listening to God.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines prayer as conversation with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him.

Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory; or formal.

It is a “beseeching the Lord” (Ex. 32: 11); “pouring out the soul before the Lord” (1 Sam. 1: 15); “praying and crying to heaven” (2 Chr. 32: 20); “seeking unto God and making supplication” (Job 8: 5); “drawing near to God” (Ps.

The Essay on Greece Values People God Life

… the concept of a multi-god society. Their relationship with the gods did not include a personal relationship with a god. With the arrival of … prayer is offered for an individual. Beautiful mosaics that depict the birth, life and death of Jesus … today provide a quiet and restful place for meditation and prayer. Visitors are welcome to enter and light a candle as …

73: 28); and “bowing the knees” (Eph. 3: 14)

Components of Prayer There are four components of prayer: worship or praise, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. Praise is an acknowledgement of God’s goodness, greatness, and loving kindness.

After Kin David assembled the building materials for the future temple, he declared, “Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty; yours is the kingdom” (1 Chr 29: 11).

Kind David was praising God. He was acknowledging God’s goodness and greatness because even though he was building a temple to offer to God, he knew that only by God’s greatness is he able. According to Fee and Stuart (1993), “God deserves praise for his greatness and goodness in spite of and in the midst of our misery.

This life holds no certainty of freedom from distress” (p. 205)

Christians pray to confess their sins. Confession might be defined as telling God the truth about oneself. Confession is the process of bringing the darkness of ones faults to the light of God’s forgiveness. “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66: 18).

This means that one must not only confess one’s sins but one most also repent. When the Lord convicts us of sin, we need to own it, confess it, and then believe in God’s willingness to forgive us.

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment” (Psalms 51).

This Psalm is David’s prayer to God after Nathan condemns him for killing Uriah the Hittite and then making Uriah’s wife his wife. The Bible tells Christians to give God thanks for everything.

It is very important to thank God when He has answered a prayer. In Deuteronomy 8: 17-18, Moses said, “Do not say to yourself, My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth. But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.

” Moses was warning the Israelites not to forget God in Prosperity and that they should thank God for bringing them Egypt. Finally, Christians pray for supplication. There are two types of supplication: petition and intercession. Petition means to ask for our own needs.

The Essay on Mills Of The God Prayers Grind Prayer

… an entirely different manner than was anticipated. God always answers prayers. They may be answered in ways that we could never imagine, …

to mean when God answer sprayers, even the smallest detail is taken into account. God would never answer a prayer with something … pray to God for something that is not immediately received.

Due to this fact, they lose faith in the prayer process. They think God …

Jesus said, “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Luke 11: 9).

Jesus was telling his disciples to persevere in prayer and God will give them what they ask. God invites us to ask Him to meet our needs and even our wants. Intercession is asking God for the needs of others.

It is unselfish. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2: 1, 2).

This verse tells us that God wants us to pray for others so that all may know God’s will. When we go to God in our prayers of petition or intercession, we have to be confidence in His perspective, His wisdom, His timing, and His Goodness.

“Your will be done.” We can expect the desired answer when we ask in the scope of God’s will. Prayer is not getting God to do our will; it is asking that God’s will be done in our lives.

How to Pray Christians learn to pray through Jesus Christ, who not only teaches us to pray, but also prayed himself. Jesus prayed regularly.

Jesus prayed before decisive moments, beginning with his baptism and as he faced his passion and death. He frequently prayed to give thanks.

His prayer was steady, thankful, and confident that God’s will was for his good. Jesus, Christians should pray at all times. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5: 17).

Prayer should be steady and persevering

Also, true prayer should come from the heart. Praying with a clean heart is vital to successful prayer. In addition, we must have a believing heart if we expect God to answer our prayers. Jesus says, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21: 22), and “According to your faith will it be done to you” (Matthew 9: 29).

The Essay on God’s Purpose for My Life

… be completely sure will require much more prayer and meditation. Whatever God’s plan for my life is I know I will be … the form of daily Bible reading and prayer. I to think God has given me a great mind for physiology and … To truly understand one’s purpose in life he must look at the talents God has given to him in a particular field …

However, we need to accept whatever God’s plan is for us. His answers are always right; His answers are always best.

As stated by Carey (1996), “God will always hear our-prayers of that we can be sure. But his response will not always be in accord with what we want or when we want it” (p. 367).

Also, Jesus prayed to God saying, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22: 42).

According to Barth (1985), “When we do pray, we are to avoid a certain approach. We should not be hypocrites” (p.

81).

We should be sincere and honest. Prayer is a dialogue between two who love each other-God and the individual. Therefore, we should communication with God in the same way we would with any other loved one. “We should not try to use terminology that is uncomfortable to us. We should speak in the language we find comfortable.

The language we use when in conversation with a much loved and trusted friend” (Foster, 1992).

God receives us just as we are and accepts our prayers just as they are. Why should we pray God is omniscient, He knows what we want before we ask, He gives good things before we request them. We do not pray to enlighten God. God’s purpose in prayer is not to make us sit up and beg. He wants us to know Him.

Prayer is His method to accomplish that. What changes through prayer is not the “mind” of God. What changes through prayer are we. “By recognizing the source of all of our blessings, our health, our success, our very existence, we bring ourselves to a higher spiritual level because we strengthen our relationship with Him” (Lustiger, 1987).

People often mistakenly believe that they should only pray for the “Big Things” health and life. They don’t want to bother God with small things.

God desires our prayers because He wants to bestow blessings upon us. In addition, God wants us to talk to Him about everything that is going on in our lives, even though He already knows everything.

“You will become a greater partaker of his love, faith, kindness, mercy, holiness and thoughts. You will see more and more answers to prayer; your prayer life will eventually touch all kinds of needs and circumstances all over the world.

You will find yourself in a constant state of change even though at times you feel you are not making any progress at all.

The Essay on Prayer Pray God People

… of the prayer. A prayer that comes straight from the heart is what God appreciates. We need to pray for different things in life. God tells us … our lives and thanking him when we get them and not holding a grudge when we don't. The prayer that we pray should … be the one that comes straight from our hearts. Prayer shouldn't be …

You will realize more and more that this is perhaps the greatest work that you are doing on this earth, and there comes a sense of satisfaction of being involved in it. The number of blessings for those who pray is practically endless” (Barth, 1985).

In addition, relationship is dependent on communication. Our relationship with God, or anyone, will never grow and develop without communication. Prayer should not be used only as a way of getting what we want from God; a method of solving our problems or having our needs met. The main purpose and the power of prayer are in the relationship between God and man.

Conclusion Prayer is one of the most important beliefs of Christians. Prayer helps us to develop a relationship with God. Pray keeps us connected with God.

Prayer is an intimate communication between an individual and God. There are four basic elements to prayer: worship, thanksgiving, confession and supplication.

When we pray in worship, we are praise God for being a loving, caring and great God.

We pray in thanksgiving to give thanks to God for all the blessings he has bestow on us. We pray to confess our sins to God and to ask for his forgiveness. Finally, we pray when we need or want something for ourselves or for others.

In addition, when we pray, we should follow Jesus’ example by praying at all times and praying for God’s will to be done. Also, we should have faith when we pray. We should also be comfortable and truthful in our communication with God.

The meaning and the concept of prayer have not changed. However, I don’t believe we, as Christians, pray as often as we should. Not many of us spend time in prayer. We believe in the power and importance of prayer but just don’t seem to do enough of it.

We don’t pray enough for several reasons. A few of the reasons are as follows: First, we don’t want anything. Too many of us lead satisfied, complacent lives. Other than an occasional problem or two, things go pretty well for us in our comfortable homes and churches.

We have money, houses and quite a few other material things. Why pray a lot when we got basically everything we want Second, we don’t care enough about others.

We say “Good morning” and “Have a nice day” to people at work and at church, and we commiserate with our neighbor about the yard and the weather, but that’s about as far as it goes.

We don’t care enough about others to go beyond bland superficiality, so we don’t pray for them much.

The Essay on School Prayer Pray Bible Religion

… 16, 1999 “Bible Be livers should oppose school prayer.” School Prayer. web Downloaded December 16, 1999 “The Bible and Public Prayer.” Public Prayer. web Downloaded December …

is the fact that there are some students who don't believe in God. The purpose of a democracy is to have … the reason some people feel offended by seeing these students pray.

They think that their rights are being infringed upon. …

Third, we are too busy. Whether it is because of our jobs, the kids or our social life, must of us are too busy to take time to pray. Especially since we” have basically everything we want.” In addition, some of us don’t have time to attend Church on Sundays.

How could we neglect one of the most blessed things that God has given to us How is it possible for us as Christians to go for weeks, months and maybe even years without really taking the time for prayer I believe it is because the world system has distorted our thinking.

We are more concerned with our jobs, our families or friends and our activities-our own plans, than our spirituality and prayer. However, we need to keep God central in our life.

Otherwise, we will miss His plan. Bibliography Barth, K. (1985).

Prayer.

Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press. Carey, G. (1996).

The Bible for Everyday Life. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B.

Eerdmans Publishing Company. Easton Bible Dictionary. (Online).

web Fee, G. D. & Stuart, D.

(1993).

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 2 ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. Foster, R. J.

(1992).

Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. Lustiger, J.

M. (1987).

First Steps in Prayer. New York: Doubleday. The Holy Bible.

New Revised Standard Version. (1989).

New York: American Bible Society.

Источник: //educheer.com/christians-pray-god-prayer-life/

8 Benefits of Prayer You Can’t Afford to Miss

Prayer For A Purposed-Filled Life.

“Let us come forward with boldness to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help.” – Heb. 4:16

How is your prayer life with the Lord?  If you’ve been a believer for some time, you may have realized the difficulty of building up a prayer life… and possibly even given up. And that’s really a loss because the benefits of prayer are so tremendous.

Since it’s so easy to get discouraged and give up on prayer, it’s worth considering some of the awesome benefits of prayer that make pursuing a prayer life worthwhile.

So in this post, we’ll consider eight benefits of prayer that I hope will encourage you to build up a persevering prayer life.

1. Prayer enables you to set your mind on the things above.

Colossians 3:2 says,

 “Set your mind on the things which are above, not on the things which are on the earth.”

How could we fulfill God’s word in this verse except by prayer?

Prayer is the  way to have our mind set on the things above. That’s because proper prayer elevates our mind from our earthly concerns to God’s heavenly interests.

 2. Prayer enables Christ to carry out His heavenly administration. 

The Lord’s instruction in Matthew 6:9-13 is not just a prayer to recite, but a pattern of prayer that carries out God’s administration,

 “Our Father who is in the heavens, Your name be sanctified; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth…”

When our minds are set on the things above, as we just mentioned, we’re able to respond to God’s heavenly interests and express them through our prayer.

During such times of prayer, we become a reflection of Christ’s ministry in the heavens (Rom. 8:34). What a benefit!

 3. Prayer ushers you into the Holy of Holies to receive grace. 

Another benefit of prayer is to touch the “throne of grace” to find grace for your timely help.

Hebrews 4:16 says,

“Let us therefore come forward with boldness to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help.”

What is grace? It is more than God’s unmerited favor.

Grace is “God in Christ as our supply and enjoyment, conveyed to us and realized through the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:19)”—Phil. 4:23, note 1 in the Recovery Version.

When we pray, we enter into the Holy of Holies and touch the throne of grace to enjoy the hidden Christ in our spirit.

In fact, enjoying the flowing of God’s grace in our prayer is more important than having our prayers answered.

The primary thing is that grace a river flows from the throne and into our being. Here is a refreshing hymn that expresses this benefit. You may even want to sing or declare the lyrics as a part of your prayer.

4. Prayer charges your “spiritual battery” to live the Christian life.

The Christian life is a tool or toy with a battery. Without being regularly charged, our “spiritual battery” will lack the power needed to carry out its intended functions. Our prayer is our connection to the “charging station.”

When we pray, our “spiritual battery” is charged with the heavenly current. This heavenly current, this divine electricity, is the Triune God Himself as grace flowing from the throne—the “heavenly power plant”—into us.

Revelation 22:1 says,

“And He showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding the throne of God and of the Lamb…”

This divine, flowing river proceeding from God’s throne supplies the power to charge us whenever we pray.

5. Prayer brings you into fellowship with the Lord. 

Prayer is the contact of our spirit with God’s spirit.  John 4:24 says,

 “God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit…”

It’s by such God-contacting prayer that we enter into fellowship with the Lord and become conscious of the fact that we are really one spirit with Him and that He is actually one spirit with us (1 Cor. 6:17). This also is a tremendous benefit!

Here is a post with practical points on how to pray to fellowship with the Lord and an enriching hymn to strengthen this point.

6. Prayer renews you for the new man.

Ephesians 4:23-24 says,

“And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man…”

This means that whenever we contact the Lord as the Spirit with our spirit through prayer, this spirit spreads into our mind for our renewing. In such a way we are being renewed for the new man.

This new man is Christ’s Body today and will become the New Jerusalem for eternity (Rev. 21:2). How wonderful that we can be renewed for the new man by our prayer. What a benefit!

7. Prayer lets the peace of Christ arbitrate in your heart.

Colossians 3:15 says,

“And let the peace of Christ arbitrate in your hearts, to which also you were called in one Body, and be thankful.”

This kind of peace isn’t just freedom from worry, but the peace between different peoples. How can we, as believers, let the peace of Christ arbitrate in all our relationships with people, especially other believers that are different from us. It’s only by our prayer.

When we pray, Christ will become the real umpire, ruler, and decider in everything. The main “call” our “Umpire” makes is “you’re wrong! Repent. Confess and say you’re sorry.”

Such prayer preserves the peace in our marriage life, family life, Christian life and church life. This arbitrating peace is a great benefit of prayer!

8. Prayer allows the word of Christ to dwell in you richly

Colossians  3:16 says,

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” 

But how?  One of the greatest discoveries of my Christian life was learning how to receive God’s word in the Bible by means of prayer, that is, pray-reading it.

By pray-reading, you not only gain some mental understanding from the Bible, but you’re nourished with life element in God’s Word. God’s words become “spirit and life” to you (John 6:63).

Don’t just take my word for it. Here are 12 tips on how to pray-read the Word of God to be spiritually nourished.

Try it! See if you don’t say with the prophet Jeremiah, “Your word became to me the gladness and joy of my heart”  (Jer. 15:16). This is a most wonderful benefit of prayer!

In a following post, I’ll go on the consider some practical tips on how to build up such a persevering prayer life.

Have you been encouraged by these eight benefits of prayer? If so, please take a moment share the post, add a comment, or join the conversation on the Holding to Truth Page.

References and Further Reading:

Источник: //holdingtotruth.com/2014/06/22/benefits-of-prayer/

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