If you’re like me, I have good intentions in my praying. There are circumstances and people that are usually mentioned to God. I ask him for blessings for myself and others. I ask for healing and deliverance for other people. However, I have come to realize that praying is more than saying a list of words to God. It is so easy to rattle off what I have said already so many times before. Allow me to give some examples of people in the Bible that offer true elements of biblical prayer. Let us learn from those who prayed in Scripture whether it be a formal prayer or calling out to Jesus as he journeyed in his ministry.
Matthew 9: 20: a woman was healed when she touched the hem of his garment. She expected an answer. How often do we say our prayers yet, they are the only phrases without expectation for the results! We learn from this woman that praying to God has significant potential. As we seek the Almighty, so do our prayers have potential if we consider what we say God hears, what motivates God to respond. We pray for results. We should expect results because God loves us.
Matthew 20:32 in this Scripture two men appeal to Jesus that he might heal them from their blindness. Their situation tells us that we must recognize we are talking directly to God. Three times they referred to him as Lord. Also, they teach us that our prayers should be specific. When asked by Jesus what they wanted, they said to be healed of their blindness. Unfortunately, we at times ask for God to bless others without explaining what bless means for them.
Mark 1: 40: as Jesus was performing his ministry, a man who is afflicted with leprosy saw him, knelt down before him, and recognized his power. He said, “If thou wilt, thou can make me clean.” Only the God of power, only the God of authority can do such a thing. As we pray, it is very important to be obsessed by the power of God whom we beseech for the answers to our prayers.
Luke 18:10: the parable Jesus spoke was about two men one of whom was a self-righteous Pharisee and the other who was a publican conscious of his need for mercy from God. The words in the artificial prayer of the Pharisee meant nothing. The words of the publican were significant to God because he realized it was a privilege to approach the throne of God. He was aware of his sinful nature. He was aware that only God could make a difference in his life. Let us be aware of ourselves that we can only approach God humbly. It is his mercy that makes a difference in our lives. Therefore, let us do so as we pray, for God’s mercy is the reason he will hear our prayers.
To summarize these elements of prayer, we must do so expecting (not demanding) that God will hear our prayers, and an answer will result. We are praying to the Creator of all that is. We have clear thoughts in our minds for what to ask Jesus because he is all-powerful. Our prayers are such that we have the privilege of talking humbly to the only one that can answer our needs.
Christian Writer 