petals of wisdom, hope, inspiration, and truth by Keitha
Parton
What Is a Prayer?
As a child growing up, I always heard the terms, “pray about it, talk to God in prayer,
let’s all pray, or there is power in prayer.” Recently I started to ponder the word pray
and the action of prayer. What does the term really mean?
I know from experience that it is carrying my concerns, thoughts, or feelings to Christ by
talking to him. I also know that many scriptures in the Bible speak of the power of prayer;
however, how could one explain what prayer is to a nonbeliever? When put on the spot,
would we as Christians really know what to say, or how to describe what this powerful
gift from God truly is?
To find the answer to this question, I sought the answer in the most logical place…my
Bible. There are numerous passages in scripture that tell us to pray. Prayer is defined in
the Bible as:
1. A lifting up our soul to God: Psalms 25:1; 143:8
2. A pouring out our heart to God: Psalms 62:8
3. A crying out to God: Psalms 86:3
4. Spiritual incense to God: Revelations 5:8
5. Coming before the throne of grace: Psalms 84:1-2; Hebrews 4:16
6. Prayer is a spiritual sacrifice and the fruit of our lips: Hebrews 13:15
7. Drawing close to God in friendship, fellowship and trust: James 4:8
Christian theorist and scientist, Blaise Pascal wrote, “The heart has its reasons of which
reason knows nothing…” He proposed that prayer has its reason, and I agree. Prayer is
an act of obedience. God calls us to pray and we must respond because, if we do not, then
how can we truly develop a close relationship with Him and know truly what He has
chosen for our lives.
The very act of prayer permits us as Christians to worship and praise our Lord. It allows
us to admit our sins, which opens the door for our soul to seek genuine repentance.
The very act of prayer grants us as human beings the
opportunity to present our desires to a loving God who cares
for us and wants to guide our path.
God is personal, He cares for us deeply, and wants to commune
with us through the quiet act of sincerely talking to Him in the
act of prayer…give it a try, do it often, and watch your
relationship with Him grow.
learn more about Keitha at Tuckasegee Country Living and Keitha Parton-Official Mary Kay Consultant
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