PRAYER- How? Why? What?

 Prayer- tephillâhe (107x KJV)

Pray- proseuchomai (306x KJV)

(Matthew 5:44) "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

Not easy words to swallow, and our sin nature is contrary to what Jesus taught us. Which, in turn proves His point even moreso why we need Jesus, and most importantly the Holy Spirit's fruits within us to actually pray for those kind of people. It is hard. Jesus said deny self, pick up our crosses, and follow HIM. Prayer and fasting- Jesus rebuked many demons, one of which could only be cast out by prayer and fasting. These are deep strongholds in people's lives whether through their generation or in the family- these are adultrey, lust, pride, witchcraft, idolatry. 

(Matthew 6:6) "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly...)

Here's my PRAYER CLOSET for inspo! 

(Matthew 6:9-13) "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thing is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

^^Proper addressment of WHO you are praying to. Vain repitition and babbling is not praying in the Holy Spirit... think about praying is equivalent to working out for your body. In body building, you have to connect your mind to the muscle you are building to properly exercise it. Same way with your faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. You want to always build upon your prayers and time with the Lord. Prayer exercises the supernatural and spirital aspect of worshipping God. He is omniscient and only the Lord Jesus knows everything, all the time, and all at once. The Bible says our "heavenly Father knows what we need" even before we ask of it. That is the deepest level of trust you can even attain. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to TRUST in the Lord with all of our hearts.

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and makes intercession for us while praying; which means that if we don't know what to say when we go in prayer, the Holy Spirit will guide us into what to say. (Romans 8:26)

Pray, for what?

Jesus not only taught His disciples to pray starting with the "Lord's prayer", but He has set forth many commands to pray for throughout scripture.

1.) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem- Psalm 122:6

2.) "Everyone that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found." Ps. 32:6

3.) Pray for the Lord's mercy and kindness upon you- Ps. 119:76

4.) Protection- Ps. 23 & 91

5.) Protection- Full Armor of God- Ephesians 6:10-18

6.) Jeremiah 29:12- "Then ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you:"

7.) (Matthew 9:38) "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers unto his harvest."

8.) Pray to not enter into temptation (Matthew 26:41)

9.) Pray, and believe ye have received your prayers, and ye shall have them (Mark 11:24).

10.) Watch, pray, and wait for Jesus (Mark 13:33)

11.) Always pray, and not faint (Luke 18:1)

12.) Pray to do no evil (2 Corinthians 13:7)

13.) Pray for knowledge and judgment (Philippians 1:9)

14.) (Colossians 1:9) Pray for the will of God to be revealed, knowledge, widsom, and revelation of Jesus Christ

15.) Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

16.) Pray for the apostles and the brethren (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

17.) Pray for God to count you worthy of your calling, and to fulfill all the good pleasures of His goodness (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

18.) Pray for the word of the Lord to have free course and be glorified (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

19.) Pray with hands lifted without wrath and doubting (1 Timothy 2:8)

20.) Pray if you are afflicted, sick, or merry (James 5:13-14)

21.) Confess your faults, and pray for one another, and that ye may also be healed (James 5:16)

22.) Pray for the poor, needy, and always remember those in prison (Pr. 31)

If you like to talk a lot to people, use that time and energy to talk to the Lord Jesus Christ. He has boldly entered into the Holy Place behind the veil; and it is his blood atonement for our sins that made this possible. Because of what Jesus Christ did for us, that allows mankind to "come to Jesus" as we are, broken sinners (our identity in Christ Jesus is a saint!). We don't clean ourselves up and then go to Jesus, because then who really gets the glory?

We must always give thanks to Jesus for everything He has done, as that is His will for us in Him. Another level of prayers, would be intercessory prayers and supplications.

Intercessions- enteuxis- coming together, petition

Supplications - deēsis - a seeking, asking, entreating to God

(1 Timothy 2:1) "I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men."

Relaying the stories of scripture, they were ALL real people! Just like you and I- except one who is Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour- only Jesus was and is perfect. Elijah prayed earnestly and it did not rain for 3.5 years!

Revelation tells us to pray for eye salve so that we may see, gold tried by the fire, and white raiment so that our nakedness isn't shown. Pray for the lost. Pray for the fullness of the Gentiles. Pray for the blessing of the gospel-pray for your family members, your neighbors, your bosses and co-workers to be blessed, and for all to come to the knowledge of the truth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Oh yeah.. 

and do this all in JESUS CHRIST name... for there is no other name under heaven by which any can be saved. John 14:13 tells us "whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." ^^ must pray according to His will. 

❤✨💖