Prayer – God’s Avenue Of Relationship With Us

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. INTRODUCTION: One of the main needs we have as believers is a real, interactive relationship with the Lord. The Lord views prayer as a way of creating a relationship with each of us. Unfortunately, a lot of the teaching on prayer does not give enough emphasis to God's desire for the relationship, so prayers reduce down to our own personal needs. There is nothing wrong with seeking God for our needs; prayer is really an opportunity to expand beyond that. SHOW NOTES: We need to seek a relationship with the Lord, if we want to truly be able to talk with Him, You can have a connection, as with a father, where you can present a situation before Him in order to learn what is His perfect will in that situation. Reciting the Lord's Prayer can be a very effective way of praying, if done thoughtfully as in worship. As we mature in our relationship with the Lord, our prayers can be led by the Holy Spirit to pray more for others and the kingdom of God. QUOTATIONS: The Lord answers us when we seek Him...as we listen for His voice. People think that prayer has everything to do with receiving something from God, and I don't think that's the truth....I think prayer actually is an avenue of creating a deeper relationship with you and Him. The whole prayer that Christ taught isn't all about you or about you receiving; it's basically worship to the Lord, creating a relationship with Him, then you receive. As you develop your relationship with Him, you find out you don't have to ask for things because He already knows what you need before you even ask. I think our prayers change too. They get off the self-centered prayers and they begin to pray for your brothers, your sisters, for His kingdom, for things that He, the Holy Spirit, leads you to pray for. As we approach God in prayer, Number One, we submit our hearts to Him, we give Him our hearts, Think about how Jesus prayed in the garden: He absolutely had a relationship with the Father and when He was praying, He said,” Is there another way, Father” He had enough of a relationship that He could say, “dad, I know that's what You want Me to do, but is there another way? Nevertheless, not what I will, not what I want.” Sometimes He says “no” and are we willing to accept the no? Are we willing to accept His perfect will in our lives? It's really all about the relationship. That's where it starts. And all the steps you take in between when you first started giving God praise and worship and entering into His courts to pray. That relationship ends up with the joy. REFERENCES: Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. Psalm 118:5 From my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in as large place. John 16:24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. Matthew 6:9-13 “Pray then in this way: 'Our Father, Who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen) James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective payer of a righteous man can accomplish much. SUMMARY: When you have a relationship with the Lord, you talk to Him. We have the promise that Christ is standing at the door of our hearts, knocking, if we respond and open up to Him, He will relate with us. Now is the time to ask, to seek and to find Him. Our prayers go to Him to get that deeper relationship with Him.