It is pertinent we examine the Purpose, Plan and Provision of Prayer in ensuring we have a clear understanding of how to pray like Jesus. Prayer should not be seen as a laborious exercise or a ritualistic routine which serves as a quick fix in times of crisis. Our Lord Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. This means there is a need to walk in revelation knowledge of the How of Prayer. Having a good understanding of the how of prayer will also make us know the how not to approach prayer.
The purpose of Prayer is for spiritual intimacy in order to live the full life of who we are in Christ Jesus. Luke 11:2a ‘And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Jesus told His disciples, ‘ when you pray’ not if you pray. Prayer should not be relegated to secondary placement in our lives. He wants us to know about our identity in Him by learning of Him. To know who we are and whose we are. The process of finding ones identity involves: information on lineage, culture, lifestyle, mode of communication etc. Our Father connotes a bloodline relationship. We have been engrafted into the family of God through the blood of Jesus. The bible says the life of a thing is in its blood; hallelujah, we have the privilege to call Him Father. The scriptures declare we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but that of Adoption where we call Him Abba Father. The father wants to teach us about the importance of friendship in a family. The father doesn’t want us to grow apart from Him; hence He wants our relationship in prayer to be a time of communion, bonding, fellowship, dialogue and not us speaking at Him in monologues with no opportunity for Him to commune with us. He wants us to relate to him first as our Father who is close enough to relate with us and then our God who is powerful enough to do all things.
The plan of God for us in Prayer is for us to establish His will in our lives through the establishment of His kingdom. ‘Thy kingdom come, your will be done, as in heaven, so in earth’ (Luke 11:2b). The bible declares His plan for us is good and not evil to give us a hope and a future. He wants our lives to be as heaven on earth. For us to understand His kingdom coming in our lives, we must understand what the kingdom of God is. Jesus spoke in parables about the kingdom of God severally to his disciples. In Mark 4:30-32, the kingdom of God is compared to a grain of mustard seed which is the smallest of all seeds but has the capacity to become larger than all the shrubs when it is sown. God wants the insignificance in us to become significant. He desires that the message of the gospel will spread across the entire universe through us. Our potential is revealed in the place of prayer in His presence.
The bible declares we should seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and other things would be added to us. Indeed Provision follows the establishment of His Kingdom in our lives.
God has made available divine provision for us when we pray. Provision is from proviso which means to look ahead, providing before hand, foresight, preparation, supply. When prayer become only asking, it is because of the lack of understanding God has already made available provision for all our needs. There was already supernatural provision in the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, all Jesus did was give thanks and the power of provision was made manifest. We have the provision for our needs, escape from temptations and the receiving of the forgiveness of sins. We are to ask in order to receive, flee all forms and appearance of evil and forgive those who sin against us so that we can also benefit from the provision that is available to us.
There is no need to seek a convenient time or place to pray, our bodies is the temple of the Holy Spirit, Pray like Jesus because you carry Him within you.
Pray as you go!
For further Study
Mark 4:30-32,
Personal declaration for the day
Father I know you love me and I know you care for me always providing for my needs. From now onward, I will spend my time of (prayer) conversation with you like a son or daughter spends intimate and enjoyable time with a loving father.
Questions for you to reflect on
What is the purpose of Prayer?
Do you have a prayer plan?
Comments & Testimonials