True Prayer

Prayer is the pathway to the throne. It’s very life line to God. The primary opposition to pray apart from our flesh is Satan who will stop at nothing to silence us from speaking and hearing from God.

The enemy will use any means to distract and derail us so we don't pray true meaningful prayers. Do you know all of hell trembles when you call out to Him with an honest and sincere heart? God visit me in this difficult hour! God go to the depths of my heart and examine me! See if there is any controversy in my heart and change me from the inside out! (Psalms 26:2). No part dark! Get the mixture and unbelief out of my heart!

First, let’s look at what true prayer is not.

Prayer is not a constant stream of rambling words. Jesus warns us against this type of prayer in Matthew 6:7. In the original it means to blubber nonsensical repetitions; to chatter (be "long-winded"), using empty (vain) words. In other words, true prayer is not all about our needs, wants and desires. Often these prayers are manipulative and selfish rather than seeking first His kingdom and His interests.

Prayer is not making promises and vows. Proverbs 20:25 says in the New Living Translation “Don't trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.” For those who pray like this fall into a cycle of sin and confession. Over and over again we say we are sorry and that we’ll do better. Only we become frustrated at the lack of progress and wonder why God is not hearing us.

Prayer is not punching in the clock. There is an attitude that prayer is some stifling duty which requires my time and attention. No, beloved, we must pray for those who are dying and perishing. It’s a privilege and honor to pray! Lamentations 2:19 says, “Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children that faint for hunger in the top of every street.” (KJV)

Prayer only offered in times of crisis or failure. There’s a common cycle among believers where we tend to pray more in times of difficulty and crisis and then go completely silent when all is well only to resume praying when confronted by another crisis. We move from glory to glory not crisis to crisis! Beloved, this is not the hour to have prayer be sparse or inconsistent. Isaiah warns, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” (Isaiah 26:20, KJV).

So what is true prayer?

True prayer is ministering to the Lord by rehearsing His Word back to Him in a meaningful dialogue. We all pray differently because of life experiences, our different personality types and manner in which we pray but it doesn't make it any less true ministry to Lord. True prayer is a call and response to the Spirit who intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26).

In the night, LORD, I remember your name, that I may keep your law. (Psalms 119:55, NIV).