Develop & Cultivate a Life of Prayer - by Mary Llewellyn.
What is Prayer? What is the difference between Prayer and Meditation? As a Christian, why is important to pray? As a new believer, where do I start?
New Believers questions about prayer
These questions are often asked by new believers of Jesus Christ.In today’s world, there is some much information regarding prayer.I would like to approach the topic by clarifying the definition of prayer and explaining the difference between prayer and meditation.Hopefully, this information
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name". Psalm 100:4 (NASB),
What is prayer?
Let’s explore the definition of the word “Prayer”. In Webster Dictionary, one definition is “a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.”
As it says in the Bible, as the definition states, prayer is an expression of thanks and/or solemn request. In many ways, prayer is our daily dialogue with God. We expressing our thanks and gratitude to God and bringing petitions.
Part of God’s dialogue with us is to gives us instructions, wisdom and insight for the day thru the word of God and his voice. The bible is God’s way of showing us his nature, character and attributes. The more we read the bible the more we get to know God.
The beginning of your prayer journey
A good habit to create when starting your prayer journey is to pray the word of God. You can start by giving thanks to God I Chronicles 16:34, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Continue with confession of sins, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. Then bring your prayer requests, Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. Finally, end the prayer with praise and thanksgiving, Psalm 69:30, “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving”.
This process can help you memorize the bible through individual verses. Remember, this journey is a marathon not a sprint. With daily prayer and reading of the Bible, your relationship with God will grow.
Meditation
What is the difference between prayer and meditation? The Webster’s dictionary definition of meditation from a Christian point of view is the process of deliberately focusing on specific thoughts (such as a Bible passage), and reflecting on their meaning in the context of the love of God.
When we read and focus on a Bible verse, we can ask God for revelation on that verse as it pertains for us. As prayer is a dialogue, giving thanks, bringing our requests and listening for His voice is part of the process. The act of meditating on a bible verse allows us to engage in the study of God’s word. We get to experience God as a teacher through His word. Therefore, we experience interaction with God on a different level. In fact, God honors your study time.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV).
Why is prayer so important?
Prayer time helps us develop our relationship with our creator, God. It keeps us in tune with God and his intentions towards us. It is God’s opportunity to direct/guide us during our day. As we grow with God, we get to know Him through His word, and He gets to know us. God also wants us to know what is on His heart. That is all part of the daily dialogue.
For Questions and Comments
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Resources
10 times prayer changes people lives.
Smith Wigglesworth: On Prayer, Power and Miracles – Compiled by Roberts Liardon