PRAYING WORKS!

By Rick Mathes

Acts 1:14 (NASB77) ¹⁴  These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

What a thrill it would have been to have lived in that time and experienced how the Primitive Church gathered and prayed. I was asked by an elder once, “How can you tell if someone is really a Christian?” My answer was, “I can tell by how they pray.” Here are a few examples.

Childlike: The Word teaches that we are to be like little children or we will never see the Kingdom of God. Simple prayer is short and obvious.

Respectful: There’ no place for pontificating except if you are a blow-hard politician hearing yourself pray a masterpiece of eloquence for all to admire and applaud is not mature nor respectful of those you are praying with or to, praying about and to whom you are praying to.

Expectant: Don’t pray a prayer except one that glorifies, edifies and honors our Lord. When you do you can expect a favorable answer.

Submissive: Who are we the painting demanding anything from the painter! How silly can it get to praying in authority of the author of prayer? Arrogance and pride are the envelopes for your prayers mailed into the glares of dishonoring attitudes that lack gratitude.

Reliant: Fox-hole prayer meetings are certainly useful when you are under heavy fire It’s when everything is doing good that you need to double or more your prayer times. The closer your heart, mind and soul are drawn to your commitment to Christ the more the demons will gather around you and all hell breaks loose when your heart heats with His. We need more prayer when things are good instead of bad.

Penitent: The words “forgive me for offending you Jesus” makes the heavens explode in cheers and applause that would drown out the noise of a super-bowl half-time.

The heavens rejoice in victory and true worship when you step into the Holy of Holies and praise the Creator. He created us in His image and likeness so that we must enjoy Him for whom and what He is. That’s all He expects in return just having a loving relationship with us. Let’s pray right now, ok?