40 Days Of Prayer - Monday, May 27 - Devotion 6

What is Prayer
Sunday's message

1.     Prayer is drawing near to God
James 4:8-10  8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Hebrews 10:19-23 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

2.     Prayer is calling unto God
Psalm 145:18-19 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

Joel 2:32 All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

3.     Prayer is listening to God
It may be that one of our great faults in prayer is that we talk too much and listen too little. When prayer is at its highest, we wait in for God's voice.

John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." Do you hear God's voice? When was the last time you heard God speak to you?

When was the last time you personally heard from God? I don’t mean in a vague, distant way; I mean personally? Do you hear the Lord speak to you? This should be commonplace in our lives in Christ when we pray. Listening to the Lord is completely linked with what Prayer is and its effect in our lives.

 So, how can we discipline ourselves to hear the voice of God? Consider these practical tips:

• Plan ahead. Restructure your schedule so you can spend uninterrupted time with God. Find a quiet place and bring along your Bible, notebook, and pen. Maybe you enjoy worshipping with music and would like to use your favorite worship music.

• Prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. It is essential that you come to God with a pure heart, righteous motives, and a desire to hear from Him. Spend time confessing sin and receiving God's forgiveness.

• Spend time in prayer, worship, Bible reading, and meditation on God's Word. As you read God's Word, ask Him to speak to you. God speaks to His children through His written Word.

• Wait expectantly. This is not a time to zone out or think of the activities for later in the day. Feel free to ask Him questions and then await His answer.  Write down what you hear from God or any direction you receive about a certain issue.

• Obey whatever God tells you to do.

• Continue your time of waiting on God throughout the day. Always be listening for His voice.

In Christ, Bryan