Purposeful Prayer

Prayer is deathless. God has shaped the world through purposeful prayer from believing hearts. Soulful petitions united by faith continually appear before the Throne-of-Grace. Prayer has always been a living presence before God. He has never been an absentee Father. Rather whispered or silent our supplications ascend to God's ear through Jesus, our High Priest.

Jesus has always known our hearts desire and has pledged to present our petitions to God. The administration of God's kingdom is beyond human understanding (Jeremiah 32:17). What is not beyond understanding is... He has always been with us (Hebrew 1:3).

Pondering:

If life is a chain-of-events and God is in control, why do we feel like a weak-link? Sometimes the mind cannot form the desperate words needed as we fall before the feet of Jesus. We are powerless to express what we are going through. Why are we mute when we need to pray and seek God's comforting presence? What purpose is there in prayer if we cannot find words to express or get answers?

Listen to what God said to Daniel through the Archangel... whose face flashed like lightning.

"Then he said, don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer" (April 23, 536 B.C., Daniel 10:12NLB)

Coaching:

Our High Priest reaches into the essence of our soul to uncover what we cannot recognize or verbalize in prayer. Such prayer continues to live in God's kingdom beyond the barrier of time or our inability to express such hurt. When we arrive at utter helplessness, free from selfish motives, undiluted by pride, humble prayer in simple faith releases the heart and soul. A vast inheritance pours down on the faithful who wait on His purpose, and  timing.

The timeless story of Daniel's humble prayer ( Daniel 10) is breathtaking; read it. You will love it. God has never forgotten a single cry of hopelessness nor does our voice-to-God collapse into extinction. Our prayer and worship stood before the unchanging face of God before we existed. He hears all, and answers all prayer.

God is everywhere present at all times (Omnipresence - Jeremiah 23:24; Psalms 139:7) meaning He is there with us when we pray. He knows everything actual and possible about us (Omniscience - Acts 15:18) meaning He has always known our requests, and all possible results. When unable to express unrest, our High Priest reaches beneath pain bringing before the Father what we are unable to identify or address with words.

Lazarus was near death. Martha and Mary sent a message begging Jesus to come quickly. They mourned unable to comprehend His purpose for delaying. God's purpose has always been to reveal Jesus' divine power over life, death, and resurrection (John 11). Paul asked God to remove the thorn (an unknown torment) in his flesh. God's answer has always been to bless us with abundant grace in order to endure the thorns, and depend on Him (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). God knew the educated, intellectual, Apostle Paul, would be prideful if He removed the thorn.

Women who understand the magnitude of prayer are God's deputies. God is not a shifting shadow He never changes (Immutability Malachi 3:6-7; James 1:17-18). Therefore, His promises and blessings never change.

Three Principles of Prayer:

• Decision - free will (2 Corinthians 5:15-21)
• Determination - Principles and conscience (James 1:5-7)
• Desire - Spiritual craving (Ephesians 6:18; Hebrews 12:23-29)

Purposeful prayer has always required the simple faith in believing that God is; therefore, He answers prayer. A good friend, Jackie, taught me that... "Scars are thicker than tissue." Jesus understands scars. As the Great Physician, He specializes in deep-wound treatment. God heals soulful-wounds through scar-filled, strength-building prayer. He changes thick scars into mighty strengths, as we become warriors of wisdom, fighters through faith, and we pray with purpose.

Those who pray, experience the rich incense of prayer as calming and satisfying to the soul... before God answers prayer. The satisfying calm is a promise sweeter than honey, and more precious than gold to the faithful. Because of Christ's Righteousness, His noble work continues (1 Peter 2:24) through prayer. His absolute Justice (Isaiah 1:16-20) has always prevailed through blessing churches that pray, and judgment to those that do not love righteousness.

Scriptures on Prayer:

• Morning and evening (Psalms 88:1)
• Without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17)
• God's rest (Hebrews 4)
• For others (Daniel 9:20-23)
• In adversity (Psalms 118:5; 138:3)

Examples of Prayer:

• Psalms 5:1-3,42:8,109:4,116:2; Luke 2:37; Acts 6:4,10:2 & 9; Romans 1:9,12:12; Ephesians 1:15,16:1; 1Thessalonians 3:10; 1Timothy 5:5; 2Timothy 1:3.

Challenge:

I challenge you to create time alone with God for confession, worship, intercession, and petition. God will shape you with rich incense to calm and satisfy through... purposeful prayer.