WRITTEN BY MICHELE HANSEN
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Based on Revelation 19:6-8, this year we are exploring how the Believer’s righteous acts cover us in Christ’s righteousness and represent our Savior to the world.
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Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16, ESV)
Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)
When I started thinking about this theme, I was overwhelmed by the verses that came to mind, and I had to pray that the Lord would “hold my horses” because I was off to the races.
I know many people have a favorite number, favorite verse, favorite memory, favorite whatever…my favorite number is 3. It’s my birthday number, it’s the cord of three strands, it’s the triune God…and through the years, when the time on the clock turns 3:33, I always stop and pray.
God has special things He does with each one of His children when we make ourselves available to Him. In the uniqueness of our creator God and in the unique way He has created each of us, with practice and a willing heart, we become that conduit for His promptings to pray…and it is magnificent.
Prayer is as simple as talking to the best friend you have ever had, even though He is much, much more than a “best friend”. Through the righteousness that has been purchased for us through Christ, we can come to Him for anything. Although God is not a “genie in a bottle” that gives us whatever we want if we just act right and do the right things. Through the redemptive process of Christ and the sanctification process of the Holy Spirit, we become more and more attuned to the Heart of the Father and then pray prayers according to His will.
When the verse in James 5:16 above speaks of praying for ourselves and for others, it specifically hinges on righteousness. Even though God knows exactly what’s going on in and around us, He still limits Himself to the cooperative relationship between Him and His righteous Bride. He calls us into relationship through the amazing reality and privilege of prayer.
We are told that we can come boldly before the throne and we are heard, not on our merit, but because of the imputed righteousness of Christ (Hebrews 4:16). We are “dressed in Jesus”. (Isaiah 61:10). So, we can come, warts and all, because God sees His Son, not our stuff. What an amazing gift we have been given.
What kind of prayers does one pray? All kinds, according to Ephesians 6:18. We are to pray in the Spirit, at all times, with all kinds of prayers. Nothing is too small or too big…ever. We can ask for wisdom, which is given without finding fault and He gives it liberally (according to James1:5). We can pray for healing and for His promises and for the attributes of God to manifest in our life. We can come to Him for comfort, reassurance and to praise and adore Him.
One thing I hear a lot is, “I don’t pray like So-n-so” or “I don’t think God is listening” or “I don’t think I pray right.” Those are lies from the pit. Our relationship with Him is as unique as our fingerprints. How I speak with Him is different from anyone else…not wrong, just different. He loves to have that one on one, personal conversation with His children.
Jesus disciples even asked Jesus to teach them to pray…and He did…Matthew 6:9-13 tells us that Jesus taught His disciples to pray this way,
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, (Honor God above all things – praise and worship)
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. (Submission to His authority)
Give us today our daily bread. (Ask for provision. He is a generous God)
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Granting, receiving and resting in forgiveness)
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.” (Asking for protection)
While not an exhaustive list, it is a solid format for prayer. When we pray to God, it’s not as if we are telling Him something He doesn’t know, but it is so we can come into deeper fellowship with Him and receive His perfect perspective.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are awesome, holy, wonderful, Almighty God. We thank You, Father, for all that You have done for us, and we pray that we would hear Your still, small and storm stopping voice. We pray that we would cooperate with Holy Spirit and be obedient to respond to Your direction. We pray that You would see us, see our hearts, know our needs, hear our hearts cry and provide perfectly in Your will and timing. We pray You would search our hearts, show us where we need to repent and where we are holding unforgiveness in our souls. We pray for the courage to walk with You through the hard things in our lives, with others and rest in Your protection and provision. Use us to further your Kingdom and joyfully wait for You to move…move mightily Lord…may Your Kingdom come.
In Jesus Name.
