Praying Differently

Everyone has prayed at least once in their lifetime. Prayer can be offered by religious and non-religious people, atheists, and believers in God. Prayer can be a wish for some and a long shopping list for others. There may be prayers uttered by many with anger, depression, grief, joy, anxiety, and fears. But the prayer of a true Christian is different and is offered differently than any other prayers. Let us discover the following essentials of Christian prayer and may we be effective in our prayer life.

1. The Call for Prayer (Matthew 26:41). The followers of Christ are called and challenged to pray. The Lord Jesus Himself showed them an example and persuaded His disciples to be watchful and serious in their prayers. The Gospels record the various occasions Jesus Himself set part-time and space to commune with the Heavenly Father. The true follower of Christ cannot progress without prayer and constant communication through the channel of prayer. We are called to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Our prayers are different in that we are called to pray with understanding and in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14;15; Ephesians 6:18). Prayer is the vital breath of a Christian.
2. The Content of Prayer (Daniel 9:3-19). The difference-making prayer is marked by its contents. In other words, what do we ask God in prayer? A believer’s prayer should be different from other casual, ceremonial, and religious prayers. There are prayers that contain selfish plans and motives that are directed towards a particular group or individual. Daniel in the Old Testament has almost spent a lengthy chapter to explain and describe in detail what he had asked God in prayer. There we read of repentance, confession, asking God for forgiveness, restoration, vindication, the glory of God, and such matters in detail.  May our prayers be patterned as Daniel and other saints of God in the Holy Scriptures?
3. The Conditions of Prayer (2 Chronicles 7:14). God answers prayers, and especially those prayers offered to Him according to His Word. God spoke to Solomon after the dedication of the temple and assured him of this: “ If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” God is a covenant-keeping God and He expects His people to abide by the Word and the conditions he has given in His Word. Many prayers are unanswered and are not counted as prayers because they are not different from any other repetitive rituals. Let us be different in our prayers and always be conditioned by the obedience of the Word and the will of God.
4. The Congregation in Prayer (Acts 12:5). There are some who may not be happy or comfortable in praying as a community and with the congregation. As much as personal prayer is vital for our spiritual growth and Kingdom advancement, the Scriptures have a great emphasis on praying together. United prayers with one heart and spirit are no match for the destructive devices of the enemy. While Peter the Apostle was arrested and kept in prison, the Church in Jerusalem prayed earnestly and the Lord responded to their congregational prayer by opening the prison doors and setting him free to continue the mission of the Church. Raising our voices together in prayer in one place and with one accord can make differences in the persons of prayer and the place of prayer ( Acts 4:23-31)
5. The Custom of Prayer (Daniel 6:10). This is the norm and the practice of Christians who consciously meet with the Lord in prayer. This has nothing to do with a regular ritual or observance as a show to others. Daniel had a habit of prayer, even while he was in a pagan nation, Babylon. His position in the government or his privileges and duties at the King’s palace did not deter him from praying to his God. He had to face a threat from his colleagues at work, due to his devotion to the God of Israel. The jealous-filled people manipulated the king to make everyone pray to him instead of to the living God. But Daniel was not shaken when he heard that those who do not pray to the king will be thrown into the lion’s den. As his custom was, he “went to his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times, and prayed and gave thanks before his God as was his custom since early days.”. A different prayer will not be delayed or dissuaded by the uncertain and fearful circumstances. Make a difference by praying to God in your difficulties and let your custom of prayer continue in critical times. The lion will have no appetite for you.

Dear brothers and sisters, are you ready to pray differently to make a difference in your own life and others around you? How will you be different in your prayer life from now on?

God bless.

Pastor Joe Kurian