Most Christians readily agree that prayer is something they should do. Those who pray usually say they should pray more. Many acknowledge a desire to pray but cite their lack of time or lack of ability as reasons for their prayerlessness.
When people say they don’t have time to pray or they don’t know how to pray, it is clear that they don’t understand what prayer is or the far-reaching power available when you pray. There is nothing more precious than a private meeting with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You can learn to talk with God – one spirit being to another.
But what is prayer in reality? Simply put, prayer is talking with God. Prayer is communication with the Supreme Being who has promised to show you things to come. (John 16:13.) Prayer is a privilege that releases the promises of God to become reality in the life of the one praying and in the lives of those for who you are praying.
Your prayers are limited only by the promises of God, and He has given you great and exceeding promises. Your confidence in God increases as you become rooted in knowing Him and His will. To know Him is to love Him with you whole heart, soul and mind.
The Holy Spirit was waiting for me to ask for help, and He was faithful to give me a simple answer. I reached for Prayers That Avail Much® and began to pray those powerful Scriptural prayers that I had written years before. I came to the Master with all my imperfections, fell down at His feet and prayed the way He had taught me to pray so long ago. I offered His words back to Him.
God wants you to come to Him in prayer just as you are. Effectual prayer is learned by praying. As you talk with God, you develop a love relationship with the Creator of the universe. He knew you before the world began, and He loves you unconditionally. You return this all encompassing love back to Him with thanksgiving. As you practice prayer, your desire grows to know more of God. That desire to know Him is a response to His calling you to a higher plane and deeper depths.
What is prayer? E. M. Bounds wrote:
Prayer is a divine arrangement in the moral government of God, designed for the benefit of men, intended as a means for furthering the interest of His cause on earth, and carrying out His gracious purposes in redemption and providence.
It amazes me that God involves mankind in His affairs. I like to think of prayer as a conversation between God and man. God has spoken in words that you can read, and He sent a Teacher to give you spiritual understanding.
The Bible is God’s speaking His message of love to His children. In this manner, He shares Himself with you so you can become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him. He is not only the Author of the Bible, but He is the Hero of the Bible, and your identity is in Him through Christ Jesus the Lord. When you share your thoughts and yourself with God, you call it prayer—prayer that becomes a love relationship between God and man.
Let time with the Father have preeminence in your life each and every day. Make time to pray; the Holy Spirit will help you, He will counsel you. Consider and meditate in the presence of God; listen for His voice. In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)
Excerpt from The Road God Walks, Copyright © 2000 by Germaine Copeland The Road God Walks is available in our bookstore.
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.