What is the point of prayer? Is it to make you feel good? Is it to do something that gives you a sense of religion? Is praying to you a way to allay your fears of a possible God up there who you don’t want to mess with? Is it just a mental note to gratify your philosophy?
The carnal mind can never understand the value of prayer. Unless, he is driven by purpose to seek and find God. For eg. Cornelius the centurion, he was a good man, but he knew his good life was not going to be enough. He consistently prayed, and found the truth in Jesus.
Why is a prayer powerful?
A prayer is powerful not because of the one praying, but because of WHO he is praying to and what HE has already said about prayer.
What has God said about prayer?
Let us take a look at what the Bible says;
Pray Believing
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. ( John 14:12-14)
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22)
When we pray, we must pray believing. Believe that God has already given you what you need. Christian life is a life of faith, where we receive based on our full-hearted trust on God. God is our loving Father, why won’t He give you the best? His best will always be nothing you ever imagined. Right? So, please wait happily, stay humble. Do not grumble or murmur.
Pray According to His Will
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)
What are you asking for? Are you seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Or are you concerned about your life on earth – needs which God said will be provided? (Matthew 6:33). The word of God reveals to us what the will of God is; stay focused on spiritual needs, the rest will follow suit.
Pray in Tongues
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5)
What happened when Peter was sent to prison? The church prayed in tongues. How do you know the church prayed in tongues? An angel rescued Peter. So what has tongues got to do with angels? Read 1 Corinthians 13:1.
Pray in Fellowship
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)
When you find it difficult to pray alone. Make the most of your fellowship. It’s the best ship to cruise into the shores of heaven. Call over the phone, have a quick word of prayer. If the Spirit of God decides to manifest through the fellow brother or sister, even better. You’ll go with a confirmation, a word of knowledge or wisdom which’ll keep your heart expectant in His love, and a sound mind.
There is great power in prayer! When we sincerely sit before the throne of Grace, and boldly ask of God, like a child to a Loving Father, miracles are bound to happen to those who believe.
As a point of clarity, are you saying that prayer is only “complete” if you speak in tongues?
We must pray like a child, asking God whatever He has promised us. We must pray wholeheartedly.
In my case, after I believed in Jesus, I sought the Lord to baptise me in the Holy Spirit and Fire. I was filled with a mighty anointing which was followed by a general evidence of speaking with tongues. I believe all those who are Spirit baptised speak in tongues apart from the 9 gifts that manifest according to His will. So, like Paul says, in 1 Corinthians 14:39, forbid not to speak with tongues – why? Because it a strange language or utterance given by God that refreshes us. Anyone who believes in Jesus if they ask as a child will receive (Luke 11:9-13)
No, it’s a powerful tool that will work, if you work it!
So if I don’t speak in tongues I am not truly saved & am doomed to eternity in Hell?
Speaking in tongues is A spiritual gift but not THE spiritual gift that proves one’s spirituality.
1Corinthians 12 says:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 NKJV
Please re-read what I replied. After I got saved I sought the Lord for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it’s a separate experience. Only for those who are saved. A person has to be saved (believe) first, before they can receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost promised to all those who believe (Acts 2:16-18, 38, 39).
Thank you for sharing those verses, by God’s Grace I have seen the manifestation of every gift mentioned here. We worship an amazing God!
Once we are saved we recieve the Holy Spirit.
So you’re saying that you specifically asked for the gift of speaking in tongues?
That’s where we differ in our understanding. I’ve shared verses that reveal how the gift of the Holy Spirit is a separate experience and not one found at salvation. Please also read Acts 8:9-24). Philip preached and water baptised. Peter came and prayed over those who had believed; for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
We will have to agree to disagree on this point. And let God continue to shape our understanding of His nature.
Amen! Thank you for your post!
Amen! Praise God.