What Is Prayer: Talking To My Heavenly Father
I had a good relationship with my dad growing up and I still have a great relationship with him to this day. Growing up, I trusted my dad because I knew that he loved me and that he always would no matter what because I`m his daughter. Sure, there were times of disagreements and misunderstandings, but I always felt that I could go to my dad and talk to him about anything. Just as my dad wanted me to feel like I could talk to him about things that are going on in my life, the Lord loves it when we talk to Him about what`s going on in our lives. Yes, the Lord already knows all things, but He is my heavenly Father and He wants me to talk to Him daily. He loves it when I have the desire to spend time throughout my day talking to Him.
What is Prayer: Biblical Definition
Prayer is when you talk to God. The reason we have the privilege of being able to talk to God is that Jesus Christ willingly came to save us from our sins. He interceded on behalf of mankind. Because Christ stepped into history as our mediator, our advocate, and our defender believers now have access to a relationship with God. (1 Timothy 2:5-6). God is just, and He needed to take care of the problem that separated us from Him in the first place. Through Jesus` death, He took care of the sin problem for those who believe (John 3:16-18). Jesus defeated death and rose again so that we would no longer have to be separated from God. Believers can go before God at any time and bring requests before Him (Philippians 4.6).
John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Believers have the opportunity to talk to God as a child can talk to their loving father. God is my father and I believe He delights in me coming to Him in my time of need, pain, sorrow, and joy (Hebrews 4.16). He wants me to confidently ask Him for things in faith, trusting that He knows what is best (Isaiah 55:8-9). Warren Wiersbe writes, “The most important thing about prayer is the will of God. We must take time to ascertain what God`s will is in the matter, especially searching in the Bible for promises or principles that apply to our situation. Once we know the will of God, we can pray with confidence and then wait for Him to reveal the answer.” I have the opportunity to come before God in prayer, asking Him to give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37.4). Sometimes I have to accept His will in faith when I don’t understand why some things happen the way that they do (1 John 5:14-15). In Philippians, Paul commands us not to worry, but to pray about everything.
Philippians 4.6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God Communicates With Us
God communicates with us through His word. Here at Ethnos360 Bible Institute, we desire to be a part of God`s plan to reach all of the nations with the truth of the Gospel. Ethnos360 recognizes God`s word as the ultimate standard of truth. The first step in training with Ethnos360 is two years of chronological Bible teaching. EBI hosts Catch the Vision weekends, which gives people an opportunity to experience life as a student at Ethnos360 Bible Institute. Request your free EBI info packet today!
