PARADOXICAL

The faith chronicles

Friday, August 04, 2006

 

Prayer time


Talk on Prayer Time (based on a Christian Life Program talk)

(Objective: To have a deeper understanding of prayer)


Why Pray?


What is prayer? Why do we pray? Why should we?

Prayer is not about the words one says to God but rather about the leading of the Holy Spirit in us. Essentially, it is a praise, an act of contrition, an expression of gratitude, and a supplication. It may be summarized as ACTS (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication).

Why do we need to articulate our praises when God is self-sufficient, i.e., He doesn't need us; He is glorious just by Himself?

Why should we tell Him what He already knows, i.e., when He is omniscient? Why do we need to ask forgiveness when He knows our sins? Why do we ask for His help when He knows our needs? Why do we need to pray?

To answer these questions, it is important to point out that we are creatures and we believe in God who is our Creator. We pray because we were created precisely for this purpose. Praying to God and praising Him is our main vocation, our reason for being, and should be our goal in life. We don't do it merely because we expect some kind of reward but because we are thankful for all of life's gifts and we ought to do it if we are to be called children of God.

Note how all animals, indeed, all creatures, instinctively praise and worship the Lord. Note how birds sing, monkeys howl, and flowers bloom for God's glory.

But note, too, that of all creatures, it's only us humans who have the capacity to reject God. Even the desire to pray itself is a gift we must be thankful for.


3.11.2000

There are four things we can expect Jesus to do:

1. He confronts the devil.
2. He heals our sickness.
3. He forgives our sins.
4. He calms the storms in our lives.
Reflection:


"Prayer opens our eyes that we may see ourselves and others as God sees
us"

Perhaps our conversation with the Lord began as bedtime prayers when we
were children. Maybe we learned the Lord's Prayer through our parents or in our schools. And throughout our life, our parents or religion teachers have stressed the importance of praying to God.

But how do you really feel about prayer? Is it something you do hurriedly out of obligation, or do you truly enjoy conversing with your heavenly Father many times throughout the day?

Discovering the spiritual benefits of prayer may help us to understand
The great things that can be accomplished by talking to God.

First, prayer deepens our relationship with Jesus Christ. It helps us
To understand the character of the loving God we serve. Second, prayer
purifies our lives. By confessing our sins and living them at God's feet, our hearts and minds can be relieved of unnecessary guilt and shame. Third, prayer helps us to trust God as our Provider. As life's pressure increase, we will begin to anticipate our times of fellowship with Him. Finally, prayer leads to spiritual growth and maturity. The more time we spend with God, the more equipped we will be to help others and to weather the storms in our own lives.

If you are currently a "dutiful" pray-er, reach out to God in a new way
today. Ask Him to show you the joys of being a dedicated prayer
warrior.

God is faithful to answer our prayers, but His answers come when we are
truly ready to receive them. When you feel anxious about an unanswered
prayer, don't give up or get angry. Rather, seek God with a patient
heart and trust His timing

****

Prayer is 30% worship (talking to God) and 70% listening.


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