Sunday, March 14, 2010
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Depending on who you speak with prayer has many different meanings and styles. Some only pray at a certain time of the day and others pray in a particular place. Some feel prayers must be conducted in a certain order and fashion and others pray spontaneously and without regard. No matter what your opinion is on prayer, it is practically universal that prayer is effective.

Prayer is a personal conversation with GOD. It is a time to thank GOD for his many blessings, petition him for a need and intercede on behalf of another person. When you come to GOD just as you are, unashamed and humble, he is faithful to hear and answer your request.

When you do pray you must understand that GOD is not a genie. Answers to your prayers are based on a few circumstances. Are you walking in GOD's will for your life? Are you being obedient to his voice? Are you putting others needs before your own? These are a few questions you should ask yourself as you pray. GOD is so amazing that he may even show you the answers to these questions in the mist of your prayer. With increased prayer comes more insight and more answers.

What are you asking GOD for? Be very specific. It could be as simple as the kind of dog you want for your birthday or more detailed like the corner office on the 18th floor. GOD is not surprised by your request. He knew before you asked, he was just waiting for you to open up to him and have a conversation. If you look back over your life you can take inventory and see that your prayers were answered and you did not even realize it because you moved on to the next request.

I would encourage you to be more aware of the small prayers that GOD has answered. What a blessing that GOD is not like man and doesn't get mad when we don't recognize and say thank you. He continues to be readily available to hear your prayers at whatever time you present them.

Before I moved into my current home I created a list of things that I wanted. I was very specific including the levels of the home, what the inside and outside should look like. I found a picture during my house search and I kept that image in my head. In the search I would pray and ask GOD that he would give me the home that my heart desired.

Every home that I looked at just did not have all the things that I wanted so I continued to look and did not settle. In the end I am happy and comfortable in the home I wanted with all the specifics that I desired.

Prayer is such an easy task but many think it requires complicated words and phrases. It is probably the easiest way to connect with anyone, especially the one who causes the sun to rise and set. No waiting until the office opens or someone wakes up. You can pray when and where you want to. You can make your request known unto God and by faith and if it is in HIS eternal will for your life it will be given onto you.

You may not be seeking a new home but your prayer maybe a new job, financial blessing, a mate, a car etc. Whatever it is that your heart desires take it to GOD and be very specific. Trust and have faith that your prayers are being heard.

If you feel you are not in right standing with GOD and your prayers are hindered I encourage you to begin praying that GOD would remove the hindrances between you and HIM and you can begin to move in the joy of answered prayer.

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer- Ezra 8:23