Greetings!
Sometimes, someone prays when there is only a crisis. The Bible teaches us that prayer is a Christian discipline that a follower of Jesus Christ should do. Prayer is the heartbeat of our relationship with God. It is a divine conversation that transcends time and space. Prayer should be as natural as breathing.
Here are four things to remember about prayer from the acrostic of the word PRAY:
P – Praise God with thanksgiving.
We should begin our prayer with praise and thanksgiving. As we come into God’s presence, we acknowledge His greatness and offer our heartfelt gratitude for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. The psalmist writes, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
R – Repentance and confession should be part of our prayer.
As we pray, we must examine our hearts and confess our sins before God. John assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Through repentance and confession, we remove barriers that hinder our communion with God and allow His cleansing grace to work in us.
IA – Ask God in faith.
God invites us to bring our needs and desires before Him with unwavering faith. Jesus said, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)
As we pray, let us believe in God’s goodness and His desire to answer our prayers according to His will. In times of doubt, let us remember the words of Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Y – Yield to God’s will.
True prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will rather than seeking our own desires alone. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
When we surrender to God’s will, we yield our plans and trust that His plans are higher and His ways are perfect.
As we PRAY, may we praise God with thanksgiving, repent and confess our sins, ask in faith, and yield to His will. Let prayer become an integral part of our daily lives, transforming us from the inside out and drawing us closer to God.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications