Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Prayer is a conversation with God, a piece of the inner, spiritual life, the characteristic and mark of a faithful Christian's heart, a continual movement of the Holy Spirit, a work of divine healing... the Holy Spirit moves through prayer, tears, holy meditation, heartfelt sorrow for human misery, pleas that sins or the punishment of sins be set aside, intercessions for all men and for those in authority, prayers for knowledge and understanding, consolation, relief in tribulation, protection, strengthening of faith, patience, and all needs; and through prayer and thanksgiving for the goodness of God, by which God may be praised, given homage and honored in words and blessings. Prayer occurs in secret, in a little chamber, in the heart, in all places, in all occupations, or openly in the congregation in the confession of faith to the honor of the name of God and in thanksgiving for all blessings ... All must be done in spirit and on truth, in the depth of the heart, without hypocrisy ... Prayer is an indicator of a true faithful Christian, a powerful living witness of the Holy Spirit... Prayer is a precious work and the highest honor, to be offered to God alone. It must be done in the love of God and the joy of faith with total resignation to God's will and certain expectation of divine help. Prayer strengthens, unites people with God, and brings them into the community of angels. -Johann Arndt, True Christianity
There are many ways to prayer and prayer is many things. One way is how we allow ourselves to be open to God in prayer. We literally open the door to our hearts and the Spirit of Jesus enters (see Revelation 3:20). We can declare our helplessness. That is the essence of true prayer.
Prayer is the best medicine. Below is a sample of the inspiring quotes on prayer available on the margin to the left:
Christ is our clothing. In His love, He wraps and holds us. He enfolds us for love, and He will never let us go. -Julian of Norwich
Prayer is the counter poison of pride; the antidote to the passion of hatred; the best rule in making just laws; the best and most powerful means to govern aright; the standard and trophy in war; a stronghold for peace; the seal of virginity; the guard of nuptial fidelity; the safeguard of travellers; the guardian angel during sleep; the source of fertility for the farmer; a safe harbor on the storms of this life; a city of refuge for criminals; the source of all true joy; the best friend and physician of the dying. -St. Ephrem
Please do feel free to send your prayer requests to
http://scr.im/ejswensson
Scriptural suggestions for how to pray for ourselves and others
1) Our eyes will be open to our unlimited resources in Christ (Eph 1:17,18)
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
2) We will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit (Eph 3:16)
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
3) We will be filled with the fulness of God (Eph 3:19)
.. and to know this love that surpasses knowledge ? that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
4) We will fully understand and appreciate the love of Christ (Eph 3:18)
.. may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
5) Our love for others will grow to overflowing (Phil 1:9)
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
6) We will be able to discern right from wrong and make the right decisions in all matters (Phil 1:10)
..so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
7) We will be free of all pretence and hypocrisy and live a blameless life (Phil 1:10)
..so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
8) We will be full of the fruits of righteousness (Colossians 1:10)
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
9) We will know God's will for our lives and be committed to it (Colossians 1:9)
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
10) We will please God in everything we do (Colossians 1:10)
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
11) We will be fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:10)
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
12) We will hunger and thirst to know more and more about God (Colossians 1:10)
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.