Prayer 101

For the whole month of October our small group was on the series all about "Prayers" when do we result to prayer? Are we praying the wrong prayers? or how should we pray?. Sometimes when we are too preoccupied on so many things like our job, responsibilities, career, ministries, and other activities we result to taking things on our own and least to pray.



The bible say:


"When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them."

~ Acts 4:24

..... If you have read the book of Acts particularly on chapter 4 on this passage when the Elders have heard of the miracle over a sick man who was healed, they prayed. The elders first reaction was to Pray, you see prayer should be our highest appeal says Ptr. Steve. It should be our first resort to anything whether in need, trouble or thanksgiving. God's intention is for us to seek him first and all these things will be added unto us. (Mat. 6:33)


Last Tuesday, I was told I had to discuss this Sunday's topic and at this point we are to talk about Prayers but it's going to be a "freestyle". I paused, thought of what is my definition of Prayer and how do I really pray? Then I came up with my "Prayer 101" my prayer must have. I searched from my notes and some of the Pastors preaching's and here are my list:


1. Pray a Realistic Prayer


When Ptr. Clayton's daughter was undergoing the pain of teething, he prayed for all her pain to go away.But then Ptr. Clayton returned to the word for guidance and it says:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its works so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

~ James 1 : 2 - 4


Then Ptr. Clayton said:

. "Then I started praying different prayers. 

I prayed that Jesus would strengthen her to overcome, 

strengthen her to endure. I prayed she'd be stronger 

because of what she's enduring 

so that she'll be able to overcome later on, 

and help others to do the same. 

I started praying realistic prayers"

2. Be persistent.


One of the example of persistent prayer Ptr. Brett sited was from the book of Kings, when Elijah went to Ahab (who at that time worship, Baal) and asked to gather the people of Israel and went to Mount Carmel. This is for Elijah to prove how real our God is. Elijah had ordered his servants to put the bull to the ground and watered it, so God can put a fire on it. He told Baal worshipers to follow and ask their Baal to do the same. Elijah prayed and prayed, until third time God answered his prayers.


The bible says:

34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

~ 1 Kings 18:34-39

"It is not that God is hard of hearing 

or that an abundance of words 

is required to capture His attention. 

It's just that He's developing our tenacity and patience 

while He answers our prayer. So, allow Him to change your heart, making you more resilient and enduring - more like Him. 

Then you will have the privilege 

of watching Him bring you the "cloud" of encouragement signaling the answer is on the way. 

Live right, live well".

~ Ptr. Brett 

3. And lastly, Pray and Fast


I remember I did told you I was taking one of the class that we had at our local church. And I was reminded of the topic we also had and its about fasting.


It was written:

"Fasting is abstaining from food as a spiritual discipline. It is denying the flesh its necessities so that our inner man can be more in tune with the Spirit of God."

~  Training for Victory, A Study Guide for Being and Making Disciples.


Three Benefits of Fasting

1. Victory over Spiritual Forces.

The Bible says:


"25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer (and fasting)."

~ Mark 9:25-29


2. Answered Prayer


23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.31 On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

~ Ezra 8: 23, 31



3. Guidance


The bible says:

"The Lord will guide you always"
~ Isaiah 58:11



.... It was written that prayer with fasting will benefit you victory over spiritual forces, like the apostles before us who followed Christ also experience prosecution spiritual and physical prosecution. In our age rather, we have spiritual warfare of spiritual forces around us and when we pray and fast we will have victory over it. God has always answered our prayers, but fasting in different forms like abstinence from certain things or food will give you spare time to focus on prayer and read the bible. You will be amazed that its in these moments God reveal to you His words. Each of us has different walk with God. But we only have one common basis of our relationship with Him and its through prayer alone........

........My encouragement for you today, is to remember when you pray? Pray a realistic prayer not God to take away your pain but to Pray for endurance and perseverance to overcome it. Be persistent in Prayer, just like what Ptr. Paolo said "Its not how good you are, but how bad you want it". God reveal to you His response sometimes through discernment of our prayers, it may not be something we want. But He will definitely provide us our needs more than our wants. And lastly to strengthen our prayer, fast. It benefits you more than you know. Its not about sacrifice but its actually giving you more time to focus on the Spirit of God. Its when you are empty you become full. Its when you are weak, you are the strongest.....



I leave you with this song "I'll Just Worship You" by Tony Sutherland because when we Pray we are actually worshiping Him as well.






Also, read my previous blog: Forbearance