24 May 08 - How to pray

Very often, we 'give up' on our prayer life, because we do not know how to pray, what to pray.. But yet, we know prayer life is very important as it's communication with God Himself, our Abba Father. So, how to pray, especially you are praying for a miracle in your life?
[ Miracle: An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God]

How to expect a miracle through prayer? We are taught to pray for God's will be done, all works for His greater Glory, strength to do His will ..etc etc. In fact, it's not really encouraged that we should pray for our needs, wants and interests. Afterall, God is Almighty, He knows what situation we are in and what we desire in our hearts, right? If it's meant for us, He will give to us. True, I do agree, God knows every requests even before you ask for it. Then, how shall we pray, since He already knows we desire a miracle?

I'd like to share 3 kinds of faith I've been taught, learnt and reinforced again when I was in a prayer meeting during my depression. It's simple, yet it should be the way we must have in prayers.. FAITH.

3 situations for miracles to take place:
1)When the miracle works for God's Glory.
This is the simplest to understand, and this is what we've always been taught.
When Jesus performed His miracle, it's usually of Divine Timing. Can you imagine - Jesus who is so well-known for His healing power, walking down the street full of sickly, handicapped and even lepers..I'm sure the street is full of those people because they were 'outcast' of the society, and they really seek some miracle to make them 'accepted' again. In Matthew 15:29-31 and Luke 6:17-19, Jesus heals great multitude-"the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all", "and they glorified the God of Israel". It did not matter how long/short had each of them waited for their miracle, Jesus healed everyone of them that day.

2)When faith of intercessor is strong.
This is commonly known and experienced when people prays and blesses you. You might not believe in miracle, but miracles do happen when they pray for you. When a paralytic was unable to come to Jesus, his friends took the effort to let him down with his bed through the roof into the midst before Jesus. When Jesus saw THEIR faith, he gave the paralytic his miracle. (Matthew 9:1-2; Mark 2:1-5; Luke 5:17-20) Personally, I think the paralytic must be very grateful to have such friends of great faith- not only they believe Jesus is the Healer, but they put their faith into action on behalf of him.

3)When your own faith is strong.
This is the most demanding faith to have. Yet, if you truly desire your miracle, this is the faith you must have, against all odds. There will be people who tell you to 'face reality', and might even labelled you as 'stubborn'. Trust me, they really meant well and good for you, though they do not share your faith for your miracle. But this will also means you are 'on your own' in this faith battle.
I hope you remember the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years (Matthew 9:2-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48). Imagine being so sick for more than a decade, yet still hoping for a miracle! I'm sure people around her would have been so 'fed-up' and given up on her for her stubborn desire to get well. She must be very lonely in her faith journey. Yet, she kept her faith and pushed through the crowd towards Jesus. Just imagine what a crowd it was cos everyone just wanted to be near Jesus, touching Him.. Yet, with her pain of flowing blood, she pushed through for 'just one touch of His clothes'. And the most amazing part is although Jesus was being so thronged and pressed upon in the crowd, He actually felt nothing until this woman 'stolen' His power from Him. That is the power of one's strong faith for miracle - to able to 'steal' power of God..


In conclusion, when you pray, do not be afraid to tell God what you desire. There is nothing wrong of a child to keep asking from his father for the things he wants. Afterall, the child won't know how to differentiate good and bad, at the point of asking. If only you dare to open your mouth and ask, God will hears and He will make a way - to give or to teach. If your desire is great, also pray for great faith to receive your miracle. Our Father will increase your faith each day, if only you ask. You will receive one day, if you do not lose heart.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 7:7-12

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" - Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27

"if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" - Matthew 17:20

"The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]."- James 5:16 (Amplified Bible)


This is the book which taught me so much about praying, when I was so lost in my prayers..I hope it'll bless you too.
How to Pray - RA Torrey
http://www.freechristianaudiobooks.com/audiobooks/HowtoPray/mp3/HowtoPraymp3.htm