PRAYER

What is the purpose of prayer?
Why do I pray?
When should I pray?
How should I pray?

For me, these are all questions I ask myself when the topic of prayer comes up. There really is no specific answer to any of these questions but yet then again there is. There are so many ways to do all these things. So I'm going to go through all these questions and answer them based solely on what I do and how I take different pieces of scripture to determine what I should do! I hope all who read this get something out of it and become more eager to pray more often!

1. What is the purpose of prayer?
- The purpose of prayer is to have a personal relationship with Christ. Think about it. How do you make relationships with others? You talk to them. Same with God, you talk to him so that you can further and develop your relationship with him.
- "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)
      -This verse shows that we are supposed to walk in God no matter where we go or what we do. We have to show our relationship with him in all things. We are walking testimonies of him. The purpose of praying other than furthering our relationship is to pray for those that maybe we don't like or are bitter towards. Pray for them. Pray that God works in your heart to soften it and let you forgive this person for all the wrong they've done you.

2. Why do I pray?
- This is really similar to the question, "what is the purpose of prayer" but I think I can add some to it.
- I, personally, pray because I seek a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ. I want to be one with him and for Him to be seen through me and all that I do.
- One of my biggest struggles is with worrying about what is going to happen next in my life, I constantly pray about this because I just want some peace. I want to not worry about, where I'm living next year, what classes I'm going to take, or even just the little things like what I'm wearing tomorrow and what homework I have to do for tomorrow. Peace.
- Forgiveness is also a HUGE thing for me, if someone does something bad to me, I tend to remember it forever and will never let it go. I pray for forgiveness and that I can learn to see that these people who may have hurt me in the past are also brothers and sisters in Christ and that I should love everyone equally and that we all make mistakes. We're all sinners.
- "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34)

3. When should I pray?
- Pray at any time of the day! There is no right and no wrong time to pray.
- Pray should be a constant part of a Christian's life.
- Yes, we should pray in church when the pastor gives us that time and pray with him or the leaders when the congregation as a whole prays.
- I tend to find myself praying and just simply talking to God while I walk from class to class here at school. Times when you are alone and can just talk to him are the absolute best times to me. I feel such an overwhelming peace and sense of reassurance when I pray.
- In my day to day activities, I tend to get really stressed out and all, so I sit down in my room after class and open my bible to a place that maybe I haven't read before or to a place that I know has a message I could really hear right then. I spend sometime just reading and writing down my thoughts, but then most of my time is devoted to praying about what I just read and how it can be used in my life specifically.
- "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

4. How should I pray?
- Once again there really is no right answer for this question. It really just depends on the person and how you are able to really become one with Christ.
- For me it's reading, taking notes, and praying.
- For some, maybe painting, or drawing, or writing a poem is how they are able to connect and express their feelings and thoughts to God.
- The only thing I'll say is a must for praying to God, is to simply just let it all out. Talk to him. He's your father. Tell him about your day, tell him things that you need help with, ask him to work through you and fix these things that you struggle with, and finally pray for your friends, your family and the people that maybe you just can't stand. God will work in you in amazing ways that you never even thought of.
- "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." (Mark 11:25)

Prayer is such an important part of a Christian's life that it is so important to me that people understand that talking to God can change everything and can be so beneficial in their faith. Getting to know God and letting him take control of your life is the best thing that you can do for yourself, because he knows the master plan and has your whole life worked out.

I pray that each of you who took the time to read this prayer blog that you begin a prayer regimen and try to pray when you can. It really helps. And if you are like me and hate praying in front of people, praying to God alone and out loud (alone) will give you so much confidence so that when you are asked to pray in a group of people, it won't seem as intimidating.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)