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Benefits of Prayer – Part One:
Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life. It simply defines as communion and cooperation with God. It is through prayer that you approach the throne of God with your praises, thanks, confessions, and requests. Spend less time wrestling with the hours in your day and make it your goal to pray first. You’ll see your priorities fall into place, feel your spirit lighten from under the burden of diminishing time, and experience a peace that comes with spending every moment in the presence and under the guidance of your heavenly Father. The benefits of prayer are to strengthen believer’s faith. Because prayer is your communion with God, each time you approach the Lord through prayer, our faith strengthens. God promises that He hears the prayers of His people. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” 1 John 5:14. As, you see God answer your prayers with both positive and negative responses, your faith matures because you may realize He is actively present in your life. Hannah’s prayer life in 1 Samuel 2 illustrates personal growth through prayer. Jesus called the weak and weary to come to him for rest. When the prophet Jeremiah felt overwhelmed by his task at hand he turned to the Lord for renewal. It was through prayer that the prophet lamented, grieved, and found strength to continue his ministry. Likewise, prayer is an avenue by which we may share our heart to God and fully process everything that weighs down our spirit. “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13 (NKJV).
Prayer is an avenue by which you may share your heart to God and fully process everything that weighs down your spirit. When the prophet Jeremiah felt overwhelmed by his task at hand he turned to the Lord for renewal. It was through prayer that the prophet lamented, grieved, and found strength to continue his ministry. Through prayer, you learn the heart of our Heavenly Father. King David, known as a man after God’s own heart recorded many of his prayers to God in the Book of Psalms. Through not only your own expression of faith, but also in the times of stillness, you are able to deepen the depth of your relationship with the Lord.
1. Peace of Mind:
“Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6– 7 (NKJV).
2. Comfort from God:
“Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trial” 2 Corinthians 1:3– 4 (NKJV).
Scripture encourages us to pray with others and for others. When the early Church gathered together in fervent prayer for Peter after he was imprisoned, an angel rescued him from his chains (Acts 12). Stories continue to be told today of how God miraculously answers the faithful prayers of his people. You also must never cease praying with and for our brothers and sisters in the faith; for it is through prayer that God continues to transform the world.
Guidance to make wise decisions “If any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him” James 1:5.
3. Help to avoid Temptation:
“Carry on prayer so that you do not enter into temptation” Luke 22:40.
While God allows us to experience temptations, He never gives us more of these than we can bear. He will give us means to overcome our sinful habits with His guidance and grace through prayer. While you should by no means hesitate to ask for help to overcome bad habits, immoral behaviors and wicked temptations that will cause you to continue to remain victim to the enemies snares and traps.
A Prayer for Resisting Temptation
Dear Lord Jesus,
Help me when I have to face challenges and struggle that cause me to stumble in my walk of faith, although You know the temptations that I have to face each today. Lord, sometimes these temptations seems too strong for me overcome, and they seem too powerful to resist.
I need your help in this battle. I cannot walk alone, Holy Spirit, I need Your guidance. Because, my flesh is weak. Please help me. Fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit to give me strength. Lord, Your Word promises that I will not be tempted beyond what I can bear. I ask for your strength to stand up against temptation each and every time I encounter it.
Help me to stay awake spiritually so that temptation won't catch me by surprise. I want to always pray so that I won't be dragged away by evil desires. Help me keep my spirit well fed with your Holy Word so that I remember you are living in me. And you are greater than every power of darkness and sin that is in the world.
Lord thank You for your unconditional love that helps me overcame Satan's temptations. I ask for the strength to withstand all of Satan's attacks and plots. Don't let me be pulled away by my own foolish desires.
Your Word also tells me You will provide a way of escape from temptation. Please, Lord, give me the wisdom to walk away in Your goodness, grace and mercy, so that when I am tempted, and the clarity to see the way out that you will provide. Thank you, Lord, that you are a faithful deliverer and that I can count on your help in my time of need. Thank you for being here for me.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray,
Amen.