This week we had an interview conducted by Chris asking Dean a new congregant of Church in the Avenue the remarkable things Jesus has done in his life. There was a lot said so we are going to pick out just one of the key parts of the interview that has to do with prayer.
Since coming to know Jesus Dean decided to take his prayer life seriously. He didn’t find it easy to pray out loud or in his mind. Dean was advised in Scotland on a discipleship course in 2018 to start prayer journaling. So, he did just that and never looked back.
Here are a shelf full of Dean’s prayer journals.
Prayer journaling enabled him to concentrate better and to have a better relationship with God that was deep and meaningful. One of Dean’s favourite scriptures is in the book of Acts in chapter 2 displayed below.
Acts 2:22
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”
Through prayer journaling Dean has seen miracles, signs and wonders. He has seen many answers to prayers such as:
- Healings, where people with serious ill health have been healed.
- Provision, where Dean has been in need of financial provision and the Lord poured out blessings.
- Through prayer the Lord has changed many aspects of safeguarding in principalities and powers that help protect people to this day.
There is so much more we could talk about, but for now we want to talk about the importance of prayer. What does the Bible say about prayer, lets take a look.
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
In the book of Luke in chapter 11 Jesus talks in a parable about prayer. Have a read it is displayed below.
Luke 11 v 1 – 8
11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father, hallowed be your name. your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
5 Then Jesus said to them,
“Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.
6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’
7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’
8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
What does this parable mean?
When you have given your life to Jesus and declared him Lord of your life it enables us to have a relationship with God our Father, and we have that relationship through intimate prayer.
In the parable Jesus is basically saying pray with shameless audacity. Pray about everything and about every need you have, and as long as it aligns with Gods will for your life it will be given to you.
He is also saying that even though we are flawed human beings and from time to time we will stumble God will shamelessly provide for us.
Conclusion
If you are a Christian and are struggling with your prayer life then take inspiration from this. A deep and meaningful prayer life can open the door to the next part of your walk with the Lord.
Pray with shameless audacity.
If you are curious about the Christian faith then come to our family service that takes place every Sunday from 10.45am. When you give your life to Jesus what can a good prayer life do in your life, come and ask us.