PRAYER – GETTING ALONE WITH GOD

Prayer is an important part of one’s relationship with God. Jesus, the Son of God, often withdrew himself from activity and people just to get alone with his Father in prayer. His disciples asked him to teach them to pray. Our time of prayer is referred to as a ‘prayer closet’ in Matt. 6:6 –

But you, when you pray, go into your room, [KJ – closet] and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Prayer is:

1) A time to quiet your soul and mind by ridding yourselves of distractions. Your soul and mind may resist this time, though your spirit will always be willing.

• I Pet. 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.

o Casting = to throw or fling with sudden motion.

o Your Care = Gk. Merimna; distractions, worries, anxieties (these ‘disunite’ you from God).

o He cares = Gk. mel-o; concerned; to be of interest; it matters!!

2) Using the word ‘PRAYER’ as an acronym to guide us in how to set about this conversation with God:

P – PRAISE –

When I first asked the Lord to ‘teach me to pray,’ He responded with directing me to Psalms to teach me to approach Him with praises. Perhaps you could start with Ps. 146-150 while giving praise to God for the things mentioned in those chapters.

o Petition = formal legal request for a ‘right’ or ‘benefit’ is seen in these particular Psalms in the form or declaring God’s goodness to provide what is needed.

o Request (a desire spoken) and

o Supplication = an urgent request is also a part of our praise. We acknowledge our needs before God in the midst of giving Him praise. (Example – when I was struggling with depression; getting into praise brought the joy of Lord that overcame that mindset.)

R – REMEMBER –

Num. 15:39 – Remember all the commandments of the Lord.

Ps. 105:5 – Remember His marvelous works that He has done; His wonders and the judgments of His mouth….

Ps. 20:7 – …we will remember the name of the Lord our God

S.S. 1:4 - …we will remember Your love more than wine. The upright love You.

Remember who God is, your experiences with His love and grace, how He has come through for you in times past.

A – ADORATION – the act of paying honor and giving worship out of fervent devoted love and respect.

Ps. 95:6 – O come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

I Chron. 16:29 – Give unto the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness.

Jn. 4:24 – God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

Y – YIELD – to stand aside; to be at hand; assist/aid (become God’s servant)

II Chron. 30:8 - …yield yourselves to the Lord and enter into His sanctuary which He has sanctified forever; and serve the Lord your God.

Ro. 6:13 - …yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments (i.e., weapons) of righteousness unto God.

Is. 1:16-19 – Our practical service begins in our prayer closets as we humble ourselves, exalt the Lord and then Come [before the Lord] to reason together -

o Learn to do good; seek justice; rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless; plead for the widow; sins made white as snow.

o Be made willing and obedient and will see the good God brings from your yielded-ness in your life certainly, but also in the lives of those you have prayed for.

E – EXALT – to lift up high –

o Dictionary: to raise in rank, character, or status; to elevate; to glorify, praise, honor.

o to increase the effect or intensity of; heighten

Ps. 34:4 – O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.

Ps. 99:5, 9 – Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; for He is holy…Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy hill for the Lord our God is holy.

Is. 25:1 – O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name; for You have done wonderful things: Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

R – REJOICE – a confident expression of knowing God has heard us and has a plan.

- Lit. to brighten up; be glad; be full of cheer; be well, thrive!

Ps. 5:11 – But let all those who put their trust in You rejoice let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them. Let them also that love Your name be joyful in You.

Ps. 33:1 – Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous; for praise is comely for the upright.

Ps. 97:12 – Rejoice in the Lord you righteous and give thanks at the remembrance of His Holiness.

Phil. 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always and against I say rejoice.

I Pet. 1:8 – Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

Pray then with this acronym to help you get more acquainted with the Lord so you can approach Him with confidence knowing He hears you.

Praise & Petition - Remember – Adoration – Yield – Exalt – Rejoice!