If you ask me if there are things I would like to change - the answer is a big yes! We all experience unpleasant situations and circumstances all the time. People would say it's part of life. The question is do you want to continue in that unpleasant situation you are in? It could be a void in your life that nothing / no one has been able to fill. It could be an ailment, trauma, disease of the mind, hopelessness, abandonment, lack of peace / joy / comfort, joblessness, loneliness among others. Whenever I experience any of these challenges, I take it to the Lord in prayer; and he has never failed me.
What is prayer?
It's an act of connecting to God in praise, worship and expressing one's concerns to Him bearing in mind that He is the only one that can bring the desired change. It's a way of expressing one's trust in God who is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or imagine according to the power in us.
"Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,"
Ephesians 3:20 AMP
How do I pray?
This is one of the topics I like to discuss anytime I have the opportunity to reach out to people. Jesus Christ gave us a pattern to follow -
"“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [ For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. ] ’"
Matthew 6:9-13 AMP
God wants our communication with Him to be relational. No wonder Our Lord's prayer starts with "Our Father". The question now is can you call God your Father? If no, I have a few suggestions for you -
1.Confess your sins to God. Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12
2.Ask that the blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all your sins. Hebrew 9:22, 1John 1:7-9.
3.Ask Jesus to come and reign in your life.
4.Forgive yourself and move on.
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]." 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
5.Read your Bible and pray everyday.
6.Pray that God will lead you to a Bible believing church and fellowship with them.
When do I pray?
At all times. There's no limit!
When you wake up in the morning - pray
Before meals - pray
When you're on your way to work / school - pray
When you get to work / school - pray
At end of each day - pray
Before you go to bed - pray
Before you embark on that journey / project / business - pray
In everything, give thanks to God and make your requests known!
Whatever you're going through right now - take it to the Lord in prayer. He will answer you!
"In that day you will not [need to] ask Me about anything. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name [as My representative], He will give you. Until now you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete."
John 16:23-24 AMP
"be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 AMP
Prayer changes things!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I come to you today; save me and I shall be saved. Heal me and I shall be healed. Forgive me of all my sins (confess them). Have mercy on me. Come and be the Lord over my spirit, soul and body. Help me not to go back to my old way of life - give me a new beginning. I am yours Lord! In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Important Information
Giving your life to Jesus does not mean you will not experience challenges in life. Infact, you may be persecuted because of your faith in Jesus. You may experience pain, temptations, trials, disasters, loss and so on. In the event that any of these things happen to you, know assuredly that He is with you. The difference between you and an unbeliever is God's promises - His presence and the ultimate reward which is eternity with Him in heaven.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."
Isaiah 43:2 AMP
"Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 AMP
If you continue to be in good standing with God; when you die, you will go to heaven.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 7:21 AMP
Thanks for the biblical text
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