Communion With the Christ:: Prayer in All Seasons

Prayer is and has always been a part of the people of God 's relationship with Him. Many have, over the centuries cried out on behalf of one another and lifted their voices in all and every season

Prayer has seen many Christians through difficult times. Prayer, is our voice unto God.

Many seek miracles of all sorts but often the real miracle of prayer is not that there is a tangible answer to our request to God, but at times, the true miracle is that in spite of not receiving an answer, in the way we might want, we still hold fast to Him, knowing that no matter what befalls us Jesus is there and that he has his hand upon us all never to leave nor forsake us.

Our God hears our cries for his intervention in our lives.

We Ought to Pray

Jesus teaching his Disciples two thousand years ago and believers in all ages regarding prayer.

"And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" Lk 18:1

Prayer a Heavenly Ministry

Jesus teaches us to pray. Prayer is a heavenly ministry that all Christian are called to participate in as part of the Priesthood of believers.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light," 1Pet:2:9

The act of prayer is so much an act of worship. Often, we approach prayer as just a means of acquiring wants or needs; but it is far more than that, it is a worship relationship, a communion.

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints." Rev: 5:8

"Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" Ps: 141:2

Much of our time of prayer should be to give thanks and praise to our God, giving him worship, acknowledging our Lord for all that he is on our behalf.

We in our prayer should offer our Lord thanks.

"Sacrifice thank offerings to God; fulfill your vows to the Most High, Ps: 50:14

and also; "He who sacrifices thanks offerings honors me, and he prepares the way (by giving thanks) so that I may show him the salvation of God." Ps: 50; 23

When we offer him thanks it places us to be active in a proper piratical relationship with God wherein, we see his salvation work in our lives.

Enter Our Closet

When we pray, we enter into what Christ has done for each of us. Jesus taught the disciples and us, to avail ourselves of prayer, to "enter into your closet"

"But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly." Matt: 6:6

Many see this admonishment as speaking that we should only pray in private alone, in a personal seclusion, and it does speak to that to some degree, but it may be better understood when we grasp what the closet is.

In that culture and day, the closet was the place where a persons most valued possessions were kept. Our most valued possession is our relationship that we have with our Lord. This speaks to us of entering this relationship in a deep personal way, that is engaging it, participating in it, of having communion with God in Jesus. This is a personal relationship the Holy Trinity through Jesus.

The Door is Always Opened

Remember that Jesus is the door, that is, Jesus is the way in to this Holy relationship. Jesus makes it possible for us, he moves it beyond just a ritualistic act and makes it a relationship.

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Jhn: 10:9

This door stands open to us at any time, that is, our God is always available to communion with each of us at any and at all times.

"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter." Rev: 4:1

That door is always opened to us at any time, it will not shut.

Prayer For All Seasons

What about prayer, for us each day? Often, we "feel" that there are no results, this can be hard during times when life or situations seemed to remain unchangeable, or situations get worse, how should see this? Understand, that the point is not just in "getting an answer”, but rather in turning to our Lord as the answer himself. Look at the Epistle of the Apostle St. James; he addresses perseverance in difficulties. This discussion of perseverance is uses to lead to an admonition regarding prayer.

"Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." Jam: 5:11

This speaks to us of the certainty and confidence that we have in Christ and that we see he is our one true hope in every and all needs, whether we are facing problems and troubles or if things are going well in life, either way, we should pray, recall that prayer should be worship filled.

Prayer is not just for the day of trouble but times of joy and personal worship.

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise”. (13)

When we need healing, or afflicted with difficulties or sickness, we can ask help in prayer for help in overcoming weakness.

" Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (14-16)

St. James adds assurances that our prayers can affect situations, prayer is not just the domain of spiritual giants, but for us all.

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again, he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."(17-18)

Prayer is powerful leading some to be restored to fellowship or the strength to turn away from harmful behavior.

"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." (21-22)

For One Another

Some might ask, “do we need to come together with and for each other?”, “should we only pray alone?”. Christians are intended to be in a community relationship, and prayer for each other gives us an opportunity to vest our lives into each other’s, to participate in each other’s lives.

When we are asked to pray with or for each other our response should not be to lecture, sermonize or quote Scriptures at each other, but to hear that persons' need and join with them in their sorrows, their frustration, pain or even their joy.

Alert in Prayer

Prayer keeps our heart and minds on the source of all blessings which is our Lord himself.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Col: 3:2

Prayer that is focused on our Lord Jesus and guided by His Spirit will keep us spiritually alert.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Eph: 6:18

For His Work

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should ." Eph:6-19-20

Christians should pray that the body of Christ all over the world wherever it is at work, would be powerful and reach many with the Gospel.

We should be in a state of prayerful readiness, always tuning to Jesus, ever ready to bring our needs to him, but our joys as well with all gratitude.

"Be Instant in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving:" Colossians:4:2

You Request

St. Paul wrote to Christians in Philippi which was largely a retirement community of former Roman soldiers, they understood the need to have a strong supply line, they would understand the point if the Roman Empire could supply its' legions while they were in far off lands, how much more so could the great God be trusted to supply our needs as we do his work upon the Earth, we can have peace in Jesus. Bring our needs to Jesus, he not only has the answer, Jesus is the answer.

Even the way prayer should be ended with the affirmation of Amen reflects that Jesus is the answer and that God hears and receives our prayers.

Amen is one of the titles which the Holy Spirit calls our Lord Jesus, as the affirmation of God's willingness to grant us help in whatever we face.

"These are the words of the Amen," Rev:3:14a

"For all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us." 2 Cor:1:20

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philip: 4:6-7

In the Mouth Two Witness

God himself has provided us the means by which we can be confident that we will have our prayers answered according to his eternal purpose in each and all of our lives. Jesus stands as our advocate and High Priest who is even now speaking our names in prayer and intercession for us all.

"Therefore, He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."Heb:5:25

And in like manner the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, makes continues intercession for us conveying our needs to the very heart of the of the God the Father, bringing the whole of the Holy Trinity into lives.

St. Paul tells us regarding this truth in his Epistle to the Church at Roman

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" Rm:8:26

This is in accordance with the Biblical principle that in mouth of two or three witness a matter is established. St. Paul draws on this very principle, which is found in Deuteronomy, in his letter to the Corinth Christians

"This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 2Cor:12:1

This knowing that Jesus and the Holy Spirit both are "witnessing" to our need at the very heart of the Father so we know that the answer God's answer for us will be establish. This should be of great encouragement.

We all can turn to Jesus each day and in all seasons through which we pass, in every, and all circumstances that we face in this life, good and bad, enjoin him in prayer in this deep personal relationship. Let us always be found being in prayer in all seasons.

Benediction: May we each and all come to our Lord and God in times of prayer in all seasons through which we pass, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.