THE ASSIGNMENT OF PRAYER

Prayer or to Pray is a system or channel believers use to communicate with God. Prayer is the authorized primary platform through which we communicate with God. 

Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Prayer is not just something we do, but rather, it’s an interaction between God that should result in communication from all who are involved. God is omnipresent and throughout the Bible, we see how prayer moves the heart of God. David had to flee from King Saul for the sake of his life. In Psalm 34, David praises God for delivering him from his fears while receiving protection from His enemies. Psalm 34:4 says "I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears."

God wants a relationship with us, and one of the platforms He has authorized us to use to build that relationship and fellowship with Him is through prayer. When we commission Him in prayer and seek Him earnestly, being the loving Father He is, He will always answer us John 14:13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Jesus Teaches Prayer 

During Jesus' time on earth, He taught us many things about prayer. In Luke 18:1, He says, “And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

When we study the scriptures, we see that Jesus always used prayer to consult with God first before making any decisions. How many decisions have we made today without consulting God? When we seek Him first, He is able to guide and lead us into all wisdom. 

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

His prayers were always private, intimate, reserved only for His Father. Giving space for personal intimacy with the Holy Spirit affected how sensitive Jesus was towards the Holy Spirit. 

Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the [b]hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.” and than again in 

“Matthew 6:7: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

Jesus did not pray with hesitation or uncertainty in His heart. Instead, He prayed with faith, trust, and full confidence in the Lord. These deep moments of intimacy in the place of prayer always caused Him to walk in the will of the Father. John 10:30 “I and My Father are one.” When we pray, we are able to exercise our discernment accurately and walk in the will of God. 

Prayer is a powerful method that greatly impacted Jesus’s ministry. If Jesus, being the express image of God, can pray, how much more we, who are prone to not pray?  Prayerlessness is a form of pride and a very dangerous orientation that slowly leads you into Godlessness and unfruitfulness. 

The Assignment of Prayer in the believer’s life 

1: To build intimacy 

Psalm 145: 18 - The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

2: For transformation

Luke 9:29: As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.

3: For Empowerment

1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

4: For Supplication & Request : 

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

5: For warfare and Intercession 

1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I [a]exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Gal 6:12: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”