Prayer

There are two very wrong ways in which we approach the subject of prayer. We either see it as an obligation, something that real Christians do on a daily basis, or we see it as a shopping list, where we ask God for our desires, assuming that a truly loving God would give his children the true desires of their hearts. A new car, an Iphone 5, a pretty girlfriend, a handsome boyfriend; we ask these things of God saying, "Here God, this is what I want. I know you're busy, and I know it's little, but give it to me, please."

The problem with our misconception is that it effectively places us at the center of our prayer, using God as a means-of-accomplishment for the things that we desire.

But here's the thing: God is going to do what God wants to do; you don't really have much of a chance of changing God's mind, especially if what you are praying for will not serve His calling to you. Prayer is not a convincing of God to do or not do something. Prayer is simply an agreement with God's will; "Your Kingdom come, your will be done." It is an invitation to God to work his "magic" in your life. God will do what God wants to do, but God will not do some things if you don't ask him. God is the ultimate gentleman, not in the sense that He will not intentionally do some major things in your life, but rather, that he will withhold Himself from some events if you do not send Him an invitation. I believe that God is sovereign enough to be able to limit His own power over you; I believe that if you leave God out of a decision or a situation, He will allow you to do so.

Prayer is our way of speaking to God; like any relationship, "communication is key." Do not expect your relationship with God to deepen and become rich if you are not in communication with Him.

You want God to move in your life in powerful ways? Invite Him.

You want God's will to be done? Agree with it. Let Him know.

You want God in you? Ask for Him.

There are five pillars to effective prayer. All five are necessary to see the most powerful results from your petition to God.

(This was taken from a workshop n the subject of prayer that I took from Simon Mbevi at the "Pray, Reach, Challenge" conference at Southeast Christian Church.

If you truly want to see God's will done, you cannot simply walk in and ask or even agree with Him. God calls His followers to a holy and pure life before they can taste the full richness of his kindness. You must adjust your everyday life before you can see results from your prayer life. We all are called to radical living so we can see radical change.

In the end, God's will be done. I pray so that perhaps I might be part of that will.