Prayer is an act of faith. The very act of prayer shows that the person praying knows that he is being heard and that prayer changes things. Prayer is about faith, not about fancy words or long, drawn out petitions. Prayer is about being with God in a conversation. It is not to be a show before man. It's about being humble, not proud (Matthew 6:5-7). Prayer moves the hands of God from wrath to mercy and grace (Ezekiel 22:30,31). Prayer is how God's people, the Church, rules and reigns on Earth today (Matthew 18:18; Revelation 1:6 and 5:10). Prayer is how God's Church engages in warfare against Satan (Ephesians 6:10-18). Prayer shows us that God has given us authority and that nothing will get done on Earth without the say-so of His Church. We can not get anything done on Earth without God, and God will not do anything without our asking. So prayer is team work with God; it is being united with Him according to His will. If God moves without His Church making the petition it will violate the authority that He has entrusted to her. And finally, prayer requires righteousness and holiness before God (2 Chronicles 7:14,15).
The Lord directed me to write this Blog post because many of His people do not pray. And God is looking for pray-ers (refer back to Ezekiel 22:30-31). As a missionary in Juarez, Mexico I know of many who are afraid to pray for fear of failure. Some don't think that they know how to pray (but prayer is not difficult). Others may be recent converts who have never prayed before. Some feel inadequate, lost. But prayer is as simple as sitting across the room from a friend and having a conversation. However, the Lord wanted me write down a prayer for you. If recited, it must come directly from your heart for it to be meaningful and effective, otherwise it will just be words that fall to the ground. This may be a reference prayer; used to learn and grow from. You may recite it from the heart for several days or weeks and then fly solo from there. This blog post may also be a used as a Bible study as it has about 90 scripture references. Look up the scriptures and they will build up your faith and your prayer life. I suggest that this prayer be copied on paper to have around when needed, or to be given to others. It would be great to share with inmates, people in rehabilitation centers, in hospitals, at work, or wherever you find someone struggling to pray. My desire is to see this prayer touch many lives all around the globe. Please share it with others. The prayer is as follows:
My dear heavenly Father;
I call you Father because I realized that I was a sinner (Romans 3:23), but I have repented of my sins (Acts 2:38), and I have accepted and confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I want to follow and serve Him for the rest of my life (Romans 10:9-10). Through Jesus Christ I have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven, not in hell (John 3:3-16; Romans 6:23). Because I have accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross and the blood that He shed for me I am a brand new creation, all my sins are erased, my past is forgotten (it no longer exists), and now I have a brand new start (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:3). You are now my Father. Satan is no longer my father (John 842-47; 1 John 3:10). Satan had blinded me to the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 9:25).Thank You Father for making me your child, even as Jesus is your Son. I understand now that You love me just as much as You love Jesus, no more and no less (John 17:23). Your great love for me has given me the freedom and the permission to love others, because before I did not know how to love (1 John 4:7-12). But now I can love with the same love that You love me (1 John 3:11-15). I recognize your Name as Holy. I know that You have forgiven me for the untold number of times that I used your name in vain. And for that I am truly thankful. I want everything that You have for me in your Kingdom. I want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, even if it means pain, suffering or death (Acts 9:15-16; Hebrews 11:32-38). Let your perfect will and plan be done in my life (Jeremiah 29:11). Provide me with everything that I need materially and spiritually that I may serve You as your child (Philippians 4:19). Father, as You have forgiven me I also completely forgive all those that have done me wrong. The harm that others have done to me is a drop in the ocean compared to how I have failed You, so I gladly forgive all men their debts to me (Matthew 18:21-35). Your Spirit that now lives in me (Romans 8:12-17) urges me to forgive all my accusers and all who have come against me. Father, I not only forgive them, but I will love them with all my heart and I will pray for them because I am your child and being your child is what defines me and identifies me now (1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Matthew 5:43-48). Father I ask You to keep me alert, help me to be watchful and careful with Satan's schemes because I realize that he will always try to trip me and make me fall (1 Peter 5:8-9). Even as Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness he will also try to tempt me (Matthew 4:11). Help me to be strong in the Spirit and in your Word. It was your Word that Jesus used against Satan and it is what I need to use against him also (Ephesians 6:10-18). Help me to understand Father that your Kingdom is active here on Earth and that I am part of it now (Matthew 18:18). Everything that I do will be for your glory and honor. You will become greater, and I will become less (John 3:27-30). Father, I promise to serve You, to pray, to rejoice, and to always thank You no matter what I am going through in my life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I don't ever have to fear again because as long as I put You first You will always be with me, protect me, surround me with your angels, be with me in trouble, and rescue me (Psalm 91). I will only allow pure thoughts into my mind and I will protect my eyes from all evil (Philippians 4:8; Job 31:1). I was created in your image to have dominion over your creation (Genesis 1:26). But Satan came to kill, steal, and to destroy. And when man fell into sin he lost his dominion. But in your love and grace You sent your Son to restore everything and give me life again with You (John 10:10). Jesus brought peace between You and me (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). My sweet Jesus has destroyed the works of the destroyer (1 John 3:8). With the salvation and healing that comes through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross I will not die but live to offer my life a testimony to the world around me (1 Peter 2:24, 25; Psalms 118:17). For that I am truly thankful Father. Thank you for restoring my life! I needed You in my life; You are all I ever needed. I know that You have been waiting all my life for me to repent and return to your waiting arms (Luke 15:20-24). But I am here now and I vow never to leave you again. I know that You know everything about me Father (Psalm 139:1-18). Before I was created You knew me, so I am not a mistake (Jeremiah 1:5). You know all my needs even before I have a need (Matthew 6:8, 31,32). You know my prayers before I say a word. And when I pray to You I know that I have what I prayed for (1 John 5:15). I know that if I seek your Kingdom and your righteousness that You will provide me with all that I need (Matthew 6:33). I thank You Father because I am no longer in the trash heap. You rescued me from the sinking sand and You put a new song in my heart (Psalm 40:1-3). Addictions and sin no longer rule over me (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). I am no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:6-7). I have been set free from every curse and guilt of sin (Galatians 3:13; Romans 8:1,2). I am now among the blessed, and no one can curse what you have blessed (Numbers 22:12). No one that comes against me will be victorious over me (Isaiah 54:17). No matter how terrible things may appear I will not be afraid because You will walk with me (Psalm 23:4). You have made me the head and not the tail, the top and not the bottom (Deuteronomy 28:13). I have trusted in You therefore I feel as if I can fly... I feel that I can reach the heavens without effort (Isaiah 40:31). And Father I have victory in You and nothing or anyone will ever separate me from your love (Romans 8:37-39). You have brought me from the ditch of life to a place in your throne room in Heaven (Ephesians 2:6,7). You have also made me part of your Nation of Kings and Priests for your service (Revelation 1:6 and 5:10). And with your strength and righteousness, there is no sacrifice too small or too big that I can't make for your Kingdom (Philippians 4:13). I want to give my life completely to you so that You may transform and renew my mind (Romans 12:1,2). Father help me to persevere in all things, give me wisdom, health, and prosperity (James 1:2-8; 5:13-16; 3 John 1:2). Help me to tithe and give offerings as a step of faith, knowing full well that when I give by faith that You will bless me with more, so that I may continue to be a blessing to your Kingdom and others. Otherwise, I will be robbing You of your desire to bless me (Malachi 3:6-12). Above anything else Father, I want to get to know You more so that I may be more like you (Philippians 3:7-11). Father, teach me more about faith because it's only through faith that I am saved, and without faith I cannot please you (Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:6). Father, as you know my every need before I make it known to you, help me to believe that I have received what I ask for before I see it (Matthew 6:8; Hebrews 11:1; Mark 11:24). Help me to believe that You can, and will do, as your Word says that You will because your Word is your desire for me (Romans 4:16-22). With You all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), and nothing is impossible to You (Luke 1:37). I also ask you Father to fill me with your Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5 and 2:1-4). Teach me also to live by the Spirit so that I will not give in to the desires of the flesh as in the past. May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in my life (Galatians 5:16-26). And Father may I always remain anxious and ready for the time when Jesus returns to this world to get His bride (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Luke 21:25-28). May your Holy Spirit help me to reach as many as possible with the message of salvation (Mark 16:15,16). Give me the wisdom and boldness that I need to share your Word with others and I ask you to confirm the words that I speak with your power and miracles (Acts 4:29-31,33; Mark 16:17,18). Help me to rescue as many as possible from the eternal and awful fire of hell (Jude 23). I close with prayers for our nation, our President and our leaders, for our police officers, our military, our schools, our pastors, and all who protect us (1 Timothy 2:1-4). I have asked for many things in this prayer but by faith and the promise of your Word I know that I'll receive much more that what I asked for because You are God, and in You there is always a super abundance of blessings ( Ephesians 3:20). Finally I bless and pray for the peace and salvation of Israel and your spiritual Israel, which is your Church, your bride (Genesis 12:1-3; Numbers 24:9). To Israel I declare:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine
upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face towards
you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24:-27 NIV)
Maranatha, come quickly Lord! Father, for your glory I ask all these things in the powerful Name of your Son Jesus Christ (John 14:13-15). Amen!
I would love to hear about your adventures and victories through prayer. Please drop me an e-mail or a message about your story. This ministry in Juarez, Mexico also needs your prayers and support. You may reach me at:
Daniel Torres
12397 Chamberlain Drive
Horizon City, Texas 79928
(501) 827-7679
d_torres53@yahoo.com
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