James 4:2: “You have not because you do not ask God.” The
phrase supports the premise that prayer changes lives and situations. Men in
Ministry, the life we have we have created for ourselves as a reflection of our
prayer life. When children decide not to serve the Lord,
when the boss decides to put us in a terrible situation, when our
marriage is not going well, when our finances are in disarray, all are a
refection of our prayer life.
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| Ask in the Name of Jesus |
Attached to the phrase from James 4:2 are a few if’s. God
answers prayer to those who obey His commands and do what pleases Him. If my
prayer life is in line with God, I will be in constant communication with the
Holy Spirit. In this state, I will be obeying God’s commands and doing what
pleases Him. Falling, repenting and turning from sin is pleasing to God. Not
the falling part, but what we do immediately after the falling part. Prayer is powerful!
How long or how much time should I be praying? This is the
wrong question. If a man has an appointment with a highly sought after leader,
does the man ask: How much time do I need to spend with the person? No, the man
asks how much time do I get with the person? This is the same question for us
to ask when we are preparing to pray. God hears us. God will give us His
undivided attention for as long as we want it. Prayer is powerful!
Psalm 40:1-2: “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to
me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the
mire; He set my feet on a rock.” This Psalm strikes at my heart, to think that
God will stop what He is doing turn to me and listen to me, then lift me out of
my junk and put me on Jesus, the rock. I can get the King of King’s undivided
attention.
Enter the presence of God with thanksgiving and praise. God
inhabits the praises of His people.
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| Enter His Courts With Praise |
Jesus says in John 16:23 “Very truly I tell you, my Father
will give you whatever you ask in my name.” This tells us we need to pray to the Father in the name of
Jesus. Ask for anything and it will be given to us, if we ask in the name of
Jesus. Always keep in mind God knows what is best and when it is best for us to
receive.
Examine your prayer life: does it mirror the prayer life of
Jesus? Does your prayer life follow the directions of Paul, in Ephesians? Is it
better for us to be in God’s presence consistently or only in an emergency?
Prayer changes lives and situations. God is waiting for us
to enter His throne room and ask for whatever we need in the name of His Son Jesus.
Glad Tidings Men in Ministry
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