The Spiritual Discipline of
Progressing in Prayer from Duty > Discipline > Delight
Apostolic Prayers • Blessing Prayers • Devotional Prayers • Prayers for the Lost • Prayers for Specific Situations • Practicals for Times of Prayer • Questions About Prayer • Teachings on Prayer
Prayer is a means of encountering God and growing in relationship with Him. It is not just a one-way communication where believers speak to God, but a way to commune with God through speaking and listening. It is not just a task or duty, but an opportunity to spend time with God, to relate to Him, and to enjoy a deep connection with Him.
Through prayer, believers position themselves to experience the presence of God and receive His love. Through prayer, we can express our adoration, worship, and childlike requests to God. It is a means of coming before God as a child, recognizing His love and delight in hearing us. It is in prayer that believers gain understanding of God's character and desires, and as a result, their own desires grow to align with His. This deep communion with God through prayer energizes believers to love Him and others more fully.
Prayer is a vital component in the growth of believers in Christ, as it allows them to go deeper into the gospel, into the love of Christ, and their union with Him. By connecting prayer with Scripture reading, believers acknowledge that God is a real person with whom they have a moment-by-moment relationship. The Bible is God's primary way of speaking to believers, and prayer is their way of speaking to Him.
In summary, prayer is a means of encountering God, growing in relationship with Him, and receiving His love and guidance. It enables believers to align their desires with God's and empowers them to love Him and others more fully. Prayer is an opportunity to commune with God, to spend time in His presence, and to deepen their understanding of His character and desires.
"First and foremost, prayer is about encountering God and growing in relationship with Him. It is the means by which we most feel His presence and receive love from Him as we gain understanding of what He is like. In prayer we position ourselves to receive fresh insight into His heart as new desires are formed in our hearts, enabling us to commune deeply with Him. Prayer positions us to be energized to love - to love God and people... But prayer is first of all an opportunity to commune with God." - from Growing in Prayer by Mike Bickle
This playlist has 9 total videos on PRAYER of which to watch and learn!
ARTICLE: Releasing the 12 Sounds of Prayer