BondServanT Ministries

"The effective, fervant, prayer of a righteous man avails much " (James 5:16).

Every Christian should live a life prayer. Prayer is communicating with God. But in order to have an effective prayer life, we need to understand from God's word how to pray. A successful prayer life must be built on the word of God (the Bible). "...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit..." (Eph. 6:18). In other words, the Bible makes refrence to different forms of prayer. Just as there are different forms of prayer, there are different guidlelines that govern the different forms of prayer.

The first form of prayer we'll discuss is the prayer of faith, also called the prayer of petition. It is simply making your requests and desires (according to God's will) known by by asking and then believing you recieved, by faith, with thanksgiving. "Be anxious for nothing, but in evrything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God..." (Phil. 4:6). We should not ask for something that God has already shown us, in His word, that He says is already ours. Many people pray, "If it be thy will..." This is not the effective, fervent, prayer already discussed in James 5:!6. The first key to an effective prayer is to know God's will. We know this by seeking through His word (Matt. 7:7-11). God's word is His will (IJohn 5:14-15). In other words, God will not show you a will that is not in line with the Bible. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). God wants you to be dependent on Him for everything (James 4:13-19). When we pray and ask God for things we must believe that we have recieved before we see the end results. "Now faith, (not "tomorrow faith") is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). The prayer of faith is coming to GOd, believing that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). God requires that we act according to our beliefs or confession (IJohn 5:14-17). Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do , because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it" (John 14:12-14).

The prayer of consecreation (submission or dedication) to God's will is just that; we pray that God's will be done in our life, crucify our will, and dedicate it to God's, as Jesus did (Matt. 26:39-44, Luke 22:39-46, Gal. 2:20, Phil. 1:21). This involves presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, as Jesus did (Rom. 12:1-2). He did not feel like going to the cross. He knew He was to be the Ultimate Sacrifice for all sins. He knew the cross was going to be extremley painful, physically and emotionally. His flesh was weak and He did not want to be crucified but He knew His purpose was to reconicle the relationship between God and man. The only way to reconcile God and man was for Him to give His life (shed blood). "For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins" (Heb. 9:22). His love for us was greater than any emotions He had that would have prevented Him from doing God's will. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of a living sacrifice (John 15:13). When Jesus was consencrating His will to God's was the only time He prayed "If it be thy will..." And since Jesus is our example, that should be the only time we pray that way also.

The prayer of intimacy is where we cast all our cares and burdens on the Lord (Ps. 55:22, Prov. 3:5-6, IPet. 5:7). Jesus wants to be Lord over our whole life. He wants to carry our burdens and for us to trust in Him (Ps. 37:5). God wants us to take Him at His word; that He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). He does not ever want us to worry about our next meal or other basic needs (Matt. 6:25-27, Phil. 4:6). The reason we do not have is because we do not ask. The reason we don't recieve is because we are aking out of the pleasures of the flesh, rather than the word of God (Matt. 7:7-11, John 16:23-24, James 4:2-3). God will give us the desires of our heart, as long as it is not an idol or will become one. He will not give us something that will destroy us. And we do not want anything that God does not want us to have (Matt 6:33).

Corporate prayer, or the prayer of agreement, is used in church or any gathering where believers assemble to lift the name of Jesus Christ. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth, concerning anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:!9). There is power in unity (Acts 4:23-31). The church (Body of Christ) should not be divided on any issues (ICor. 1:10-17, Eph. 2:22-23). Jesus even said, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand" (Matt. 12:25). In order for the body of Christ to be fully effective and walk in the power of God, not holding onto a form of godliness, we must do our part on an individual basis so that the body is perfectly knit (Eph. 4:1-16). "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).

Praise and worship is also a form of prayer. When you praise God you are rejoicing and giving thanks to God for the things He has done, the things He is doing, and the things He is about to do. God loves to hear the praises of His people. Praise is the highest form of prayer. God inhabits the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3). "And do not be drunk with wine, which leads to sensuality, but be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God (Eph. 5:18-21). God wants us to walk in His power, being filled with His spirit, giving praise to Him out of reverence and joy (Acts 16:23-26). Praise is the magnification and exaltation of the Lord and acknowledging the glories of His excellence! It is God's will that we praise Him (Is. 43:21). Praising God is done through music, a joyful noise, singing, clapping, dancing and any form that glorifies God (Ps 30:11-12, Ps.98, Ps.100). Psalms 149 says, "Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints...Let them praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp...Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth." Psalms 150 says, "Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" Worship is giving reverence toward God in thought, deed, praise, and thanksgiving. When we worship God, we must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Worship is done through sacrificing our gifts (money, talents, services, time, and ministering) thoughts and feelings and should be expressed privatley and publicly (Heb. 13:5, Rom. 12:1, 2Cor. 9:7). Worship is also giving thanks to God in remberence of the death of Christ (ICor. 11:25-26). A very important act of worship for the believer is the dedication of one's entire life. The concept of praise and worship must not be restricted to the attendance of Church, but instead should be a lifestyle of the believer (Chron. 20:1-25, Matt. 4:10, Phil. 2:5-11).

Praying in the spirit is another form of prayer that is not taught among most denominations. Praying in the spirit is also called praying in tongues or speakinbg in tongues; though they are really two different things (ICor. 12:10). Praying in the spirit or tongues happens when a believer is baptised into the spirit. The prayer language (or tongue) is given by God to the believer as evidence of the baptism (Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-7). Speaking in tongues in public is required that only two or three speak and an interpretor should be present; if not then they should keep silent and let them speak to themself and God. Speaking in tongues is a gift that should be desired by all, but not given to all (ICor. 12:12-31). Praying in the spirit does not require an interpretor but should be desired to interpret. "Therefore let him who speaks in an tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, MY SPIRIT PRAYS, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the result then? I will pray with the spirit and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding" (ICor. 14:13-15). In other words, when we pray in the spirit, our mind does not comprehend because our spirit is talking to God with the utterance given only by the spirit (Rom. 8:26). And when we yield to the Holy Spirit by praying in the spirit (or tongues) we allow the spirit to pray the perfect prayer according to the will of God through our spirit (Jude 1:20, Rom. 8:26). The Holy Spirit will never force Himself upon you because He is gentle (Acts 9:31, Gal. 5:22-26). But He wishes you to speak with tongues (ICor. 14:5). God wants us to seek to edify (spiritually enlighten or buildup) the church more than edify ourselves and even more so to have love; for if we have all the gifts of the spirit (speaking in tongues, prophesying, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc.) and have not love, it is all of no use (ICor 12:4-11, ICor. 13:1-3).

All forms of prayer requires faith, and the life of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of the power that was manaifested when we prayed. He only did what He saw His Father in heaven do (John 5:19). His prayer life was so effective that His disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. He gave them the Lord's prayer, which is actually an outline of how we should pray (Luke 11:!-4). "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." This is acknowledging God as the Almighty, but yet our personal Father. It is also a form of praise and worship. "Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven..." This is to acknowledge God's will and His priorities for our lives and to submitt ourselves to His will. "Give us this day, our daily bread..." We should ask God for our needs even though He already knows them. God wants us to speak His word and promises to build our faith, while we renew our minds (Matt 7:7-11, Matt 20:21, John 11:22, John 14:13-14, James 1:5-6, James 4:2-3). "Forgive us of our tresspasses as we forgive those that trespass against us..." We are required by God to forgive others that have sinned against us, or hurt our feelings by God (Matt 6:14-17, Matt 18:21-35). "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..." We are not to focus on Satan's power, but instead, his defeat. Trials, tests, and temptations are NOT from God (James 1:13). Submit to God's will and resist the devil, then Satan must flee (James 4:7). He that is in us, is greater than he that is in the world (IJohn 4:4). God wants us to recognize the fact that He has provided a path of deliverance out of temptations (IICor. 1:8-11, Col. 1:13-14, IITim, 2:4-11, IITim. 3:10-11, IITim. 4:18). "For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever, amen." God wants us to be glorified as we give Him all that is ours and trust in His ability with thanksgiving and praise (Rom. 11:36, Rom. 16:25-27, Gal. 2:20, Heb. 13:20-21, IPet. 4:5).

Praying takes many shapes and the effective prayer is one with all the ingredients that Jesus gave in the Lord's Prayer. Now that you have been shown Godly principles of prayer, we pray that you will be a doer of the word and apply the concepts to your prayer life (James 1:22-24).


		PRAYER
	"The effective, fervant, prayer of a righteous man avails much " (James 5:16). Every Christian should live a life prayer. Prayer is communicating with God. But in order to have an effective prayer life, we need to understand from God's word how to pray. A successful prayer life must be built on the word of God (the Bible). "...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit..." (Eph. 6:18). In other words, the Bible makes refrence to different forms of prayer. Just as there are different forms of prayer, there are different guidlelines that govern the different forms of prayer. The first form of prayer we'll discuss is the prayer of faith, also called the prayer of petition. It is simply making your requests and desires (according to God's will) known by by asking and then believing you recieved, by faith, with thanksgiving. "Be anxious for nothing, but in evrything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God..." (Phil. 4:6). We should not ask for something that God has already shown us, in His word, that He says is already ours. Many people pray, "If it be thy will..." This is not the effective, fervent, prayer already discussed in James 5:!6. The first key to an effective prayer is to know God's will. We know this by seeking through His word (Matt. 7:7-11). God's word is His will (IJohn 5:14-15). In other words, God will not show you a will that is not in line with the Bible. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). God wants you to be dependent on Him for everything (James 4:13-19). When we pray and ask God for things we must believe that we have recieved before we see the end results. "Now faith, (not "tomorrow faith") is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). The prayer of faith is coming to GOd, believing that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). God requires that we act according to our beliefs or confession (IJohn 5:14-17). Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do , because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it" (John 14:12-14). The prayer of consecreation (submission or dedication) to God's will is just that; we pray that God's will be done in our life, crucify our will, and dedicate it to God's, as Jesus did (Matt. 26:39-44, Luke 22:39-46, Gal. 2:20, Phil. 1:21). This involves presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, as Jesus did (Rom. 12:1-2). He did not feel like going to the cross. He knew He was to be the Ultimate Sacrifice for all sins. He knew the cross was going to be extremley painful, physically and emotionally. His flesh was weak and He did not want to be crucified but He knew His purpose was to reconicle the relationship between God and man. The only way to reconcile God and man was for Him to give His life (shed blood). "For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins" (Heb. 9:22). His love for us was greater than any emotions He had that would have prevented Him from doing God's will. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of a living sacrifice (John 15:13). When Jesus was consencrating His will to God's was the only time He prayed "If it be thy will..." And since Jesus is our example, that should be the only time we pray that way also. The prayer of intimacy is where we cast all our cares and burdens on the Lord (Ps. 55:22, Prov. 3:5-6, IPet. 5:7). Jesus wants to be Lord over our whole life. He wants to carry our burdens and for us to trust in Him (Ps. 37:5). God wants us to take Him at His word; that He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). He does not ever want us to worry about our next meal or other basic needs (Matt. 6:25-27, Phil. 4:6). The reason we do not have is because we do not ask. The reason we don't recieve is because we are aking out of the pleasures of the flesh, rather than the word of God (Matt. 7:7-11, John 16:23-24, James 4:2-3). God will give us the desires of our heart, as long as it is not an idol or will become one. He will not give us something that will destroy us. And we do not want anything that God does not want us to have (Matt 6:33). Corporate prayer, or the prayer of agreement, is used in church or any gathering where believers assemble to lift the name of Jesus Christ. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth, concerning anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:!9). There is power in unity (Acts 4:23-31). The church (Body of Christ) should not be divided on any issues (ICor. 1:10-17, Eph. 2:22-23). Jesus even said, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand" (Matt. 12:25). In order for the body of Christ to be fully effective and walk in the power of God, not holding onto a form of godliness, we must do our part on an individual basis so that the body is perfectly knit (Eph. 4:1-16). "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). Praise and worship is also a form of prayer. When you praise God you are rejoicing and giving thanks to God for the things He has done, the things He is doing, and the things He is about to do. God loves to hear the praises of His people. Praise is the highest form of prayer. God inhabits the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3). "And do not be drunk with wine, which leads to sensuality, but be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God (Eph. 5:18-21). God wants us to walk in His power, being filled with His spirit, giving praise to Him out of reverence and joy (Acts 16:23-26). Praise is the magnification and exaltation of the Lord and acknowledging the glories of His excellence! It is God's will that we praise Him (Is. 43:21). Praising God is done through music, a joyful noise, singing, clapping, dancing and any form that glorifies God (Ps 30:11-12, Ps.98, Ps.100). Psalms 149 says, "Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints...Let them praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp...Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth." Psalms 150 says, "Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" Worship is giving reverence toward God in thought, deed, praise, and thanksgiving. When we worship God, we must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Worship is done through sacrificing our gifts (money, talents, services, time, and ministering) thoughts and feelings and should be expressed privatley and publicly (Heb. 13:5, Rom. 12:1, 2Cor. 9:7). Worship is also giving thanks to God in remberence of the death of Christ (ICor. 11:25-26). A very important act of worship for the believer is the dedication of one's entire life. The concept of praise and worship must not be restricted to the attendance of Church, but instead should be a lifestyle of the believer (Chron. 20:1-25, Matt. 4:10, Phil. 2:5-11). Praying in the spirit is another form of prayer that is not taught among most denominations. Praying in the spirit is also called praying in tongues or speakinbg in tongues; though they are really two different things (ICor. 12:10). Praying in the spirit or tongues happens when a believer is baptised into the spirit. The prayer language (or tongue) is given by God to the believer as evidence of the baptism (Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-7). Speaking in tongues in public is required that only two or three speak and an interpretor should be present; if not then they should keep silent and let them speak to themself and God. Speaking in tongues is a gift that should be desired by all, but not given to all (ICor. 12:12-31). Praying in the spirit does not require an interpretor but should be desired to interpret. "Therefore let him who speaks in an tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, MY SPIRIT PRAYS, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the result then? I will pray with the spirit and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding" (ICor. 14:13-15). In other words, when we pray in the spirit, our mind does not comprehend because our spirit is talking to God with the utterance given only by the spirit (Rom. 8:26). And when we yield to the Holy Spirit by praying in the spirit (or tongues) we allow the spirit to pray the perfect prayer according to the will of God through our spirit (Jude 1:20, Rom. 8:26). The Holy Spirit will never force Himself upon you because He is gentle (Acts 9:31, Gal. 5:22-26). But He wishes you to speak with tongues (ICor. 14:5). God wants us to seek to edify (spiritually enlighten or buildup) the church more than edify ourselves and even more so to have love; for if we have all the gifts of the spirit (speaking in tongues, prophesying, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc.) and have not love, it is all of no use (ICor 12:4-11, ICor. 13:1-3). All forms of prayer requires faith, and the life of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of the power that was manaifested when we prayed. He only did what He saw His Father in heaven do (John 5:19). His prayer life was so effective that His disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. He gave them the Lord's prayer, which is actually an outline of how we should pray (Luke 11:!-4). "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." This is acknowledging God as the Almighty, but yet our personal Father. It is also a form of praise and worship. "Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven..." This is to acknowledge God's will and His priorities for our lives and to submitt ourselves to His will. "Give us this day, our daily bread..." We should ask God for our needs even though He already knows them. God wants us to speak His word and promises to build our faith, while we renew our minds (Matt 7:7-11, Matt 20:21, John 11:22, John 14:13-14, James 1:5-6, James 4:2-3). "Forgive us of our tresspasses as we forgive those that trespass against us..." We are required by God to forgive others that have sinned against us, or hurt our feelings by God (Matt 6:14-17, Matt 18:21-35). "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..." We are not to focus on Satan's power, but instead, his defeat. Trials, tests, and temptations are NOT from God (James 1:13). Submit to God's will and resist the devil, then Satan must flee (James 4:7). He that is in us, is greater than he that is in the world (IJohn 4:4). God wants us to recognize the fact that He has provided a path of deliverance out of temptations (IICor. 1:8-11, Col. 1:13-14, IITim, 2:4-11, IITim. 3:10-11, IITim. 4:18). "For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever, amen." God wants us to be glorified as we give Him all that is ours and trust in His ability with thanksgiving and praise (Rom. 11:36, Rom. 16:25-27, Gal. 2:20, Heb. 13:20-21, IPet. 4:5). Praying takes many shapes and the effective prayer is one with all the ingredients that Jesus gave in the Lord's Prayer. Now that you have been shown Godly principles of prayer, we pray that you will be a doer of the word and apply the concepts to your prayer life (James 1:22-24).