No point in praying without actually doing something

Prayer is communication or conversation with God.

Many times when things go wrong and you share your need with someone, they tell you that they will pray about.

And you know that Christians believe that prayer changes things.

Prayer is about having faith that an infinite God will step into your finite situation and finish it in the way that only He can.

Prayer is about having a relationship with God, who is not surprised to hear from you, but considers your latest conversation with Him to be graced with a particular need.

And since God is your Father, He delights in hearing and answering your prayer.

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Now what you must understand is something James communicated.

Faith without works is dead. After you pray, you must do whatever will take you towards the outcome you have sought for in your prayer to God.

Prayer is not stagnant; it is a river of concern or thanksgiving flowing from your heart to the heart of God. Here are some ways that you can be assured that your prayer will be effective:

1. Come to God with clean hands and a pure heart.

2. Know that God desires to hear your request.

3. Pray in faith believing that God will answer your prayer.

4. Pray consistently. Even after you have prayed the prayer of petition, pray the pray of Thanksgiving.

5. Guard your space. Once you have prayed about a matter, be careful that you do not surround yourself with people who speak against what you have prayed for.

6. Have a Jacob mentality - i.e., “God I will not let you go until you bless me”.

7. Your prayer life upgrade will challenge you to change some things. As The Holy Spirit directs, you must heed His voice and walk in obedience.

8. Remember that ultimately prayer changes you.

Prayer is ever moving. It moves the person praying to another place, it moves other people to another place, and it moves the hindrance or obstacle being prayed about to another place.

Prayer does change things. Ask me. Oh yes!

Recently, I was blessed by how God will answer prayers in ways that you don’t even recognize.

Oh how blessed to pray and know that God gives His angels charge over you and over all that is yours in ways that you could not imagine.

Oh how wonderful to have a refuge and fortress in prayer.

Historically, many survived slavery and other forms of abuse because of their communication to God.

Today, you have more in materialism than they did and yet the struggle is more pervasive.

Could it be that prayer has been removed from your heart and from your lips and hence a feeling of despair and hopelessness permeates the society?

Romans 8:26-28

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Let’s talk to others less, prefer to talk to God more, and watch God change things. Prayer will change you, your environment, and Bermuda. Respice finem.

Dr Maria A. Seaman is the Pastor of Shekinah Worship Centre.