Many things has been said about it, many have said about it. But if we were to know we have to pray about it. Well Prayer is - When Jesus asks the Father, he did not ask something to be done according to his will, but the will of Father.
Luke 22:42 NIV
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
The Father knows what is the best for his Son. Even more better is... Even when the Son is on the point of death, Father know what is the best that he can do for his Son. If by any means Jesus was not died on the cross, I would have have the ability to type this.
1 Corinthians 15:17 NIV
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
The misconception about Prayer:
Many of our needs are to be fulfilled, our dreams should come true, our destiny has been attained. And we think, if we ask him like that Rich Man...
Matthew 19:16-30New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Rich Young Ruler
16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be [a]complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
So, What is Prayer and why should we Pray?
Prayer alters our thinking:
Its not just allowing us to think us right, but completely alters. Changing our thinking. Prayer enables us to understand that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us in the way that God wanted us to move, rather than we asking God to move in a particular direction. See what David says:
Psalm 23:4 NIV
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Many of us walk in the deep dark valley of life and we forget few things. The first and the foremost thing we forget is that, "God is with us". Jesus promised us that he Matthew 28:20 NIV
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Of course we should be doing what is right and good according to his word and will.
Our perspective of life:
Prayer is the one thing that changed Paul's life, that is why he got the thought of being content. Prayer gets us closer to God. Of course God is very closer than what we could imagine about, but our perspective of him, being a God is outside of our thinking.
James 4:8 NIV
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Relationship
Prayer gives us a clear understanding of the relationship we have with our Father, Communication in relationship is very much important. Jesus said,
John 5:19 NIV
Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
Prayer focuses us to him, who is the author and finisher of our Faith.
When Paul says, Jesus - as the author and finisher of our Faith, he meant that, Jesus' relationship with the Father gave us the understanding about what an author would do giving us a prologue of his work and how an athlete wins the cup having run the complete round without losing the hope and finishes the race.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The prayer of Gethsemane teaches all the above aspects of Prayer and even more:
Matthew 26:36-56English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch[a] with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.[b] See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Luke 22:42 NIV
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
The Father knows what is the best for his Son. Even more better is... Even when the Son is on the point of death, Father know what is the best that he can do for his Son. If by any means Jesus was not died on the cross, I would have have the ability to type this.
1 Corinthians 15:17 NIV
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
The misconception about Prayer:
Many of our needs are to be fulfilled, our dreams should come true, our destiny has been attained. And we think, if we ask him like that Rich Man...
Matthew 19:16-30New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Rich Young Ruler
16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be [a]complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
So, What is Prayer and why should we Pray?
Prayer alters our thinking:
Its not just allowing us to think us right, but completely alters. Changing our thinking. Prayer enables us to understand that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us in the way that God wanted us to move, rather than we asking God to move in a particular direction. See what David says:
Psalm 23:4 NIV
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Many of us walk in the deep dark valley of life and we forget few things. The first and the foremost thing we forget is that, "God is with us". Jesus promised us that he Matthew 28:20 NIV
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Of course we should be doing what is right and good according to his word and will.
Our perspective of life:
Prayer is the one thing that changed Paul's life, that is why he got the thought of being content. Prayer gets us closer to God. Of course God is very closer than what we could imagine about, but our perspective of him, being a God is outside of our thinking.
James 4:8 NIV
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Relationship
Prayer gives us a clear understanding of the relationship we have with our Father, Communication in relationship is very much important. Jesus said,
John 5:19 NIV
Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
Prayer focuses us to him, who is the author and finisher of our Faith.
When Paul says, Jesus - as the author and finisher of our Faith, he meant that, Jesus' relationship with the Father gave us the understanding about what an author would do giving us a prologue of his work and how an athlete wins the cup having run the complete round without losing the hope and finishes the race.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The prayer of Gethsemane teaches all the above aspects of Prayer and even more:
Matthew 26:36-56English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch[a] with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.[b] See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
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