wlkngwthgod
Member
I'm 13 and just recently was saved (June 23rd this year). I don't know much about prayer or anything, so I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I'd really appreciate it 
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new to Christianity
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Dunemeister
Well-Known Member
Here's what Our Lord has to say about prayer:
You can use the prayer as a 'skeleton' on which you can add your own petitions. For instance, I use "Our Father in heaven, hallowed (revered) is your name" to meditate on the majesty of God and on his worthiness to receive worship. I use "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" to prompt prayer for justice and mercy on the earth and in particular circumstances that are near and dear to me. And so on. Practice this for a while, and you'll find it quite profitable. If you have questions about this method, don't hesitate to ask.
Grace and peace.
Jesus said:
You can use the prayer as a 'skeleton' on which you can add your own petitions. For instance, I use "Our Father in heaven, hallowed (revered) is your name" to meditate on the majesty of God and on his worthiness to receive worship. I use "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" to prompt prayer for justice and mercy on the earth and in particular circumstances that are near and dear to me. And so on. Practice this for a while, and you'll find it quite profitable. If you have questions about this method, don't hesitate to ask.
Grace and peace.
Charity
Let's go racing boys !
If your parents are Christians it would be very helpful to sit down and talk with them. Your Pastor would also be of help. Maybe you could find out if there is a youth leader or minister in your church that I'm sure would give you good advice and instruct you. There are lots of people here that could offer you advice, but having someone that is close would be a big help if you have if any questions come to your mind, or just need to talk.....
Blessings
Charity
Blessings
Charity
DallasApple
Depends Upon My Mood..
I'm 13 and just recently was saved (June 23rd this year). I don't know much about prayer or anything, so I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I'd really appreciate it
Just pray...like God is a pillow..
Picture Jesus...
Prayer is not complicated..
Its like ..."thank you" ...or "please help" or .."hey how are ya"....
Its an infusion..
Love
Dallas
DallasApple
Depends Upon My Mood..
A Theology of Prayer
For the most part, we tend to view prayer from our perspective (what it means or can do
for me) rather than from God’s perspective (what it means or can do for Him). I had
battled in my own mind and heart for many years about the “theology” of prayer, what it
is and what it means, when I sensed the Lord begin to lead me on a journey of discovery.
For the most part, we tend to view prayer from our perspective (what it means or can do
for me) rather than from God’s perspective (what it means or can do for Him). I had
battled in my own mind and heart for many years about the “theology” of prayer, what it
is and what it means, when I sensed the Lord begin to lead me on a journey of discovery.
I have not completed this journey, but I have come to a better understanding of what
prayer is and it’s true nature of being a vehicle for a deep relationship with Him, rather
than simply a means to acquire favors from Him. My hope and prayer is that sharing
what I’ve found thus far, will help others along their own journey of discovery to a
relationship with Jesus Christ in the “Secret Place of the Most High.”
prayer is and it’s true nature of being a vehicle for a deep relationship with Him, rather
than simply a means to acquire favors from Him. My hope and prayer is that sharing
what I’ve found thus far, will help others along their own journey of discovery to a
relationship with Jesus Christ in the “Secret Place of the Most High.”
When I initially began this journey, the Lord showed me that our relationship was going
to be foundationally based on one passage of scripture: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(Matthew 22:37)." This was simple, yet very profound. I soon learned that everything I
was in Him and did for Him would flow FROM the fulfillment of that truth as it was
manifested in my life, even to the fulfilling of the second portion of that scripture,
"…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (v39)” In verse 40, Jesus then said,
basically, that everything hinges on those truths; "On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets." What else is there that would solve humanity's problematic
existence other than obedience to those commandments?
to be foundationally based on one passage of scripture: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(Matthew 22:37)." This was simple, yet very profound. I soon learned that everything I
was in Him and did for Him would flow FROM the fulfillment of that truth as it was
manifested in my life, even to the fulfilling of the second portion of that scripture,
"…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (v39)” In verse 40, Jesus then said,
basically, that everything hinges on those truths; "On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets." What else is there that would solve humanity's problematic
existence other than obedience to those commandments?
During this journey, I’ve come to believe there are three basic levels or dimensions in
which people relate to the Lord. I refer to these as the dimension of Necessity, the
dimension of Duty and the dimension of Privilege.
which people relate to the Lord. I refer to these as the dimension of Necessity, the
dimension of Duty and the dimension of Privilege.
The dimension of Necessity is the level where we interact with God on a "need" or, we
might even say, a “convenience” basis. Consider the parable of the unjust judge in Luke
18:1-7. If we were to look past what seems to be a teaching on importunity, we can see
that there was a relationship that existed between the woman and the judge. It was a
relationship based solely on a particular need. She did have a serious need, and he was
the only one that could meet it. But, the woman probably never interacted with the judge
beyond that level or that need. How does that compare with our own relationship with
the Lord? Does our continual coming to Him, with nothing more than our needs leave
Him weary?
might even say, a “convenience” basis. Consider the parable of the unjust judge in Luke
18:1-7. If we were to look past what seems to be a teaching on importunity, we can see
that there was a relationship that existed between the woman and the judge. It was a
relationship based solely on a particular need. She did have a serious need, and he was
the only one that could meet it. But, the woman probably never interacted with the judge
beyond that level or that need. How does that compare with our own relationship with
the Lord? Does our continual coming to Him, with nothing more than our needs leave
Him weary?
Notice John chapter 6. The real crux of that chapter is that many people turned and
walked away from Jesus because they wanted only to have their stomachs filled (or some
physical need met, if you will). He tried and tried to focus their attention on Himself, but
they would have none of it. We are challenged every day with the same question He
asked His disciples, "Will ye also go away?” Will we refuse to have anything to do with
Him if He doesn’t pump our stomachs full with ALL our desires?
walked away from Jesus because they wanted only to have their stomachs filled (or some
physical need met, if you will). He tried and tried to focus their attention on Himself, but
they would have none of it. We are challenged every day with the same question He
asked His disciples, "Will ye also go away?” Will we refuse to have anything to do with
Him if He doesn’t pump our stomachs full with ALL our desires?
The second dimension of interaction with the Lord is that of "duty" or "obligation". In
Luke 11:5-8, we read the parable of the load at midnight. Beyond the message of
importunity in these verses is another interesting relationship. It is an intercessory
relationship between two of them, and a business type relationship between the two
neighbors. The one asking for the loaves was required by Jewish custom to provide his
visitor with a fresh loaf of uncut bread. If he were unable, it would have brought a
reproach upon his family. So, since he didn't have a loaf, he had to make intercession to
his other friend. It’s interesting to note that the word "friend" in these verses really
describe a relationship of duty, as one who would arrange another's wedding, even to the
point of selecting the bride. (Wow, what a friend, indeed!). So, these "friends" likely
never interacted on any level other than one of business dealings. Again, how does this
compare with our own relationship with the Lord? Do we only interact with Him in order
to conduct business or to satisfy an obligation or duty to someone else?
Luke 11:5-8, we read the parable of the load at midnight. Beyond the message of
importunity in these verses is another interesting relationship. It is an intercessory
relationship between two of them, and a business type relationship between the two
neighbors. The one asking for the loaves was required by Jewish custom to provide his
visitor with a fresh loaf of uncut bread. If he were unable, it would have brought a
reproach upon his family. So, since he didn't have a loaf, he had to make intercession to
his other friend. It’s interesting to note that the word "friend" in these verses really
describe a relationship of duty, as one who would arrange another's wedding, even to the
point of selecting the bride. (Wow, what a friend, indeed!). So, these "friends" likely
never interacted on any level other than one of business dealings. Again, how does this
compare with our own relationship with the Lord? Do we only interact with Him in order
to conduct business or to satisfy an obligation or duty to someone else?
Now, consider the great man of God, Moses. I don't think anyone would argue that he
had a tremendous and unique relationship with God. It is very interesting to note all of
the things that Moses experienced from Exodus chapter 3 to about chapter 33. I would
dare say that Moses had an absolutely extraordinary relationship with God. But, even for
everything he had experienced—miracles, deliverance—something happened to him in
chapter 33—he came to the realization that there was something missing in his
relationship. Look what he said in Exodus 33:13, "...that I may know thee..." and in
Exodus 33:18, "...shew me thy glory." In Exodus 33:20 the Lord replied, "...Thou canst
not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." How strong is our own desire
to see the glory of God? Could we say even to the degree of giving up our very
existence?
had a tremendous and unique relationship with God. It is very interesting to note all of
the things that Moses experienced from Exodus chapter 3 to about chapter 33. I would
dare say that Moses had an absolutely extraordinary relationship with God. But, even for
everything he had experienced—miracles, deliverance—something happened to him in
chapter 33—he came to the realization that there was something missing in his
relationship. Look what he said in Exodus 33:13, "...that I may know thee..." and in
Exodus 33:18, "...shew me thy glory." In Exodus 33:20 the Lord replied, "...Thou canst
not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." How strong is our own desire
to see the glory of God? Could we say even to the degree of giving up our very
existence?
The third dimension is the dimension of "privilege" or what I sometimes refer to as the
LOVE dimension. This level of relationship can be seen in the life of David over and
over again. We can sense the deep, heartfelt desire to connect with God in passages like
Psalms 27:8, "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face,
LORD, will I seek." Similar examples can be found in Psalms 63, and one that should be
very familiar, Psalms 42:1, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my
soul after thee, O God." Does it sound like David was a man after God's own heart?
One of my favorite scriptures is Luke 10:38-42 where we're told the infamous story of
Mary and Martha. Mary sat at Jesus' feet with all of her focus on Him, while Martha
busied herself in the kitchen. Martha got mad and told Jesus to tell Mary to help her with
serving, to which Jesus responded, "...Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about
many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall
not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:41-42)" Mary seemed to have found the preferable
activity, sitting at His feet, desiring only to be in His presence and worship Him. So the
question for us in our relationship is, are we seeking stuff or a person? Are we seeking
work or worship? Not that work is wrong, but even the work of the Lord can get in the
way of our worship, which I believe was the case with Martha.
LOVE dimension. This level of relationship can be seen in the life of David over and
over again. We can sense the deep, heartfelt desire to connect with God in passages like
Psalms 27:8, "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face,
LORD, will I seek." Similar examples can be found in Psalms 63, and one that should be
very familiar, Psalms 42:1, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my
soul after thee, O God." Does it sound like David was a man after God's own heart?
One of my favorite scriptures is Luke 10:38-42 where we're told the infamous story of
Mary and Martha. Mary sat at Jesus' feet with all of her focus on Him, while Martha
busied herself in the kitchen. Martha got mad and told Jesus to tell Mary to help her with
serving, to which Jesus responded, "...Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about
many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall
not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:41-42)" Mary seemed to have found the preferable
activity, sitting at His feet, desiring only to be in His presence and worship Him. So the
question for us in our relationship is, are we seeking stuff or a person? Are we seeking
work or worship? Not that work is wrong, but even the work of the Lord can get in the
way of our worship, which I believe was the case with Martha.
So, what does this specifically have to do with prayer? I have found that the manner in
which a person prays will generally determine the type of relationship he will have or is
reflective of that relationship.which a person prays will generally determine the type of relationship he will have or is
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DallasApple
Depends Upon My Mood..
If we pray only prayers of petition, then we’re praying out of necessity. Our prayers are
focused on ourselves, for our own needs. Does this mean that these prayers are wrong?
Absolutely not! They are ordered and expected by the Lord. Psalms 34:15 says, "The
eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." There are
times when we have intense personal needs, and we must cry out to God. But, what kind
of relationship would we have with the Lord if this were our only type of communication
with Him? What would our relationship with our spouses be like if the only time we
talked to them was when we needed something?
focused on ourselves, for our own needs. Does this mean that these prayers are wrong?
Absolutely not! They are ordered and expected by the Lord. Psalms 34:15 says, "The
eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." There are
times when we have intense personal needs, and we must cry out to God. But, what kind
of relationship would we have with the Lord if this were our only type of communication
with Him? What would our relationship with our spouses be like if the only time we
talked to them was when we needed something?
If we pray only prayers of intercession, then we’re praying from the dimension of duty or
from an obligatory perspective. We ARE doing a good thing, though, in praying for the
needs of others, right? Yes, and it's also ordered and expected by the Lord. Paul told the
Church in Colossians 1:9, that "…we...do not cease to pray for you…" But again, what
kind of relationship would we have if we only approached God when someone else
needed something. How would our spouses feel if we only talked to them when the
children needed something or there was some family business to discuss?
from an obligatory perspective. We ARE doing a good thing, though, in praying for the
needs of others, right? Yes, and it's also ordered and expected by the Lord. Paul told the
Church in Colossians 1:9, that "…we...do not cease to pray for you…" But again, what
kind of relationship would we have if we only approached God when someone else
needed something. How would our spouses feel if we only talked to them when the
children needed something or there was some family business to discuss?
Finally, there are prayers that are our delight and privilege, spoken from a simple attitude
of love, to which I believe E.M. Bounds spoke when he said, "God's acquaintance is not
made hurriedly. He does not bestow His gifts on the casual or hasty comer or goer. To
be MUCH ALONE with God is the secret of knowing Him and of influence with Him."1
I believe it's in the privilege dimension that we transcend from the "need to" and the
"have to" to the "want to". It’s in this dimension that we spend much time alone with
Him in worship, thanksgiving, meditation and waiting on Him. This is where our focus is
completely off of others and ourselves and completely turned to Him, actually becoming
a ministry to the Lord, seeking to minister to His needs and desires in loving adoration,
seeking solely after His purpose and agenda.
of love, to which I believe E.M. Bounds spoke when he said, "God's acquaintance is not
made hurriedly. He does not bestow His gifts on the casual or hasty comer or goer. To
be MUCH ALONE with God is the secret of knowing Him and of influence with Him."1
I believe it's in the privilege dimension that we transcend from the "need to" and the
"have to" to the "want to". It’s in this dimension that we spend much time alone with
Him in worship, thanksgiving, meditation and waiting on Him. This is where our focus is
completely off of others and ourselves and completely turned to Him, actually becoming
a ministry to the Lord, seeking to minister to His needs and desires in loving adoration,
seeking solely after His purpose and agenda.
It seems strange to me that we, as humans, find it extremely difficult to comprehend that
the Lord has needs, wants, and desires just as we do—not the physical, of course, but the
emotional (we are after all, created in His image). That's why He desires to fellowship
with His people—a fellowship that He can not or will not get elsewhere. And, we all too
often deny Him that fellowship. That’s why our time with the Lord is boring and
mundane, and is such hard work for us, most of the time.
the Lord has needs, wants, and desires just as we do—not the physical, of course, but the
emotional (we are after all, created in His image). That's why He desires to fellowship
with His people—a fellowship that He can not or will not get elsewhere. And, we all too
often deny Him that fellowship. That’s why our time with the Lord is boring and
mundane, and is such hard work for us, most of the time.
Over the years, I've noticed that most people spend about 90% of their prayer time
petitioning and interceding and probably only 10% of their time in ministry to the Lord.
We push, prime, grunt, groan, struggle and fight, when all we really need is the flow of
the Spirit through our lives.
petitioning and interceding and probably only 10% of their time in ministry to the Lord.
We push, prime, grunt, groan, struggle and fight, when all we really need is the flow of
the Spirit through our lives.
If we were to reverse that 90/10 split, spending 10% of our time petitioning and
interceding, and 90% of our time ministering to the Lord, I believe we'd soon find
ourselves without the need to petition as much and as often. We’d likely also find that
1 Quoted in Bruce A. Lazarus, In Search of the Secret Place, (Memphis: unpublished, 1999-2002)interceding, and 90% of our time ministering to the Lord, I believe we'd soon find
ourselves without the need to petition as much and as often. We’d likely also find that
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Jeremy Mason
Well-Known Member
Welcome to a journey that will fill your mind and heart with truth.
Master Vigil
Well-Known Member
Find god in the flowing of the stream, and in the silence of the wind. Above all, prayer should be about bringing one closer to god, not about bringing god closer to you. What I mean by that, is we as humans must try to change ourselves to emulate god and not change god to emulate ourselves.
Good luck with your search, and God bless!
Good luck with your search, and God bless!