“Also [Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to “turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up)” (Luke 18:1) AMP
Of all of the subjects in the Word of God, I believe prayer would have to be considered one of the very most important. If someone asks you what prayer is, how will you answer?
To begin, let’s look at an Hebraic definition.
The Old Testament word for prayer is פָּלַל (pah-lal). Strong’s concordance 6419. פָּ is the 16th letter of the Hebrew alphabet meaning the mouth. ל is the 12th letter of the Hebrew alphabet meaning staff or authority. Combined the word for prayer means: “Speak to authority.”
“Palal (prayer) means to judge. The primary idea of this word is to roll or to revolve, hence to make even by rolling. It means to level with a roller, hence to lay even a cause or arbitrate. Generally, it means to intercede, to supplicate or to pray. Prayer awakens God’s favor.”1 While in prayer one day, the Lord gave me a vision of a rolling pin and a lump of dough. In practical terms, He was showing me what happens when we pray. What a rolling pin is to the lump of dough, so are our prayers to the situation at hand. The lump of dough represents the prayer need and the rolling pin represents our prayers.
Years ago, my mentor shared with me a concept that opened my spiritual eyes: A man or woman is only considered to be alive if he or she prays. Prayer needs to be voluntary, or else our prayers have no value. So, be encouraged today because as you pray, God will certainly answer you.
I want to bring a couple of stories to you from The Word that address prayer … so you may be encouraged.
In Genesis 24:15 we see the beautiful story of Abraham sending out his servant Eliezar to find a wife for his son, Issac. As Eliezar prayed to the God of Heaven, he spoke this prayer, “And let it so be that the girl to whom I say, I pray you, let down your jar that I may drink, and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also’ – let her be the one whom you have selected and appointed.” (Gen. 24:15) (Amp).
Before, Eliezar had even finished his sentence, Rebekah approached and spoke the exact words to him that he was speaking to God. (Gen. 24:15-19) Amazingly, this prayer was answered in specifics before it was fully spoken.
Another story in the Word of God that I trust will give you hope can be found in Acts 22:17-21. Paul was recounting his testimony before the Sanhedrin as he was giving account of his life. Remember, as you pray, God will give you specific directions. This is what Paul told them:
- I was in Jerusalem
- I was praying at the Temple
- I fell into a trance
- I saw the Lord speaking
Paul must have been asking God for directions because He spoke to him and said “Quick, leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.” (Acts. 22:18 & 21) During Paul’s conversation with the LORD, he reminded Him that he had imprisoned and beaten those who believed in Jesus. The Lord specifically spoke to him in prayer again and said, “Leave Jerusalem, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21) (NLT).
The point of these two stories is to remind you that the Lord God WILL speak to you personally and specifically!
The Word of God is filled with so many stories and so much information about prayer, the information couldn’t possibly be covered in a newsletter. So, for you who love to study, here are a few Scriptures that will encourage you.2
- Prayer for protection. Numbers 10:35
- Prayer for rain. 1 Samuel 12:18
- David’s prayer for guidance. 2 Samuel 5:17-19
- Prayer for end of famine. 2 Samuel 21:1
- Prayer for favors to be rendered. Ne. 5:19, 6:14
- Prayer in time of trouble. Psalm 18:6
- Prayer for revival. Psalm 85:1-7
- Idols hinder prayer. Ez. 14:4
- Asking, seeking, knocking. Matt.7:7-8
- Joyful prayer. Phil. 1:4
When you pray, specifically identify your petitions before the Lord. Affirm the Lord and His ability and willingness to answer you. Let your requests be made known before the LORD with thanksgiving.
Join us tomorrow night at OTC to understand more about the Feast of Purim and The Book of Esther.
Much love,
P/Karen
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- The Timothy Program International. When You Pray, Week 24. Karl Coke, Ph.D.
- Bullet point prayer information from, Where to Find It in the Bible. 1996. Ken Anderson. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN.
