#CHURCHTALK 22: Understanding the purpose of Christian prayer

Prayer is a very important part of Christian service and worship. Basically, it is how Christians communicate with God, either in a corporate setting, or in a private one.

Corporate prayer is made during congregational worship, or between more than one (1) believer. But private prayer is made on an individual basis. In both settings, the key thing is heartfelt communication with God.

Corporate and Private prayers | Source: Pexels and Pixabay

In the New Testament, the story is told in the Gospels, of how Jesus Christ prayed in the presence of His disciples. That prayer is recorded in the gospel according to Matthew 6:9-13, and is regarded as the model prayer by Christians.

However, spontenaiety, not stereotypical recitations, are highly encouraged during prayer, especially by most non-orthodox churches.

Also, in the apostolic epistles to various churches, believers were commanded to spend time regularly in prayer, and to do so cheerfully and zealously.

However, to many, including some Christians, the very concept of prayer itself is not fully understood, as well as what it is intended to achieve in the life of the person who prays. In today's, edition of #ChurchTalk, we share points about these and more.

What is prayer? 

Prayer is the expression of thoughts and desires between man and God. It is a medium of worship and exchange between God and man: We give Him our fears and cares, and He gives us His peace and solution.

Prayer is a non-transferable responsibility of the spiritual man/woman. People can pray for you; but you need to pray also, for yourself and for others too.

Source: Pexels

What does prayer achieve? 

1.   Prayer waters or irrigates your connection with God. It is a place of worship.

2.   Prayer leads to the discovery of the will, plan and purpose of God. At the place of prayer, divine blueprint is discovered and aligned with.

3.   Prayer achieves intervention (i.e. standing in the gap for others).

4.   At thr place of prayer, man comes to the end of himself (his efforts, struggles, strengths, etc), and comes to the beginning of God (His strength, grace, instruction and power)

5.   At the place of prayer, we enforce the will, plan and purpose of God for our lives. It is the place of taking delivery of your portion in God.

6.   At the place of prayer, there is purification from the stains of the world (i.e. it's thought processes, mindsets, ideologies, pleasures, etc).

7.   Prayer achieves the restoration and cleansing of life. It is the place of spiritual realignment.

Pastor Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Center

Advise on how to pray

James 5:17 [KJV] 
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

1.   Pray realistically, not as a religious rite. Pour out your passions and truest thoughts and desires to God in prayer, knowing that He hears you.

2.   Pray earnestly. Concentrate. Be serious about it.

3.   Pray specifically. Elias asked that rain should not fall. That was specific. Be specific too when you pray. If you're specific when praying, you'll know when the answer has come.

4.   Pray perpetually. Pray always, and about every thing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
17. Pray without ceasing.
18. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


Today's edition of #ChurchTalk is an excerpt of the message delivered by the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Center, Pastor Dr. Paul Enenche, at The Glory Dome headquarters, Abuja.

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