A Christian hymn says “Take it to the Lord in prayer.” The Bible shows us how prayer is a wonderful resource that the Father gives us to do good in this life. It is all through Jesus Christ, His Son.Acts 12:5:
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
This is a great model of prayer for specific supplications.
Supplication: get Peter out of prison
How long to pray: without ceasing until it comes to pass
Who prays: the church, believers in Christ.
To Whom we pray: God our Father
Object of prayer: those in need
Here is what the New Testament says about specific supplications to the Father. Notice that these specific requests are accompanied with “prayer,” a total trust in God’s ability through Christ to meet our needs.
Acts 1:14:
These all continued with one accord in prayer and SUPPLICATION, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
POINT ONE: They were in ONE ACCORD. Praying with another believer for what you need is a “force multiplier” because we are “symphonized” as Jesus taught.
Ephesians 6:18 :
Praying always with all prayer and SUPPLICATION in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
POINT TWO: Paul told the Corinthians that speaking in tongues is “praying in the spirit.” Here, the Ephesians are encouraged to do the same as part of the whole “armor of God.” In Christ, we pray as directed by the spirit, which could include WHAT to pray for with our understanding as well.
Philippians 4:6:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and SUPPLICATION with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
POINT THREE: First, we are NOT anxious or worried when we go to the Father. We KNOW that He promises to supply ALL our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus [Philippians 4:19]. He says that He will make ALL grace abound to us so that we always have all sufficiency in all things to abound to every good work [2 Corinthians 9:8]. So we THANKFULLY let the Father know what is on our heart. As Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 6, the Father ALREADY knows what we need. We just acknowledge His presence and power in us through the risen Christ, our Lord!
1 Timothy 2:1:
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, SUPPLICATIONS, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.
POINT FOUR: Prayer is of PRIMARY importance. They are FIRST OF ALL in our lives. That’s how we open and close each day: in prayer and thankfulness for the Father’s blessings in Christ. And we are no respecter of persons; we pray for all those whom the Father directs us to make intercession for. That includes church and government leaders and friends.
1 Timothy 5:5:
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in SUPPLICATIONS and prayers night and day.
POINT FIVE: Those believers who don’t have other personal commitments to a job or family have TIME to pray. They trust God for THEIR SUFFICIENCY and continually pray for others with a thankful heart. As we grow older in this life, we may find that prayer becomes an EVEN BIGGER part of our lives.
Hebrews 5:7:
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and SUPPLICATIONS with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.
Jesus Christ is ALWAYS OUR GREATEST EXAMPLE OF WALKING WITH THE FATHER. Here we see that he opened his heart to the Father, and accepted death on the cross, even though he asked if there was any other way to redeem man and fulfill the prophesy of a suffering Savior in Isaiah 53. The Father HEARD HIM AND RAISED HIM TO NEW LIFE, because God is faithful.
One final note. We always pray with the authority God gave Jesus as Lord of all. We pray in HIS NAME.
John 16:23,24:
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father IN MY NAME, he will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing IN MY NAME: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Ephesians 5:20:
Giving thanks ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS unto God and the Father in the NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Amen. I love you.
