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Discussions on Prayer
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Prayer My Thoughts/The Power of Prayer
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Prayer is simply communicating with God—listening and talking to him. Believers can pray from the heart, freely, spontaneously, and in their own words. The Bible has a lot to say about prayer. The first mention of prayer is found in Genesis, chapter 4. Genesis 4:26 “And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD. (NKJV)
There is no correct or certain posture for prayer. In the Bible people prayed on their knees (1 Kings 8:54), bowing (Exodus 4:31), on their faces before God (2 Chronicles 20:18; Matthew 26:39), and standing (1 Kings 8:22). You may pray with your eyes opened or closed, quietly or out loud—however you are most comfortable and least distracted. God looks at the heart not the posture. I feel at home and comfortable on my knees before our Awesome God. I don’t always make to my knees, still I pray. Your prayers need not be wordy or impressive in speech. Matthew 6:7
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again." (NLT) Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (NIV)
In a study about the power of pray during an illness (scientific Study), Debra Williams, D.D. reports; the results of the study are not surprising to those of us who believe in the power of prayer. The patients who had received prayer as a part of the study were healthier than those who had not. The prayed for group had less need of having CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) performed and less need for the use of mechanical ventilators. They had a diminished necessity for diuretics and antibiotics, less occurrences of pulmonary edema, and fewer deaths. Taking all factors into consideration, these results can only be attributed to the power of prayer. Questions of whether prayer could lower blood pressure in high blood pressure sufferers, again the obvious conclusion was reached. A study conducted by Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. This study had over 4,000 participants over the age of 65. The study found that those who pray and attend religious services on a weekly basis, especially those between the ages of 65 and 74, had lower blood pressure than their counterparts who did not pray or attend religious services. They found that the more religious the person, particularly those who prayed or studied the Bible weekly, the lower the blood pressure. According to the study these people were forty percent less likely to have high diastolic pressure or diastolic hypertension than these were who did not attend religious services, pray, or study the Bible.
I pray mainly because I want to have a closer relationship with my Father. I pray because it makes me feel better spiritually, emotionally and physically. I know prayer works I am a 10 year cancer survivor and at that time all I could do was pray, everyday all day 24/7 and God saw me and heard me and answered me! Glory to the Most High God He is the originator of Miracles.
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Yvonne Hambrick 02/20/2013 19:27 |
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Byron Pollock
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03/13/2013 11:26 |
Thanks for your comments Yvonne. Especially that verse from Ecclesiastes 5:2. Gotta think (and pray) on that one.
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Helga
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03/21/2013 06:41 |
So true Ivonne and I like the facts that Prayer changes you from the inside out...Very encouraging...
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