HOW DO I PRAY

[RICO]

WHAT CAN ONE OFFER GOD IN ORDER TO RECEIVE BLESSINGS...AND HOW DO YOU OFFER...AND THE MOST IMPORTANT, WHAT DO YOU SAY....

[Carla]

Hi Rico,

Welcome!

Your question is of great significance!

God Loves you. He desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us. That can sound foreign or strange to anyone who does not know Him....but for those who do know Him, it is our most treasured relationship, and our Greatest Joy! The fullness of the Holy Spirit, and the Joy that He offers through Jesus...His Gift of Salvation is available to all of us....It is freely given. For some people, it is difficult to receive it. We are accustomed to the ways of the world, where True Love is not shown, and nothing is free. God Loves us Freely because that is who He is, He does not know how to be any other way...

Question: WHAT CAN ONE OFFER GOD ?
Answer: Yourself, totally devoted to Him.

Question: .....IN ORDER TO RECEIVE BLESSINGS?
Answer: What are your motives? a personal relationship with Christ as your Saviour...or His Blessings? His Grace is sufficient!

Question: HOW DO YOU OFFER?
Answer: Surrender to His Will and be obedient

Question: WHAT DO YOU SAY
Answer: You say whatever is on your heart and mind. What would you say to your most trusted confident? God knows exactly what you are thinking anyway...Trust in Him, He is faithful and filled with Mercy and Compassion. He loves you! Not because of what you have or haven't done, He loves you because that is who He is.

I hope this helps you...

Blessings, Carla

[Bev]

Thank you Carla, your timing is perfect.....as always.

[Carla]

God's timing! :)

[Bev]

Hahaha...I knew you were going to say that....my bad, God's timing your assistance!!

[Ron Payne]

Hi Rico,

Gideon of Old Testament times, was known to bargain with God. But I do believe that God is not into "If I then will you" type of prayers. God already knows how faithful your promises would be, hence it is better left to the will of God on what He wants for your life. After all who better than God to know your needs.

Yes! Sometimes we do need to express our faith by making requests but we must always keep in mind that what we ask for, no matter how useful and faith building the object of our request may be..... God may not agree. The timing might be wrong, your enthusiasm may be misplaced or even your reasoning may be faulty. Therefore it is always best to leave it to God: "Thy Will be done".

I find that the prayers of worship and praise lift my own spirit up, this comes I believe, from God Himself. Psalms are a good place to start in prayers of Praise and worship.

As you come across excellent verses of praise in Psalms, then why not memorise the verse?
Once you have a fair number of these under your belt, the Holy Spirit will bring some of them to your remembrance as you pray and you will find that the verses you quote will blend in beautifully with what you are praising God For. Other verses memorised will be used as the Holy Spirit See's fit to use them on other occasions.

In this way, you will find that anything worrying you or any needs you may have, will be met, without having to specifically ask. You will also find that once you have established a prayer habit of praise and worship, you will have far more freedom to place requests, when real needs are important and have to be asked. WHY! Because you will have a clear conscience in that you will know that asking for anything is not the only prayer you always undertake.....

The words of James:"Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. James 4:2

This verse is very enlightening when the whole verse is taken into context. The world is inclined towards taking things by force rather than asking for it.
Also when we ask and feel that it should simply be given to us by some miracle or other, chances are we will not get it.
But should one be prepared strive for it and work towards it, then should we also ask to obtain it by means prayer, and work, it then becomes quite within our reach get it. particularly if it would be for our good. But if it is withheld, it will be because it is best for us, that it should not be ours.
Again - "God's Will will be done."

I wish you all the joy and freedom that your prayers of Praise and worship open up to you.

Ron.

Just a thought. "If you are, or were the Father of children who always told everyone how wonderful you were, yet seldom asked for anything.... Wouldn't you be on a continual look out to see that ALL their needs, toys or clothes, education and love were always met? Always removing obstacle that might harm them? I am sure you would be.

[LT]

Rico,

Carla and Ron have given you some excellent advise.

Lord Bless,
LT

[littlesheep88]

Fasting and Prayer. Speak to God like you would speak to anyone else. He cares about you coming to Him with your worries and your cares. He wants to help you in every way. Jesus died so we can have life and have it more abundantly. Fasting and prayer are a dynamic duo that can break the bonds of darkness in your life and open the doors of countless blessing to be poured into your life. Fasting + Prayer= God's plan revealed in you and a closeness to Him. Fasting and Prayer never fails. Be lead by the Holy Spirit, He will guide you as well. God Bless!!

[RICO]

thank you...Why fasting and for how long. Do you have to actually cleanse your body first in order to be closer to God, is that why we have to do fasting...I am going through a lots of bumps in my life right now...and I hate myself, because I only look for God when I am going through depression or feeling left out...I need to change my way...thanks for your help and God Bless...

[Charlene]

Hi Rico, Fasting is excellent because as your flesh gets weaker you become more atuned spiritually and that plus prayer will open up doors, i am currently undergoing my first fast it was a 21 day and i am on day 16 and i can tell you I have been hearing from God EVERYDAY of this fast so far, everything from confirmations to revelations and sometimes this is thru HIS word, His music or somebody else, the LORD is strong and mighty and makes Himself known, you can start off as small as a 3 day fast, its mostly about making a sacrifice and making it to the Glory of God, and dont be depressed or hate yourself Rico, God knows our hearts and He knows we love Him, Its just sometimes we get overwhelmed by the roar of the waves in this life, dont be depressed for not reaching out to Him in the past just start reaching out to Him and seeking Him daily, He gave you another day to give you another chance and i just kno that you are gonna be WONDERFUL, because you are Beautifully and Wondefully made

[RICO]

Thank you...but when you're fasting...you mean water only...I want to try...but I am scared of dropping dead....

[Charlene]

I am so sorry rico i left out the diffrent kinds of fasting, i am doing a partial fast from sun up to sundown, but you can also skip a meal and replace it with prayer, the point is to make that sacrifice and replace it with prayer, you can lso do a daniel fast which is vegetables and water, didnt mean to scare you!!

[Carla]

Hi Rico,

If you decide to enter into a fast, make sure you are in a position to pray. Your strength comes from God and not from yourself.

Do not enter into it blindly, make sure you look into it more before committing. There are some more posts here in the forum about fasting and prayer. I know LT also has some great info on the subject (not to put LT on the spot) but he will be able to help you. :)

Rico, do you have a Pastor you can speak to where you are. It sounds like you may benefit by talking to someone face to face. The internet here is great, but there is no online accountability. Your Pastor should be able to connect you with a group of Christ Followers who can pray for you regularly, and support you (in person) in your Christian walk. Don't get me wrong..This site is great (one of my fave places to hang out)...but you also need face to face fellowship.

Constant fellowship is very important.

Rico, do you read your bible? If not, there are also bible study groups you can join online here to help you learn and grow.

Love and Blessings, Carla