Dynamics of Prayer: What Happens When We Pray

Dynamics of Prayer: What Happens When We Pray

Prayer is a spiritual practice and a powerful tool, governed by spiritual laws. It is a weapon bestowed upon us by God. It isn't a one-size-fits-all concept; prayer comes in various forms and has different guidelines. Different types of prayers require distinct approaches: some involve presenting oneself before the court of heaven, others incorporate fasting, some must be said at specific times, and some necessitate agreement with fellow believers. However, there are also prayers where none of these guidelines are applicable, and faith alone is deemed sufficient.

    The Bible tells us, 'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds' (2 Corinthians 10:4). What does this scripture mean? It means that prayer, being spiritual and not of this world, possesses the power to demolish strongholds. But what exactly are these strongholds? They represent conflict—anything opposing God’s word in our lives. The good news is that prayer has the remarkable ability to address and resolve these conflicts. To shed a little light: Your conflict is not of a physical nature; it originates from the spiritual realm. This is why Scripture emphasizes that 'the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,' acknowledging that conflicts often stem from the spiritual realm underscores the importance of prayer in equipping us to address these issues proactively. Through prayer, we gain the empowerment needed to confront and resolve conflicts at their spiritual roots before they manifest as physical discord. Even when conflicts manifest in the physical realm, prayer remains the essential tool for resolution, as countless believers have experienced. This illustrates the transformative potency inherent in prayer. 

    In our prayers, we often seek God's assistance through either petition or intercession, both of which involve asking for help—whether to prevent or resolve a situation. In my previous blog post titled 'What is Prayer?', I recommend reading it to gain a fundamental understanding of prayer. In that post, I delve into the concept of prayer as a conversation with God. What does it mean to converse with God? It starts with expressing gratitude and worship for His goodness. Then, you bring your petitions or intercessions before Him. He listens carefully and responds by offering guidance, either through imparting wisdom or intervening supernaturally. This encapsulates the essence of prayer.

    In essence, prayer serves as our means of communication with God, enabling us to align our desires with His will on earth as it is in heaven. Throughout the Bible, Jesus and the patriarchs demonstrated a commitment to prayer, consistently seeking God's guidance. However, prayer is not merely a one-sided conversation; it embodies a lifestyle—a dynamic exchange involving both speaking to God and listening for His guidance. As bearers of God's image and essence, we are intimately connected to Him. Recognizing this connection, God has established a relationship with us, entrusting us with dominion over the earth. Through prayer, He collaborates with us to fulfill His will on earth. Ultimately, our relationship with God, focused on bringing His will to fruition on earth, epitomizes the true essence of pure prayer.

    Why did I take the time to explain this to you? It's to emphasize your significance. Your purpose is to fulfill God's will, no matter the specific task or calling He assigns you. The ultimate aim is for 'thy kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven,' and prayer is where it all begins. Prayer is essential; nothing happens on earth without it. Both you and I, as living beings, can pray, unlike the deceased. That's why we're entrusted with dominion over the earth, granted authority by Christ, and bestowed with the Holy Spirit. God's will must prevail.

    Now that we've grasped the essence of prayer and its importance, let's delve into its dynamics. Prayer isn't just a simple act; it's stepping onto a spiritual battlefield, partnering with God to see His will realized on earth. However, this isn't without opposition—the devil actively fights against it. Sadly, many believers falter due to ignorance, ineffective prayers, or worse, neglecting prayer altogether. It's crucial to remember that God, our loving Father, is faithful and cares deeply for us. He promises good plans for our future and encourages us to prioritize His kingdom and righteousness, knowing that He'll meet all our needs. He provides for us abundantly, caring for us even more than He does for His creation. He proved our worth by sacrificing His Son for us (Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 6:8, 25-34, Romans 8:32).

   Essentially, fulfilling our needs is part of God's will, rewarding our obedience since He already knows them before we pray. However, He urges us to prioritize Him first, assuring us that He will take care of our needs. That's why praying with Scripture and adhering to His teachings proves highly effective—it aligns with His will. The genuine path to effective prayer lies in seeking His will. How do we accomplish this? By immersing ourselves in His word, the Bible. There's simply no bypassing it. Reading the Bible provides insight into God's nature and how to please Him, discern His will, and follow His guidance. Additionally, forging a relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial. He is the one who grants us the understanding of God's word, teaches us, and directs our prayers—when to pray, what type of prayer to offer, and how to pray effectively.

    When you choose to seek God’s will through prayer, He guides you through a process of consecration, which includes renewing your mind and experiencing transformation. Your focus shifts from self to God, as you are being prepared to serve as a priest to Him. This process equips you for spiritual battles, and the lessons are learned through experiential encounters. Through this journey, you come to understand how God operates, discern His guidance, and develop a deeper trust in Him. Frankly, He leaves you no other option but to rely on Him, thus building your trust and allowing you to witness His saving grace firsthand, affirming His sovereignty.

    When you step into the realm of prayer, entering the battlefield of spiritual warfare, you encounter a plain where the rules of engagement are both spiritual and legalistic. These rules are only unveiled to you by the Holy Spirit as a result of your consecration and relationship with Him. Although these rules are present in scripture, they remain veiled until the Spirit reveals them to you. Recall the scripture that speaks of hearts has grown dull, hindering perception and understanding (Acts 28:26-27, Jeremiah 5:21, Ezekiel 12:2), we have ears that cannot hear and eyes that cannot see things of the spirit realm. God intentionally withholds this knowledge to draw our attention back to our purpose. Sometimes, if we persist in ignoring His call, He may allow us to have a reprobate mind (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). However, when we yield to Him, our spiritual senses are awakened, and we are activated to receive spiritual help such as angels, dreams, visions, direction, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Ephesians 1:18, Job 42:4-6). We gain clarity in interpreting our dreams and visions, activating our gifts, and receiving guidance from specific scriptures that direct our ministering angels to act on our behalf. This enlightenment allows us to understand the rules of engagement, equipping us to pray effectively. When we pray, we are equipped with the knowledge of our target and how to address it, as we understand the rules of engagement.

    When you commit to prayer, you reach a point where the Holy Spirit guides you to pray in line with God's will. This mirrors what Scripture (Romans 8:26-27) says about the Spirit praying for us in accordance with God's plan. Only those devoted to prayer can genuinely host God's presence, becoming true priests of His. And where God dwells, there is liberty, and freedom from bondage (2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1).

    When you engage in prayer, it's essential to do so with the right approach (righteousness) because the spiritual realm operates by strict rules. The adversary, the devil, is there to exploit any infractions and mount counterattacks. God, being just, adheres to the rules He has established in the spiritual realm—rules that both good and bad spirits must follow. His word serves as the law in this domain.

    Alright, folks, In a nutshell, this is the essence of prayer and what unfolds during prayer. It's important to remember that you're not in sole control of your actions. There are two spirits at play, and you are influenced by either one (Romans 6:16): the Holy Spirit or the evil spirit. The devil, recognized as the God of this world, orchestrates circumstances to hinder you from fulfilling God’s will (Ephesians 2:2, John 16:11, John 10:10, Romans 7:15-23, James 3:2). He exerts every effort to render your prayers ineffective by throwing obstacles your way to distract you or sow doubt in the effectiveness of prayer. It's crucial to bear in mind that the Bible doesn't promise a trouble-free world; rather, it prepares us to face adversity, equipping us to overcome it (John 16:33). We must remain steadfast in Christ Jesus, seeking God’s presence for protection and not succumbing to the devil’s schemes (1 John 3:6, John 15:4, 7, 10, 1 John 2:6). Scripture admonishes us to be strong in the Lord and rely on His power to resist the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18).

    As a believer, it is your duty to pray and bring forth God’s presence on earth through your altar, serving as a vessel to Him, a priest in His service. It is imperative that God’s will be fulfilled, and the culture of His kingdom be made known. You play a vital role as a representative of God, bringing His kingdom's values into the world. Embrace the decision to commit yourself to prayer.

    When you align with God's will, He supports, protects, and takes care of you, as evidenced in the scriptures where He cared for the Israelites when they were obedient. Embrace the decision to commit yourself to prayer, and stay tuned for part 2, Understanding the spiritual realm—the essence of prayer's depth and significance.

Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.