When we pray specifically and expect to hear from the Father, we are praying purposeful prayers. The word purpose can be looked at two different ways. There is purpose that is meaning, the reason of existence, and there is purpose that is intent, the reason of action. Purposeful prayer should have both meaning and intent. When we pray, we should know what we are praying for and with the intention to receive an answer.
Hebrews 11:6 puts it this way, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” You do not diligently do anything by accident; if you do something diligent, it is withpurpose. You do not do anything in faith just out of curiosity, it is always with purpose. Therefore, if we come to Him for an exact cause with the realization we are, in fact, speaking with the Creator of all the universe in person, and that is why we called out to Him, our prayers will always be purposeful.
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22). So, as we pray, let us not undermine the very nature of prayer by lacking purpose. When we ask, it should be intentional, and when we say we believe, we must be sincere. After all, we do not want to insult the Lord by half–heartedly requesting something we don’t really expect to get in the first place.
When you pray, let your requests be made known unto God. Prayer is to be continual, never ending. The best way to add more purpose, more intent, and more meaning to your prayers is to start praying, and pray the best you know how to, right now, and keep on praying. God rewards those who diligently seek Him. He intends for prayer to be for your good and the good of the Church.
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Our Contributor
Contributor: Jonathan Lovvorn, Cleveland, TN
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