One of my favorite books of the bible is Psalms. It is filled with both the songs and prayers of David. It is also a great example of some of the reasons we pray to God. Five are specifically mentioned in Psalms; petitions (Ps 13), repentance (Ps 32) , intercession (Ps 20), thanksgiving (Ps 9) and adoration. (Ps 8). No matter our emotional state, whether we are feeling down or we are flying high, we can come to God in prayer.
I think today, we mostly come to God when we are feeling down. We tend to become more prayerful when we want something or need something or when we are feeling depressed, we might not pray at all. While I believe that God wants to communicate with us at all times; we don’t tend to share that same enthusiasm for conversation with Him.
As I wrote before, prayer doesn’t have to be complex. It can and often is a simple thing. Words spoken to our Creator.
Our Posture Before God
Most people think of prayer as being something done while on your knees. I am sure you have seen the picture of a child kneeling next to the bed, head bowed, hands clasped with an angel standing nearby. While this is a great visual, often, by the time we get to adulthood, we put away ‘childish things’ – for some people this may mean prayer.
Prayer isn’t something we should teach by rote to our children. As they grow up, and hit their teenage years, it may become something they “put away”. We need to teach our children and remind ourselves, that WE are HIS children – always. We need to remember that prayer is our conversation with our Heavenly Father. Therefore we need to remember how important it is that we pray.
Wondering what position, you are supposed to be in when you pray?
The Bible shows us that it can be varied.
- kneeling (Ps 95:6) (Eph 3:14)
- standing (Ne 9:5) (Mark 11:25)
- bowing (PS 5:7)
- walking (2 Kings 4:35)
- lying prostrate (Ne 8:6) (Matthew 26:39)
- lifted hands (Ps 141:2) (1 Tim 2:8)
- sitting (1 Chronicles 17:16-27)
- Eyes lifted up (John 17:1)
Even more important than the physical position we find ourselves in when we pray is the posture of our hearts. We need to come to God with a humble spirit. We shouldn’t be putting on a show for others when we pray, but act in humility, recognizing who we are in Christ.
Whether our prayers are done in silence (Ps 46:10), with lifted voices (Acts 4:24) or crying out loud (Ps 55:17); we need to remember that God sees our hearts. (1 Samuel 16:7). He knows who we are, for He created us. He knows why we are before Him and what our true attitude is.
Interceding on the behalf of others
Perhaps you have heard the term “prayer warrior” and are comparing yourself to that or want to learn more. What is a prayer warrior? We are all called to pray so what makes them “so special”. In truth, anyone can be a prayer warrior. It is a title that is used for those who are constantly praying in the spirit for others.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We know that there is a war going on in the Heavens. We recognize this, while some may live in denial, we know from God’s word. God raises up prayer warriors “for such a time as this”. People who seek to know God’s heart fully – who realize that we are just strangers in a strange land and although we are passing through, it is their desire to look beyond their feelings, the feelings of the people around them, and to know what breaks God’s heart; to know how to intercede in prayer.
Standing in the Gap
Knowing God’s heart. Believing in the power of prayer. Praying to intervene on the behalf of others. Praying God’s word and God’s will. Putting on the whole armor of God. Understanding that prayer is a direct communication and conversation with our Heavenly Father. These are some of the things that make up a prayer warrior.
One of the best ways I have seen this described:
Putting away what we believe is best, our agenda, for God’s agenda.
Examples of Prayer Warriors in the Bible
We know that Esther, when she became queen, fasted and prayed. She was reminded that God had placed her in the position she was for “such a time as this“. (Esther 4:14.) She was there so she could intercede on the behalf of and with her people (the Jews to prevent extermination). She went boldly before the king to save them.
Daniel interceded on the behalf of his people. (Daniel 9). When reading this chapter, you may see the correlation to Daniel’s prayer for his people and the prayer we need to be praying today. We need to turn to God not away from Him.
Abraham interceded for Sodom on behalf of his nephew Lot. (Gen 18:16-33) He negotiated with the Lord to save the city if 10 righteous people could be found. He managed to save his nephew, but not the city. (Ever wonder what happens when an entire nation turns away from God?)
Prayer warriors are agents of change
Praying creates a catalyst for change in the spiritual realm. When change occurs there it then creates transformation in the physical realm. This is how we win these battles. By prayer and fasting. It is a ministry. A calling. We aren’t all meant to do the same thing. Some of us are the hands, some of us are the feet – no matter what part of the body you are, we are all part of one body. The body of Christ.
All of us should pray
As believers we should pray so that we draw closer to God. We strengthen our faith. We find solace in His presence. We find strength to move from moment to moment and day to day.
Yes, some of us are prayer warriors. Called to intercede on the behalf of others, to seek God’s will and know His heart in how we should be praying. Anyone can be a prayer warrior. It is spending more than just personal time with God – it is the pull of the heart to put away who we are and our agenda in exchange for His agenda. Where we not only recognize, but acknowledge, that there is a spiritual war going on. Realizing that we are all a part of it.
We see war in our lives every day. Some of us are closer to the wars than others. We have soldiers who go out and fight on our behalf. They create the front line for our benefit. They work to protect us by being willing to stand up and fight when required. What a soldier does in the physical realm is what a prayer warrior does in the spiritual realm.
Whether your prayers are for yourself, the direction and path God will take you or whether they are more focused on intercession – no matter where your prayer life is right now or where it leads you; one of the greatest gifts God gave us was the ability to communicate directly with Him. Don’t feel as if you can’t come before Him with your struggles and fears. Give Him your depression and worries. Cast all your cares on Him. While doing so, you will find yourself not only drawing closer to Him, but your faith and strength will grow too.