Matthew 21:22

NASB	NLT	VOICE
22 And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.”	22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.	22 If you believe, whatever you ask for in prayer will be granted.

The Evolution of Prayer

Hebrews 11:6 states that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” It shows how important belief is in the Christian walk. Jesus just showed his disciples, and us, how his faith could wither a fig tree. This shows us how powerful faith is when we align ourselves to God’s will. We receive our answered prayers as we believe and align ourselves with our requests to God’s will. God responds to the faith of His people, but this assurance is not a overarching promise for any request – it’s for anything within the context of God’s will and purpose. Any prayers should be made according to God’s will. Prayer is simply a path of communication with God. Jesus models a life of solitary places to pray. In the historical context of Jewish prayer, it involved regular, structured times of prayer, and which Jesus both participated in and expanded upon. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us that prayer is a continual relational dialogue with God.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What does your prayer time look like?

Prayer Through the Bible

The original prayer time was centered on regular, structured times of prayer. There would be times when the synagogues are open that people could attend at every hour. It often emphasizes prayer as an organized religious practice more than an intentional, relation activity with our heavenly Creator. Jesus then shifted prayer to be times where we could isolate us into places of solitude and quietness. Instead of moving into the church, the church is moving into us. A place where we, through the Holy Spirit can, always communicate with God. Through the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross, He tore the curtain in the Temple which allowed all of us to come before God with confidence and boldness. Through the letters of Paul, we learn that prayer comes from God’s provision and that it continues our relationship with God. John reminds us that prayer requests should be made through God’s will. James reminds us that prayer should be made without doubt. Prayer is a consistent act that allows us to converse with our Heavenly Creator.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Learning the true biblical perspective of prayer – how does it change your prayer time?

PRAY Action

Praise God for our communication path with Him. This path that allows us go to God boldly and confidently to share everything that we need to share with God.

Read 1 John 5:14-15

Ask God if your path in life is aligning to the path that He created for you. See if your ways that you’ve adopted through life are pleasing and righteous to Him.

You are wanted and cherished by God. Go to Him. Talk with Him. Be with Him.