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    Pray Without Ceasing
    Pray Without Ceasing
    Pray Without Ceasing
    Ebook126 pages1 hour

    Pray Without Ceasing

    By Andrew J. Lamont-Turner

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    About this ebook

    Are you seeking to transform your spiritual life and draw closer to God through prayer? In this comprehensive guide, you will uncover the rich purpose, power, and practice of prayer, as taught throughout Scripture. From understanding the heart of prayer to discovering its role in daily life, each chapter is designed to inspire and equip you to pray more effectively and meaningfully.

    Explore Jesus' teachings on prayer, learn the deeper significance of the Lord's Prayer, and discover how prayer can unlock God's blessings in your life. Dive into practical guidance on how to pray without ceasing, the importance of humility, and the role of faith in effective prayer.

    This book not only teaches the foundations of prayer but also highlights the lives of biblical characters like Hannah and Elijah, showing how their prayers moved God and changed history. With sections on the different types of prayers, obstacles to effective prayer, and the ACTS prayer formula, you'll gain fresh insight into how to build a deeper, more powerful prayer life.

    Whether you're new to prayer or seeking to reignite your spiritual passion, this book is a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice to help you draw closer to God. Embark on this journey and experience the life-changing impact of fervent, faith-filled prayer.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAndrew J. Lamont-Turner
    Release dateSep 23, 2024
    ISBN9798227972842
    Author

    Andrew J. Lamont-Turner

    Andrew Lamont-Turner is a theological scholar, author, and Bible teacher who has dedicated his life to pursuing theological knowledge and disseminating spiritual wisdom. With a profound understanding of the scriptures and a passion for teaching, Andrew has emerged as a leading voice in the field of theology. His extensive academic qualifications and love for God and his family have shaped him into a multifaceted individual committed to nurturing spiritual growth and intellectual exploration. Academic Journey: Andrew's academic journey reflects his thirst for theological understanding. He holds a Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Theology (Honours), Master of Theology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology. These qualifications represent years of rigorous study and a commitment to excellence in his field. Furthermore, Andrew's intellectual curiosity extends beyond theology, as he also possesses a Bachelor of Education (Honours) and several Postgraduate Certificates in various commercial fields. This interdisciplinary approach has enriched his perspective and broadened his ability to connect theological principles with everyday life. Teaching and Writing: Andrew's knowledge of theology has been expressed through his teaching and writing endeavours. As an educator, he has inspired countless students through his engaging lectures and insights into the scriptures. His ability to distil complex theological concepts into accessible teachings has garnered him a reputation as an exceptional communicator. In addition to his teaching, Andrew is a prolific author who has published several books and a comprehensive Bible study series. His books delve into various aspects of Christian theology, offering insights, practical guidance, and thought-provoking reflections. With meticulous research, clear exposition, and a genuine desire to bridge the gap between academic theology and everyday faith, Andrew's writings have touched the lives of many, nurturing their spiritual growth and deepening their understanding of God's Word. Pastoral Leadership: Living his faith ensures Andrew takes his Pastoral Leadership very seriously. He is the Pastor of a community church in rural South Africa, where he ensures the flock entrusted to him by God is well-fed and looked after.

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      Book preview

      Pray Without Ceasing - Andrew J. Lamont-Turner

      Purpose of prayer

      Prayer is an essential component of the Christian life. It is how we converse with and worship the Lord. To comprehend the goal of prayer, it is necessary to first comprehend what prayer is not. Many false beliefs regarding prayer in the world and society, even among Christians, should be addressed first. Prayer is not the same as negotiating with God or placing demands on God.

      Nor is prayer:

      • merely requesting things from God

      • a meditative, therapeutic exercise

      • annoying God and consuming His time

      • a means of exerting control over the Lord;

      • a means of displaying one's spirituality in front of others.

      Many individuals feel that prayer is just asking God for something. A suggestion is an aspect of prayer (Philippians 4:6), yet it is not the sole objective of prayer. Praying for our own and others' needs is necessary and reasonable, but there is much more to prayer. God is neither a genie who grants our every whim nor is He a weak God who can be swayed by our pleas.

      The best method to understand the purpose of prayer is to look at Jesus' example during His earthly mission. Jesus prayed for Himself and others and for communion with the Father. John 17 is an excellent example of Jesus' use of prayer. He prays not just for the Father's glory but also for His followers and those who will believe in him (John 17:20). Another characteristic of Jesus' prayer habit that was stressed in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane was submission to the Father's will: Yet not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:39). Any request we make must be subject to God's will.

      Prayer is a means of strengthening our connection with God. As He prayed to the Father during His earthly career, Jesus provided the example (Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23). Relationships inherently strive to connect, and prayer is our communication with God. Others in the Bible who spent time praying include David, Hezekiah, and Paul.

      Finally, the primary goal of prayer is worship. It is an act of worship when we pray to the Lord, acknowledging Him for who He is and what He has done. Several times, the Bible references prayer as an act of worship (see, for example, 2 Kings 19:15, John 12:28, and Romans 11:33–36). This aim should be reflected in how we pray. Our attention should be on who God is, not who we are.

      Interestingly, the Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught the disciples in Matthew 6:9–13, has these aspects. The first portion is dedicated to God's praise and adoration (Matthew 6:9). In contrast, the second part is dedicated to prayer for God's will to be done (Matthew 6:10). Following that, there is a plea for ourselves and others (Matthew 6:11–12) and a request for strength to face temptation (Matthew 6:13). This prayer was modelled by Jesus for His followers. It demonstrates all of the reasons for prayer with a significant worship emphasis.

      Prayer is an essential component of the Christian life, and it is crucial to cultivate one's prayer practice. Prayer not only impacts our lives and the lives of others, but it is also a means of communicating with the Lord and growing in our relationship with Him. Prayer is fundamentally an act of adoration to the Lord. Because God's Word emphasises the power and purpose of prayer, it should not be overlooked.

      Author Warren Wiersbe (2010:78) sums up the purpose of prayer:

      The immediate purpose of prayer is the accomplishing of God’s will on earth; the ultimate purpose of prayer is the eternal glory of God.

      God hears our prayers

      Everything, even prayers, is heard by God. He is the Almighty. Nothing escapes His notice (Psalm 139:1–4). He rules over all He made (Isaiah 46:9–11). So the issue isn't whether God is aware of every request (He is) but if God is listening to our petitions to answer them.

      God desires that we pray. He made prayer so that we may enjoy Him (Revelation 3:20), confess our sins (1 John 1:9), ask Him to supply our wants (Psalm 50:15) and align our wills with His (Jeremiah 29:11–12; Luke 22:42). One kind of prayer is sure to be answered. The prayer of repentance is described in Luke 18:13–14. When we come to the Lord in humble repentance, He eagerly justifies and forgives us.

      It is crucial to remember that most of God's promises in Scripture were addressed to His people when contemplating prayer. Those promises were made to Israel and anyone who joined them in the Old Testament. Those promises were written to Jesus' disciples in the New Testament. It is a misapplication of Scripture to apply single passages to any context, even prayer. Even though the Lord knows and hears everything, He has specified particular situations in which He will not listen to our prayers:

      1. God will not hear our prayers if we choose to continue in sin rather than repent and change. Though you hold out your hands in prayer, I conceal my eyes from you; even when you offer countless prayers, I am not listening, the Lord declares in Isaiah 1:15. Your hands are splattered with blood! If anybody turns a deaf ear to my counsel, even their prayers are filthy, says Proverbs 28:9.

      For example, a young couple lives in sexual immorality together, yet they pray for God's blessing on their household.

      2. God will not hear our prayers if we ask for things based on our selfish wants. When you ask, you do not get, James 4:3 reads, because you ask with improper intentions, so that you may spend what you receive on your pleasures.

      For instance, a man is unsatisfied with his three-year-old Toyota and wishes for a brand-new Mercedes.

      3. When what we seek is contrary to His will for us.

      This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us (1 John 5:14 WEB).

      For example, we pray passionately for a new job, but God's plan calls for us to remain where we are and be a testimony to our colleagues.

      4. When we fail to ask with trust.

      Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. (Jesus says in Mark 11:24 WEB).

      On the other hand, faith does not believe in something; it believes in Someone. Our faith is based on God's character and desire to bless and comfort us. When we pray, we must believe He hears us and will grant every request according to His plan (1 John 5:14–15).

      For example, we may beg God to provide for a financial need while worrying and making untrue statements to our relatives and colleagues, such as I'm certainly headed to the poorhouse. That money will never come to me."

      God is holy, and He intends that we be holy as well (Leviticus 22:32; 1 Peter 1:16). When He realises that we, too, are pursuing purity, He is delighted to answer our prayers in ways that promote our spiritual progress.

      If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you (Jesus states in John 15:7 WEB).

      The key to prayer is to remain in Christ so that anything we ask comes from His heart (Psalm 37:4). Only then can we have faith that God hears our prayers and intends to answer them.

      Function of Prayer

      There is no secret recipe for praying. In its most basic form, Prayer is remaining in touch with God—talking to Him, spending time in His presence, and becoming close to Him. We show our admiration and appreciation to God via prayer, indicating our desires to Him, interceding for others, and learning more about His character and intentions for our lives.

      Learning to pray is a natural element of developing our relationship with the Lord. We uncover the core of prayer as we create an active and ongoing relationship with God our Father via Jesus Christ, His Son, through the power of His indwelling

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