What is Prayer? What is the difference between Prayer and Mediation? Why is important for me as a Christians to pray? As a new believer, where do I start?
These questions are often asked by all, specially by new believers in Jesus Christ. In today’s world, there are some much information regarding prayer. I would like to approach the topic by defining prayer, explaining the difference between prayer and meditation and exploring key concepts surrounding prayer (Key concepts will be discussed in another blog post). I Hope, this information will help you start your own prayer journey!
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 (NASB).
WHAT IS PRAYER?
Let’s explore the definition of the word “Prayer”. According to Webster Dictionary, prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.
The expression of thankfukness is depicted in the Bible in Psalm 100:4. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 (NASB).
Prayer is our opportunity to engage in a daily dialogue with God. We express our thanks and gratitude to God and bring petitions. God in return communicates back to us. God has many ways to communicate with us in return. One of them is through His word wherewhich He gives us instructions, wisdom and insight for the day.
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines dialogue among other things as a conversation between two or more persons.
In order for the christian to grow and mature, s/he must create a habit of communcating with the Lord. A good habit to create when starting your prayer journey is to pray the word of God. As model prayers in the Bible are full with thanksgiving. Praying the word of God will help by reminding you to give thanks to God for what He has done and also help you memorize individual bible verses.
Additionally, as the Bible is God’s way of showing us His nature, character and attributes., the more we read the bible the more we will get to know God. Remember, this journey is a marathon, not a sprint. With daily prayer and reading of the Bible, your relationship with God will grow.
MEDITATION
What is the difference between prayer and meditation? The Webster’s dictionary definition of meditation from a Christian point of view is the process of deliberately focusing on specific thoughts (such as a bible passage) and reflecting on their meaning in the context of the love of God.
When we read a bible verse, a good practice is to focus on a particular verse and ask God to reveal the meaning of that verse to us. As prayer is a dialogue, in addition to giving thanks, bringing our requests is listening for God’s voice; the act of meditating on a bible verse allows us to engage in the study of God’s word, whereby, we get to experience God as teacher as He teaches us His word.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Through meditating in His word we get to interact with God on a different level. In fact, God honors our study time. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
WHY IS PRAYER SO IMPORTANT?
Prayer time helps us develop our relationship with our Creator, God Himself. It keeps us in tune with God and His intentions towards us. God also wants us to know what is on His heart. It’s our opportunity to be directed and guided by God throughout our day to day. As we grow with God, we get to know God through His word. That is all part of the daily dialogue.
Below are two recommended links to tools you can use to start a consistent prayer life. Please click on them.
10 times prayer changes people lives.
Smith Wigglesworth: On Prayer, Power and Miracles – Compiled by Roberts Liardon