Answered Prayer, Praise and Worship

Prayer and Worship to God

1. PRAYER

Prayer is a subject on which a lot is said yet most abused and neglected. The numbers who attend its prayer meetings measures the size of a church. Prayer meetings show the popularity of God.

Man ought always to pray (Luke 18:1; Mark 13:33; 14:38; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Jeremiah 33:3).  Prayer is talking with God. It involves talking and listening. It should be done by individuals in private and also in groups (couples, families, cells, church, etc)

There is special grace that is released when believers who have a habit of praying alone in their closets get together to pray together, which cannot be experienced when one prays alone. Pray with others. Share your prayer requests and items with others so they can agree with you. Prayer of agreement has amazing power (Mathew 18:19; Acts 1:14; 2:1-2;  4:24, 31; Psalm 133). Participate in the corporate prayer life of your church so that revival and blessing can be rich in the church to your benefit.

The church gathered and earnestly prayed for Peter (Acts 12:5) and he was released from prison. The word earnest is derived from the verb – ‘to stretch out’. There are solutions to our needs and problems imprisoned away from us that will manifest when we pray together earnestly.

Some key elements to answered prayer are:

• Pray as a child of God (Mathew 6:9). It is a privilege of people who have believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior (John 1:12; 3:16)..
• Acknowledge your inability and depend on the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26, John 14:16)
• Pray in the name of Jesus (John 16:24)
• Pray believing (Mathew 21:22 Hebrews 11:6)
• Pray according to God’s word. God’s will (1 John 5:14)
• Pray with the right motive (the glory of God) and be specific when you ask (James 4:2, 3 ; 1 Samuel 1:11 -Hannah)
• Pray with real concern/passion/fervency/burden/desperately (James 5:16; 1 Samuel 1; Romans 10:1; Acts 12:5)
• Pray with confidence from knowing that your sins are forgiven (1 John 3:21 Psalm 66:18);
• Pray persistently until something happens (1 Kings 18:41; Luke 18:1-8; 11:5-13; Daniel 10:12,13).
• Pray and fast sometimes (Mark 9:29)
• Pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). When you give thanks to someone you are encouraging them to do more (Romans 1:21; Psalm 107:1; 2 Corinthians 9:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Romans 8:28).

2. PRAISE AND WORSHIP

The greatest thing you can do in this life is to praise and worship God. Only God deserves worship (Exodus 34:14).

We were created to praise and worship him (1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 1:12; Psalm 150:6; Isaiah 43:7/Psalm 50:23; Psalm 100:2, 4).

Praise is an expression of our admiration and approval of God.  God manifests his presence where there is praise (Psalm 22:3; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14).

You can praise :

• Aloud with our mouth (Psalm 95:1-2; Psalm 66:8)
• By shouting (Psalm 32:11, 27 Joshua 6:16-20)
• By singing (Colossians 3:16)
• In other tongues (Acts 10:46 1 Corinthians 14:15)
• With laughter (Psalm 126:1-2 Nehemiah 8:10 Genesis 21:6)
• With instruments of praise (Psalm 33:3; Psalm 150:3-6)
• With lifted hands (Psalm 63:3-4; 134:2)
• By clapping hands (Psalm 47:1; Isaiah 55:12)
• By dancing (Psalm 150:4; 149:2-3; 1 Sam 18:6)

When to praise

• At all times (Psalm 34:1; 35:27; Hebrews 13:15)
• In the congregation (Psalm 22:22; 135:1-2)
• Among unbelievers (Psalm 40:3; Acts 16:25-34)
• When gathered as family, etc

Worship

• Worship is to adore and bow in acknowledgement of who God is, not just what you can get from him.
• Worship is laying all including your dearest and best on the altar (Genesis 22:5).
• Worship is an attitude of deeply loving God as the only creator, source, sustenance and sufficiency (Mathew 22:38). 
• Worship is being still and seeking to know Him – listening, lingering, not being in a hurry but giving God his chance to direct things.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa