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As we look forward for a fruitful 2019, let’s start on a right note with fasting and praying and in seeking God. We begin the fasting and prayer from 7^thJan to 27^thJan 2019. We challenge you to be a part of it. 

What is Prayer?

Prayer refers to the multifaceted communication of believers with the Lord. In addition to the words “Prayer” and “Praying”, this activity is described as calling on God (Ps17:6), calling on the name of the Lord (Gen 4:26), crying aloud to the Lord (Ps 3:4), lifting up one’s soul to the Lord (Ps 25:1), seeking the Lord (Isa 55:6), approaching the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16) and drawing near to God (Heb 10:22).

Reasons for Prayer:

1. Believers are commanded by God to pray.
2. Prayer is the necessary link to God’s blessings and power and to receiving the fulfilment of his promises.
3. In his plan of salvation for humankind God has ordained that believers be co-workers with him in the redemptive process. 

Matthew 7:7-8 Vs.7 “Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Vs.8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Ask… Seek…knock. Jesus encourages perseverance in prayer. The tense of the Greek verbs in v.8 designates continued action. This means we must keep on asking, seeking and knocking. Asking implies consciousness of need and the belief that God hears our prayer. Seeking implies earnest petitioning along with obedience to God’s will. Knocking implies perseverance in coming to God even when he does not respond quickly. Christ’s assurance that those who ask will receive what they ask is based on: 

1. Seeking first the kingdom of God 

Matthew 6:33 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

2. Recognizing God’s fatherly goodness and love 

Matthew 6:8 – Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 7:11 – If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

3. Praying according to God’s will 

Mark 11:24 – Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

1 John 5:14 – This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” 

4. Maintaining fellowship with Christ 

John 15:7 – If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.

5. Obeying Christ 

1 John 3:22 – and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 

Requirements of Effective Praying:

1. Our prayers will not be answered unless we have a sincere, true faith.
2. Authority in prayer is in Jesus’ name. 
3. Prayer is effective when it is in harmony or agreement with God’s will and Word. 
4. Not only must we pray in agreement with God’s will, but we must be living in harmony with God’s will if we expect him to hear and answer us. 
5. Finally, for our prayers to be effective we must be persistent in prayer and faith. 

Fasting coupled with prayer brings spiritual transformation!