PRAYER

By Lakan Mariano, Pastor of CHBC

TALK TO GOD ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS

Biblical prayer is directed to God our heavenly Father. That was how the Lord Jesus taught us to pray.

I once heard a man speaking to Satan when we were praying for the worship service, commanding him to leave the place. I asked him how he knew Satan was in San Angelo and not in New York or Washington DC. He could not be in all those places. Only God is omnipresent.

It has become common to hear people speaking to the problem or the illness instead of speaking to God about the problem or the illness. This is based on the very wrong belief that Christians' words have the power to create or alter reality.
Jesus taught believers that when we pray we address God our heavenly Father.

"This is then how you should pray: our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:9).

"Our" tells us that we are not alone, that we are part of the community of believers. The struggles and temptations we go through are the same struggles and temptations other believers go through (1 Corinthians 10:13). There is one body of Christ, all believers have one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all believers (Ephesians 4:4-6).

"Our" also speaks of our belonging to God our Father.

"... the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him (the Holy Spirit) we cry, 'Abba, Father'" (Romans 8:15).

When you come to God in prayer you are not a stranger at the back of the line. You have instant access any time. No waiting in line, no being put on hold.

The surprise we get is to find who else is praying with us and for us.

"... the Spirit himself intercedes for us" (Romans 8:26).

"Christ Jesus who died--more than that was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us" (Romans 8:34).

Instead of worrying, pray. Run to the only One who can do something about your situation and the One who loves you with an everlasting love.

'Our Father in heaven...'"