Prayer Makes Difference in Our Life and Sad Situations
Prayer is a conscious, constant, conversation with
almighty and that helps us to make an everlasting and intimate relationship
with God. Therefore prayer is a relationship with God. This relationship makes
difference in our outlook, insight, attitude, behavior and sad occurrences. God
is waiting to interact in us to change everything for our favour (Rom 8.28). At
the same time satan is also trying to interact in our life to make everything
for our disfavor (CCCc 74). Through prayer we will have victory in this battle
ie., victory over sin, sickness, suffering, satan and death (CCCc 313). So
satan and his dominion makes our life a battlefield (CCC 409). God cannot
change everything and anything for our favour because God is not an intruder
into our personal freedom. If we do not give consent, God cannot interact in
our lives. Therefore prayer is also an act of giving personal consent by asking
to God to interact in our lives (Youcat 487). Therefore without asking to God,
we may not get many things for our favour.
Forms and expressions of Prayers
There are six forms of prayers such as blessing,
adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise (CCCc 551-556).
And also there are three expressions of prayer namely vocal prayers, meditation
and contemplation (CCCc 569-571). We must apply all these forms and expressions
in our daily prayers. That helps to maintain a healthy and joyful relationship
with God who is our father and mother (CCC 370). It is not fair to break the
relationship with the father and mother till the time of our death. Therefore
prayer is a lifelong commitment.
Types of Prayers
There are six types of prayers that we see in the
Bible. If one type of prayer is not answered, we have to apply other types of prayers
simultaneously. Sometimes we have to apply all six types of prayers to get an
answer of our prayer request. Following are the six types of prayers. First is personal
prayer: Whatever you ask in my name I will give it to you (Jn 14:13). But
the same Jesus says that all intentions may not be fulfilled by personal prayer
alone. So Jesus gives the second type of prayer that is community prayer.
It will be granted if two of you agree on something and pray (Mt.18:19). If our
prayers are not answered through these two types, we have to ask our pastors
to pray for our intentions (James 5:14). Through their prayers some more
aspects of our intentions are also fulfilled but not all. Then go to the fourth
type of prayer that is adoration. Come to me all of you are carrying
heavy burden, I will give you rest and peace (Mt 11: 28). Through daily
adoration many of our intentions will be fulfilled, which are not fulfilled
through other types of prayers. If your intentions are not fully answered, then
we may go for the next type prayer that is listening the word of God.
Where the word of God is proclaimed there God gives all His blessings and gifts
(CCC 75). That is the reason of having all types of healings and miracles in
places where the word is proclaimed. After doing all these types of prayers if
we have some more intentions which are unanswered, we have to apply the sixth
type of prayer that is giving tithes and love offerings (Phili 4:16-19).
When we give tithe and love offerings the all that we need will be supplied
from heaven. Therefore giving tithe and love offering is also a means of
getting answer of our prayers (2 Cor 9:8-10).
Conclusion
Prayer makes positive difference in our lives and sad situations. In our battle field we get victory by constant prayers. Therefore St. Paul says pray unceasingly, giving thanks for everything and rejoicing always. This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (1Thes 5:16-18). Therefore let us take a decision to pray until something happens and apply all forms and expressions along with six types of prayers. Then all your prayers will be answered in this New Year 2015.
I wish you happy New Year and a year of constant prayer.
