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Prayer is simply talking to God, whether that is talking out loud or praying silently in your mind, since He understands our thoughts from afar (Psalm 139:2). Prayer can be done anywhere, at any time, since He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4).
It is reassuring to know that God even hears our prayers when we’re not even able to put them into words eg when we are too tired or feeling weighed down with the burdens of life. The Bible says, “the (Holy) Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26). Even Jesus, himself, prays on our behalf. (Romans 8:34).
Since God is sovereign, He can hear and respond to any prayer. Jesus once said, “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).
Prayer image 1:
However, as a Christian, you have the special privilege of coming boldly before God, (Hebrews 4:16) since He is your heavenly Father and He sees you as his child. Being a kind, loving Father, He loves to hear his children and welcomes them into his presence, where there is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11) If you would like to become a member of God’s family, go to Accepting Jesus
There are typically 3 ways in which God can respond: yes, no and wait.
• Yes: the request has a good motive and fits with God’s timing
• No: the request has wrong motives (James 4:3), or He has something even better for you. To prosper you and to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11.
• Wait: the request has good motives but is not in God’s perfect timing.
I found the following article on waiting very helpful: When your prayers aren't answered and God says 'wait' - here are 5 truths to remember
The Bible has many stories of God saying “yes”:
"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind." (Psalm 107:19-21).
By focussing on God and not on your problem, He encourages you to release all of your burdens onto him, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).
Be open and honest with God. Remember He is omniscient, meaning that He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows everything you have said and done and also understands your suffering, since He has suffered much: “Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted”. (Hebrews 2:18).
Prayers really do count: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:6).
Prayer image 2: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6)
If you are struggling with the shame or guilt of things that you have done wrong in your life (the Bible calls this sin), then know that we have a God of grace and mercy who wants to help you. As a child of God, when you confess your sins to God, this brings his forgiveness and He cleanses you from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9). However, we are required to forgive others their sins against us, otherwise we will not be forgiven by God.(Matthew 6:15).
Why is fasting associated with prayer and healing? Fasting deepens our desire for God and so improves our spiritual relationship with God. It helps us to focus not on materialistic things but instead look to the spiritual things of God, those things which He wants to give us, but we are too busy looking elsewhere. Healing is also linked to fasting, since it strengthens our prayer life. Jesus responded to his disciples, when they were unable to cast out a demonic spirit, by saying “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21).
Prayer healing testimonies:
Worship Night - Leah healing story (paralysis of spine)
Her Prayers Helped Pull Me Out of Occult-Fueled Madness
Healing testimony- Lauren Evans (hearing regained)
Sandra’s Granddaughter’s Testimony Of Healing (Disabled baby able to eat for first time)
Fulton Street Revival (Spiritual and social renewal)
Healing prayer videos
Healing Prayer in Jesus Name
Prayers for Healing - Be Healed by the Grace of God - Pray for Health and Rest
Written Prayers
Prayers for Healing and Wholeness
Scientific findings on the benefits of prayer:
Prayer reduces stress levels which are a major risk factors for disease. So with prayer, the body’s metabolism decreases, the heart rate slows, blood pressure goes down, and our breath becomes calmer and more regular. This also brings feelings of control, tranquil alertness and peace of mind. This has a knock on effect on illnesses, like depression, high blood pressure, ulcers and migraine headaches, that are caused at least in part by elevated levels of stress and anxiety.
Why People Who Pray Are Healthier Than Those Who Don’t
A Prayer for Personal Healing
God, you know me so well. You created me. You know the number of hairs on my head, and you even know the thoughts conceived in my heart before I ever vocalize them. You've told us to come to you and ask for every need of life. You are Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals, and you have the final word on my destiny, the number of years I'll live and serve you on earth.
I'm coming to you today as your child, longing to hear from you and asking for your divine healing. There's so much I don't understand about life. But I do know that with one touch, one word, you can make me whole. Please forgive me of my sins, cleanse me of my unrighteousness, and begin your healing from the inside out.
I don't always know what your will is Lord, especially in times like now, when I desperately seek your face. I offer you no promises, no bargains, no deals to exchange for my health. I simply bow my heart before you to tell you the desire of my heart: that I want to spend as many years as I can loving you here, loving others, and wanting to become more like you. However you choose to accomplish that is up to you—and okay with me. If you use doctors to provide healing, give them wisdom to know what to do. Regardless of how you accomplish it, the healing you give is always miraculous. And you deserve all the praise.
I absolutely believe you have the power to heal. You demonstrated that on earth, and you still heal in miraculous ways today. Even when my faith is weak, you say it is enough, and my love for you is strong. And I know you already hold my heart and life in your hands. It's up to you. If I can bring you more glory through healing, then that's what I ask for. That's what I desire.
But if your answer is no, or not now, I know that your grace is sufficient for me. Ultimately, I want your will to be my will. I look forward to spending an eternity with you. But Lord, if you have planned still more for me to do here on this earth, I not only need and want your physical healing, Lord, but a thorough, deep-down cleansing and strengthening—a whole-hearted renewal of all that I am. Because all that I am is yours. Use this trial to strengthen me from a "what-if" faith to a "no-matter-what" faith. And no matter what, I choose to honor you and give you glory. In Jesus's name, Amen. - Rebecca Barlow Jordan
If you are considering asking Jesus into your heart as Lord and Saviour, please visit Accepting Jesus