A Recipe for Prayer

This may sound strange, but my grandmother made the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ever! I have attempted to make the same sandwich (including, Jiffy peanut butter, Welch’s grape jelly…and the well known “Wonder” bread.), but it didn’t taste the same. I guess the one ingredient I may have missed, was Her Love! As the holiday comes closer, I started thinking about the roasted turkey, my favorite dressing; a smooth slice of cranberry sauce spread over hot monkey bread with melted butter. Sweet peach cobbler with the flaky crust…mmh! But it would be enjoyed best when shared with others! It occurred to me sometimes, preparing meals can be a chore, especially a holiday feast. The first thought is…fast foods! “Run to the border, Have it your way!” But some of the hidden ingredients may not be healthy for us: high trans fat, sodium, etc. It is a quick and easy road for a temporary fix that can sometimes lead to bad health (read the nutrition guide, you’ll be surprised).

I am just demonstrating food preparation as an example of prayer life. As in good home cooking, you know what’s good for you. You put in proper planning, time and preparation, care and love, and the satisfaction of knowing your loved ones are healthy and happy. This should be the same approach when we’re in prayer. Recipes should be followed as directed; otherwise, it may not turn out right. Prayer, edifice with proper approach, can ensure open doors of communication with our Heavenly Father, enabling Him to pour his grace, mercies and blessings upon us.

1. Attitude: As we approach prayer, always consider the 1st and 2nd commandments: ‘Thou shall have no other gods before me,’ which means, clear your mind of all things that will hinder your direct communication with God. Do not approach prayers begrudgingly, enter with sincere need to be with your Father. To surmount yourself with his presence, the closeness as a child with her Father…sharing in all of your concerns. Open your heart to the goodness of his word, his glory and honor!

2. Praise and Honor: Praise our Heavenly Father, not only because of what He has done for us (He has graced us with so many blessings). His wonders are all around you. Praise and honor Him because He Is!!!

3. Humbleness: Always approach your Father with humbleness, ask that God search and give you a clean heart. Ask for forgiveness in your thoughts, words and action. Thank Him for his grace and mercy. Reinforce your pledge to be obedient to his word. As my grandmother taught me how to cook, I made a lot of burnt toast, rubbery eggs, flopped cakes, etc. Our prayer life needs constant practice; having the right attitude and purpose; asking for forgiveness and be open to obedience enables us to start over and make anew.

4. Petition 1: As you present yourself to our Lord and Savior with your prayer requests...pray for others first. Even if there are persons or conditions that have troubled you one way or another. Pray for others in need; we know that although we feel we need prayer the most, there is someone who is in need of prayer “more.” Think about it, to pray for the most elite “iphone” or computer for a child’s birthday is wonderful; it is your right, and God says you can have these things. But just think about other people who are without: no homes, no families, no food, no jobs, poor health, loneliness, and yes, misguided and loss souls. I know that the PW's is a purposeful and powerful group in prayer; and when God’s heavenly spiritual forces unite, blessings and mercies are continuous for those we love. You do not want to enter into God’s realm with a “self centered” attitude. But know that when we pray for others, we too will receive blessings. Let us try to get out of the “me first” attitude…pray for others.

5. Petition 2: This is not to say that we shouldn’t pray for ourselves, yes…we are praying for our souls and our well being. There is no restriction on what we pray for: strength, healing, comfort, compassion, friendship and favor. God wants you to be happy and healthy so that you can be used for His glory. Just know that answered prayers are derived from sowing and reaping…Do we pray on how we can be better stewards, how we can give more, do more in helping others?

6. Grace and Thanksgiving: As with grace before the meals, we unite and give homage to our Lord and Savior by giving thanks for what we are about to receive, we pray that the nourishment we receive is good for our body, mind and spirit. We know that your prayers are already answered. God has already redeemed each of us when he sacrificed his Precious Son, Lord Jesus Christ for our sins. God wants our open communication with him. Give continuous thanksgiving and praise to our Heavenly Father in the name of our Precious Lord Jesus.

Knowing that your prayer(s) are answered and prayer life make us spiritually strong and happy, we extend prayers for others or their needs so that all glory will be given to God. Jesus gave us the perfect recipe for prayer. When He taught the disciples how to pray He used some specific ingredients that are necessary when we go before God in conversation. We should recognize how powerful and awesome God truly is as we enter into His presence. Respect Him; this leads us to repent of all the things that stand in between us. When entered into the conversation we should bring our requests for ourselves and for others…expecting Him to answer them in His timing and in His will. Then finish by responding to what God has to say. At times it calls for reflection and/or action.

Scriptures:

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NIV)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8 NIV)