Oftentimes, we find ourselves puzzled over this question, without even considering what prayer actually is all about. In fact, prayer has tremendous power, and by way of prayer, God fulfills His great works for both, who prays and for whom prayers are lifted up. Prayer gives us an access to the heart of God Himself, and it is the channel, through which the devastated soul is filled with God’s presence. In early June, the Association of Biblical Missionary Churches of Ukraine held a prayer seminar in Zalisye. There were representatives of five churches: Ivano-Frankivsk, Sarny, Rivne, Zdolbunov and Kiev. This time, we focused our attention on what prayer really is, and how sincere we are, when we’re talking to our God. Igor Plyva prepared a wonderful seminar for us, and everyone had another opportunity to take stock of their heart.
As we were considering the subject, we came to the conclusion that prayer is a sincere, reasonable, and outspoken cry of the soul to God through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. And during this time, we had a wonderful opportunity not only listen to what is said, but to practice a prayer in the powerful way. We spent some time in prayers – praying for each other, for our churches and ministries, for the coming camps and projects, for those who are sick and needy. We also listened to each other’s testimonies, rejoicing and thanking God in one spirit. Prayer should not be memorized and tediously repeated all the time, but instead, prayer is a way of pouring everything out of our hearts to God. Therefore, when there’s a joy in the heart, we thank God, and when there’s a discouragement, we ask Him for help and comfort.
The Scripture also teaches us that God provides us with a lot more than we ask Him, and it is rightly so. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with an abundance of the air and the nature that surrounds us. Singing of the birds, fragrant roses, juicy cherries and lush grass underfoot – all this supposed to fill the heart of every human being with an untold excitement and immeasurable praise to the Creator. It was a blessed time as we could just sit down with friends and sing the songs of God’s glory playing a guitar, and then retiring somewhere into the woods to reflect on things like: maybe God does not answer to my prayer because I do not pray at all, my prayer is either reluctant, or not sincere. We’re thankful to God for this unforgettable and life-changing time together!
“The praying soul gets stronger, so it can feel God’s calling in a more profound way crying out to Him, and seeking help only in Him. Unfortunately, many Christians are not familiar with this sincere, meaningful, and sheer cry of the soul to God. More frequently, they are satisfied only with the slightest moving of their lips and kneeling, repeating over and over again their drab, hackneyed phrases. But, when the prayer is filled with living experiences and, if you’re at least once, sincerely exposed your entire self to God, being deeply crushed in spirit, you won’t be able to do it superficially anymore. Namely then, you may experience the genuine fellowship and appeasement in Christ. So, the Saints of God were engaged particularly in this kind of prayer putting into it all their strength that would make them ready to die, following Christ.” (Excerpt from the seminar).
As Christians, we always need to be reminded of the power of prayer!
Our next meeting will be held in November, so everyone is invited, especially those who are willing to learn how to pray and openly speak to God.
Pray thoughtfully and give yourself to a prayer, and then, you’ll see as God answers to your prayer.
Always rejoice in Him!
Ira Plyva
