Prayer as a way to petition God

Prayer as a way to petition God. So we are still at the start of the year. And without meaning to I have ended up with three new year resolutions. The first one I shared in a previous post which is to read through the bible this year, not study just read. I can report that it is going very well. I am  now in the book of Numbers, the fourth book in the bible. The second happened by accident. A friend of mine booked me in for a 3D body scan and as you can imagine on receiving the results I joined a gym. My third resolution is to pray more this year and I have realised it is really about making more requests from God.

Petitioning God

One of my favourite verses on prayer is Philippians 4:6-8. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Quite a number of things in this world make us anxious or cause us to worry. Especially if one has children and/or elderly parents. The verse says in every situation that is no matter the situation there is an opportunity for prayer. So the key is to still your mind and see the prayer then pray it, ask God to intervene. Do not forget to give thanks!

How to Petition

Now Jesus who is our role model was known for praying and He taught us how to pray. First He said we should address God as our Father. A simple everyday term which should evoke feelings of love, security, protection and provision. We should declare His name is holy and His will should be done on earth as it is in heaven. Then ask that our daily needs be met and our sins be forgiven. We should also profess our willingness to forgive people who have offended us and we should ask that God deliver us from temptation and from Satan.

Prayer much more than Petitions

In my mind I have had to distinguish asking God for stuff with spending time with Him. The two can occur at the same time but my prayer time is no longer just about petitions. But also I should not be ashamed of coming to my Father and asking Him for things that I need or desire. I should be able to talk to Him about anything and everything. I can expect Him to answer my prayer because He loves me and has provided for everything I will ever need. However, it has to be according to His will and for His glory.