WEEK 3: STUDY ON PRAYER

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4

The focus of our prayer is the Lord. Prayer is an intentional act of looking
to Him in faith. Prayer is the acknowledgement that God is present.  This Psalm, along with parts of 96 and 106, is quoted in the account of David’s procession with the Ark to Jerusalem in I Chronicles 16.  “Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always.”  I Chronicles 16:11. The coming of the Ark into Jerusalem was the celebration of the coming of His presence in their midst. God was there with them.

The power of prayer lies in the reality of the Lord’s presence. It is the presence of God that makes prayer possible. God attends every prayer meeting where He is invited. Therefore, prayer must always be prayed in the confidence of His presence. When the awareness of His presence is lost in prayer, we miss out on experiencing all that prayer has to offer us. True prayer is never to a distant God, but always to a God who is nearby.  To look to the Lord is to look past our doubts, circumstances, feelings, fears, and disappointment that blind us to the awareness of His presence. To pray in the awareness of His presence, enables us to look to the Lord, for He is with us when we pray. The Lord Himself is always there to hear the prayers of His people.

Prayer is admitting our helplessness and our dependence upon Him. It is the acknowledgement that I do not have the strength I need on my own.  The ark is designated as the ark of your strength.  Psalm 132:8. Therefore, it speaks not only of the characteristic of His strength, but also the promise of His strength for His people. Prayer is tapping into the power of the Almighty God. Prayer equips us for the battle and keeps us going when we are worn out. Prayer enables us to experience strength far greater than our own. Prayer provides the supernatural.

To seek is to have an intentionally dependent and expectant attitude in prayer. It takes us out of the mindset of comfortable and easy prayer and calls us to Gethsemane. It speaks of the effort and energy required in prayer.

To seek His face speaks of seeking His will and approval. It is the surrender of my will and self-approval. Prayer is the method by which we know the heart of God. Prayer confirms His will in our hearts and guides us on the path of His will. Prayer provides affirmation of His direction and enables us to see the smile on His face. Prayer enables me to hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” 

To seek God is a perpetual mandate. It is a lifestyle, not an event. Prayer has perhaps become far too occasional in our understanding. The work of prayer is never completed as long as we have breath. The joy of prayer is the experience of His presence in the process. Prayer is a life-long journey with the Master.