"The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
Thy throne is established from old,
Thou art from everlasting." Psalm 93:1-2

Violence is raging in many places in the world. In the light of all this destruction, how very reassuring this is to know that the Lord reigns and is in control of all things. We have a Rock that never changes!
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and yes and forever."
Hebrews 13:8

Our opening Scripture last week was Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

We looked at many passages of Scripture that assured us that the Lord is with us always! The commission is to 'make disciples of all nations'. There are many missionaries around the world doing just that. (Pray for their
safety!) Let us join our hearts with them and stand in prayer that God would prepare hearts to receive the Good News of salvation in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Though we are not on the front lines we are very much apart of the command. Our prayers and support are very  much needed.

Scripture tells us of personal requirements for prayer-- Purity of heart:
"If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear." Psalm 66:18

"One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be an abomination." Proverbs 28:9

Believing:
Jesus speaking in Matthew 21:22,
"And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

And Jesus speaking in Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

In Christ's name:
Jesus speaking in John 14:13,
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

According to God's will (this is the key):
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." 1 John 5:14

So before we pray let us prepare our hearts trusting the leading of the Holy Spirit, for Scripture tells us, "Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He make intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
Romans 8:27

There are other general requirement concerning prayer so I urge each of us to do a private study. This means getting into the word and coming to know God's will. He does have a plan for each of us and we can trust Him to speak to us through His word as the Holy Spirit opens the Scriptures to us. May the Lord bless each of us with a greater knowledge of Himself.

Father we thank you for Your great love given in Your precious Son, Christ Jesus. Amen