There were many opportunities this week to stand before the throne of grace in intercessory prayer; that is prayer offered for others. Many churches have a group of dedicated 'prayer warriors' who stand ready to do just that; pray for others. However, every Believer should also be ready when called to prayer.

What are some of the personal requirements we need to attend to? There needs to be-- A purity of heart:
"If I regard iniquity in my heart God will not hear." Psalm 66:18 But with a pure heart, the Psalmist tells us, "But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer." Vs. 19

Believing:
Jesus speaking to the disciples concerning the fig tree, Matthew 22:18-22, He tells them (and us) in verse 22, "And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

In response to Philip, John 14:8-13, Jesus says in Vs. 12-13, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Asking in confidence:
"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 5:14-15

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:7-8,
"But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathens do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask."

Remember we have come before the God of the universe! So the first part of our prayers should be adoration. A good example of this is Nebuchadnezzar's words at his restoration from God's dealings with his pride and supposed power.
"And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:34 And Vs. 37, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to abase (humble)."

We come to prayer peacefully and not anxiously and with thanksgiving as Philippians 4:6 tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God."

Paul exhorts Timothy (and us) to pray for the salvation of all men (women,
too) in 1 Timothy 2:1-4,
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

And so often we are asked to pray for suffering and healing, James 5:13-15 guides us here:
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up."

As we know, Scripture gives us so much more concerning prayer. I hope these few verses will cause each heart to be challenged to do a personal study.
I promise you will be blessed!

Thank you Lord that we live under an open heaven and that You have given us free access to come to You with all our needs. How grateful we are to belong to You! Amen