THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER The other day I heard someone say, everytime their aunt prayed for an earlier delivery, it happened. Someone else told me they prayed to win the lottery, and sure enough it happened. Someone else said I prayed for my husband to stop drinking and the Lord took the taste of liquor right out of his mouth. Well I don’t doubt that all these people believe that somehow their prayers were answered. But, I contend this is a bunch of bologna. God is not into answering questions, or petitions that He has already given mankind the answer to. Too many people feel if they ask God for something long enough they will receive it, so they spend untold hours begging God to do something for them. Never really understanding that petitioning is not prayer. A prayer is to give praise to God. And if we really believe everything will be fine, then we have no need to beg God to take care of it. When we really know everything is good, we will continually give praise, instead of asking God to do something for us. Here we have a prayer. When we look at the life of David, David gave praise to God continually. While everyone else was on the battlefield worried about Goliath and begging God to protect them from his spear, David went out praising God and proclaiming the victory. David was so built up on his relationship with God that he didn’t know how to distrust Him. David didn’ go out praying he was prayed up. Our lives and relationships with God have been reduced to quick petitions alias prayers. We give little time to God, make longer petitions, and use less faith. We expect God to jump over barrels, on a dime, and shout praise the Lord when we get what we want. This is a shame, where is the genuine love for God, the desire to fellowship and be alone with him? The only hope we have is truth. We must understand the power of praise and use it to build us up when we began doubting. Getting quiet and allowing your spirit to guide you in prayer will always lead to praise. Once we are in a state of praise, our strength will be renewed. The Holy Spirit is ever ready to assist mankind, but the Holy Spirit is not interested in lip service. It is concerned with the spiritual part of our lives only. It will teach all trues and bring back to memory the words of God. There is no need to stay on your knees trying to move God. God loved us so much He made a way to communicate with us continually. Praise is the key to communicating with God. Once praise becomes an active part of our lifestyle boldness will be the norm. We will have peace in the mist of a storm. Only those truly seeking to have a personal relationship with God will become praisers. Those who see God as their Father will always have something to give praise for. Those that are always begging God to move this mountain or that mountain has no idea about praise. Remember prayers from your lips go no farther than your lips, but praise from your heart opens the window of heaven and Godly blessing will freely flow.