The Purpose Of Prayer

Many people pray to make themselves feel better
when they are down. They enjoy the sense of
comfort received after they have poured out
their hearts to God. While encouragement is
an answer to prayer in and of itself, the purpose
of prayer goes further.
Jesus tells us in John 16:24 to ask. Why? So that
we can receive. Why? So that our joy can be made
full.
"...but now ask and keep on asking and you will
receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight)
may be full and complete" (Amplified Bible).
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that gives us
strength (see Nehemiah 8:10). Strength is what
we need to live in this world victoriously.
Answered prayer gives us joy as we experience
the love of our Heavenly Father who cares enough
to hear us when we pray and to move in our lives.
We should also ask and receive so that the
Father may be glorified.
"And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever
you ask in My Name [as] presenting all that I AM],
so that the Father may be glorified and extolled
in (through) the Son" (Amplified Bible).
I remember once reading a testimony about a couple
who were so low in finances they could not afford
orange juice. It so happened that the wife was
getting over an illness and craved the juice. As
they walked down the street one day, a can of orange
juice rolled towards them. The husband picked up the
can and looked around to see where it came from. No
one was in sight. The man turned to his wife and
said, "Honey, I think this is for you."
That couple's spirit was boosted as they witnessed
first hand the attention of a loving God.
It proved He was with them in the midst of a
difficult situation. I'm sure as they related this
story to others, their hearts were boosted as
well.
God doesn't want to only make you
feel better when you pray. He wants to give to you
your specific requests so that your joy will soar
and be converted into power and strength. He wants
to be show Himself strong so that others can see
His faithfulness.



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About the Author: Karin Peavy uses her pen to help change lives. Her inspirational and faith-boosting writing can be found in her book, Hot Chocolate For the Spirit and her ezines titled What is God Up to Today? and Words of Encouragement. To discover how Karin's writing can help you live your best today, visit http://www.karinpeavy.com.