The Prayers of Our Forefathers

Many African Americans have researched and studied the lives of their forefathers. As a result, it was discovered that many were slaves. They worked from sunup to sundown, lived in inadequate living conditions, endured physical and sexual abuse, often punished severely, separated from their families, experienced adverse weather conditions and many were never taught to read or write.

REVEREND REGINA MITCHELL CO-LEADER, STEPHEN MINISTRY

History has taught us that many of our forefathers knew God through their faith in Jesus Christ and they knew how to pray. They took the scripture, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul,” literally.(Deuteronomy 4:29 NKVJ) It is no surprise that this fervent prayer tradition was a central part of their lives. They knew according to James 4:8 to “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” They were often up late into the night praying and singing spiritual songs to the Lord. I believe their prayers personally led to our freedom.

The power of prayer was evident in the civil rights movement during the 1950’s and 1960’s when Coretta Scot King recalled a prayer by her husband as recorded in her book, “Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Celebration of Black Prayer”. “During a particularly rough stretch of the Montgomery Bus Boycott one night, he received a threatening phone call. Upset, he prayed, Lord, I am taking a stand for what I believe is right. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I have nothing left. I have come to the point where I can’t face it alone. When Martin stood up, he was imbued with a new sense of confidence, and was ready to face anything.”

It is so important that we pray for everyone as recorded in 1 Timothy 2: 1-3 (NIV) “I urge you, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings, and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness For this is good and pleasesGodourSavior”Whenwepray,Godanswersourprayers Psalm91:15,says“HewillcalluponMe, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him Also, God honors prayer as recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” As Christians, prayer with the guidance of the Holy Spirit changes those who pray. Consistent prayer builds a closer relationship to God thereby knowing Himbetter.

PersevereinprayeronthepoweroftheWordofGodandmakeanappealtoGod.Prayforstrength,God will give you strength. Pray for courage, God will give you courage. Pray for wisdom, God will give you wisdom.

The spiritual life of those in the enslaved community served as a defense against their bondage and collectively was a source of strength Their faith and trust in God relieved the experiences they were forcedtoendure

Godwillbreakeverychainandstrongholdinlifeandsetyoufree

BoldprayersbyboldbelieversbringboldresultsfromGod

Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find gracetohelpintimeofneed.”(NKJV)

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

Today we spend more time on the phone talking than in prayer to God discussing things that bear on eternity. With all the marvelous things that Jesus was able to do, the one thing that stood out to His disciples was His prayer life. "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

(Luke 11:1)

Prayer, constant contact with the Father, is what separates the righteous. Like anything of value, prayer takes effort, care and discipline. We so desperately need the Lord’s Prayer and need to sit at Jesus’ feet and ask our Lord, “Teach us to Pray.” We were made to “commune” (to focus on God, converse, talk often with profound intensity), to share our heart and mind with God in prayer.

Some scholars suggest that people pray because prayer produces serenity and alleviates anxiety and fear. However, prayer is about God’s will being done – not our own. God’s will is perfect. Why would we persuade God to do something that is less than perfect? We are encouraged to bring our concerns, anxieties and needs before God. We bring our needs before God humbly and ready to submit to God’s perfect plan. God knows everything – He is omniscient – all knowing. Resist the temptation to use prayer as a way of alerting God, who knows all and even knows our hearts and minds better than we know ourselves.

Prayer does not change God, it changes us! Prayer is our opportunity to commune with God and develop true intimacy. There is no first-person in the Lord’s Prayer . . . Our Father who is in heaven . . . Give us this day our daily bread . . . never leave the focus solely on ourselves. Find your secret place with Christ . . . take a deep breath and feel your lungs expand with oxygen. Now, think of something for which you are thankful. We have so much to be thankful for! Psalm 100:4, says “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” Bringing thankfulness and praise to God is a way to worship Him. Make your personal prayer time a priority!

Father God,

I come to You in the precious Name of Jesus. I thank You that Your eyes are upon the righteous and Your ears are open to my prayers. You delight in the prayers of the upright and You said I can come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Thank you that the earth is filled with the glory of the Lord and the knowledge of Your glory as the waters cover the seas; that the Word of the Lord has multiplied to the nations; that the heavens are raining down righteousness and the earth is springing up righteousness and salvation. Father, I am desperate for you, desperate for Your presence and power in my life. Help me to stay sensitive to Your voice today. Cleanse my heart of all carnality, rationalization, and hard-heartedness, anything that would keep me from following Your leading. I welcome Your revelation and divine insight. Cause my spiritual eyes to function with 20/20 vision for the correct understanding of the times and seasons. Father, as I cooperate with Your battle plan, anoint me for breakthrough. Help me to watch for your movements and cooperate with your plans for me. Make me sensitive to Holy Spirit so I will hear your voice. Let your supernatural wisdom and understanding be upon me today. Open my ears to hear and move in sync with your perfect will for me, my family, my church, my work and my community.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.