Intimacy With GodНамуна

Building Intimacy: Prayer

Prayer is one of the simplest yet most profound spiritual disciplines of our Christian faith. It’s an invitation to experience God’s presence in a deeply personal way, whether we’re praying alone or with others. But prayer can also be frustrating, mundane, obligatory, and even disappointing, especially when our prayers are not answered.

At its core, prayer takes us back into the intimacy of God, just as when God walked in the Garden of Eden and He talked with Adam and Eve before their fall. God knew them, and they knew God. Prayer is when we ask God for his kingdom to come and his will to be done (Matthew 6:9-15). It is to invite God into our lives and for us to step into His kingdom and to understand things from His perspective. When we approach Him in humility, repentance, and faith, prayer transforms us. Jesus even tells us that with faith, prayer can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

History is full of incredible stories of what happens when God’s people pray fervently. One inspiring example is the Moravian community in the 1700s. The Moravian refugees took refuge on the estate of Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700-1760), often coming together to pray for spiritual revival. In the summer of 1727, their prayers were answered in a remarkable way. During a church service, the entire congregation was so overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit that they all sank to the floor, praying, worshipping, and weeping until midnight. During a communion service three days later, God’s presence manifested again in such a way that no one could fully describe it. John Greenfield, a Moravian historian and evangelist, said they “hardly knew whether they belonged to heaven or earth.”

The experience was so transformative that it ignited a 24-hour prayer movement, with individuals committing to pray around the clock. This prayer movement lasted for an astonishing 100 years and birthed a revival that sent over 100 missionaries into the world within just 25 years – all from a small congregation of fewer than 300 people.

What made this possible? The Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us in our prayers and intercedes when we don’t know what or how to pray. He guides us in prayer so that it aligns with God’s will (Romans 8:26). He helps us to pray prayers that are Truth-centred, Christ-centred, and Christ-glorifying! He gives us the faith that God will answer our prayers (1 John 5:14).

As we grow in prayer, it’s essential to set aside time both to pray alone and with others. Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16), and the disciples in the early church devoted themselves to communal prayer (Acts 2:42).

Prayer isn’t just about speaking to God. It’s also about hearing His voice and enjoying the closeness He desires to have with us. The Lord is waiting eagerly to meet with you, to speak to your heart, and to draw you into a deeper relationship with Him. Will you take the time to say yes?

Let's Reflect
Take a moment to ask yourself: have I become so busy that I’ve let prayer slip away from my daily rhythm? What can you do to start praying regularly again?

To help you cultivate a deeper prayer life and connect with others in prayer, consider using interseed, a prayer app that we've designed to bring believers together in prayer and support. Through Interseed, you can discover prayer needs, share your own, and unite with others in lifting up petitions to God. It’s a simple yet powerful way to be part of a praying community wherever you are.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of prayer, where I can meet with You, hear Your voice, and be reminded of Your love. Forgive me for the times I’ve neglected time with You, Lord. May it become the central, most important part of my day.

Amen.