Too often I hear saints say "she/he is a powerful prayer warrior", as if to say that some prayers are stronger or better prayed than others. The fact is the power of prayer is not found in the one who prays the prayer but the One who hears it. Charles Spurgeon addresses this in a wonderful book "The Power of Prayer in the Life of the Believer". I paraphrase:
'Our prayers are like flowers that would be gathered by a child to give to his father; when he brings what he has gathered to his mother for approval she examines it and sees that the child has picked as many weeds as flowers. The mother does not scoll the child but quietly removes all of the weeds and replaces them with sweet smelling, beautiful flowers and also adds sweeter flowers to the bunch. She presents perfection to the father on behalf of the child.'
Jesus and the Holy Spirit stand in the gap to intercede to replace (the weeds) for us (Hebrew 7:25 and Romans 8:26), translating our weeded words into a perfect prose to our God. If we could hear the prayers we (all saints) have prayed after they have put it into perfect God language, we would not recognize our own prayer! Jesus and the Holy Spirit insure that God hears even the groaning from our hearts is transformed into a perfect prayer language and precisely stated.
So, we should pray as only we can pray. The words and phrases we use in the language we speak is interpreted by Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God has instructed us so many times to just call to him, come to him, commune with him, to just knock and the door will be opened for us, Matthew 7:7.
Know also that it is ok not to say anything in your time and place of prayer. Let your heart and mind speak for you. In other words pray with your spirit; from the depths of your being. God knows your heart and tells us that the Holy Spirit interprets even our moans and groans, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). This an incredible blessing because there a times in our dispair groans are all we can manage to communicate! Note, that praying with your spirit is different than praying in the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is when you allow the Holy Spirit to lead your prayers; He impresses or convicts your heart and mind with what to pray for. We often go to God with a prayer but there are times when we should be still and listen to receive the prayer to pray.
Finally, don't let what you percieve as a limitation (not knowing the right words or format or time) stop you or cause you not to communicate with your Heavenly Father. Jesus has taken all excuses away. When he hung his head and gave up his spirit on the cross, the very next thing to happen was the veil of the temple was torn open from top to bottom, which gave us direct acess into the holy of holies, the very thrown room of God! "Let us therefore come boldly into the throne room of grace, where we will obtain mercy and find grace to help us in time of need"(Hebrews 4:16).
God sent his son to insure that we can come to him not with the perfect prayer but we can come in the most excellent way - through his Son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, remember that you can pray the perfect prayer in fact all your prayers are strong and perfect!
Prayer...Just you and the Father. Open your heart. Open your mouth. Listen.
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About the Founder of Oasis of Prayer Ministries
Reverend Mattie B. Thornton Criddell
Reverend Mattie Criddell believes that a viable prayer life is absolutely essential for spiritual development and Christian living; and thus she is dedicated to using her spiritual gifts of teaching and preaching to facilitate the development of an effectual prayer life for all who desire it. She has served God’s people through the Ministry of Prayer for over fourteen years.
As the Staff Pastor of Prayer Ministry for The Church Without Walls, she was responsible for every aspect of prayer for the church-body of fourteen thousand active members. She also shared in leading and preaching for the worship experience each Sunday for three of five church services.
Oasis of Prayer Ministries is a new call on her life. Reverend Mattie believes that every answer of “yes” to God’s call requires another “yes”, and thus she has answered God’s call to establish Oasis of Prayer Ministries. She has been called by God to help men, women and children everywhere to develop a meaningful prayer life and to maintain a relationship with Him. She anticipates that this ministry of prayer will give her greater opportunities teach the biblical message and methods of prayer, and to lift up the Name of Jesus to a lost world.
Oasis Of Prayer Ministries
Oasis of Prayer Ministries
VISION
The Oasis of Prayer Ministries seeks to provide a time to rest in God,
reflect, reconcile and renew one’s awareness of the presence and power
of God in our lives. The Oasis of Prayer provides a space of hospitality
devoted to prayer, silence and simplicity. In this environment, the body,
mind and spirit are welcomed to be strengthened and purified in response
to God’s invitation for divine union and intimacy.
MISSION
The Oasis of Prayer is committed to advancing the principles, practice
and productivity of prayer to expedite the power of prayer and to
enhance the development of an intimate relationship with God.
What we are about:
• The Oasis of Prayer is an ecumenical organization that is open to all who desire to develop and/or advance an intimate relationship with a loving and compassionate God.
• The Oasis of Prayer’s primary function is to provide instruction that will assist men and women in how to still away and experience the presence of God.
• A Ministry of Prayer that provides instruction to assist individuals and churches to develop an effective prayer life as it has been taught to us by Jesus Christ, Matt. 6:7.
• A Ministry of Prayer committed to providing a refuge and solitude through an environment that is conducive to prayer and meditation.
• A Ministry of Prayer committed to interceding for those who are hurting and longing to experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
• A Ministry of Prayer committed to providing a time to retreat from the pressures of life and provide a time of guided prayer, reflection and discernment of a loving God.
• A Ministry of Prayer committed to providing the information and tools necessary to develop a meaningful prayer life.
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