Over 20 years ago, Dr. Dave Williams wrote The New Life…The Start of Something Wonderful to help new believers become established in their Christian walk. Since that time, over two and a half million copies in eight languages have been sold, and this book is in its 30th printing!
This is perhaps one of the most exciting areas of our Christian walk. We have the unique privilege of communicating with our Creator. That’s really what prayer is—communion with God. Prayer will help you find the perfect will of God for your life as you begin to seek him on a daily basis.
Prayer is one area where Satan will try to attack you the hardest. It’s because he knows that through faith-filled prayer, great advances are wrought in the Kingdom of God, and great damage is brought to his own miserable kingdom of darkness.
Prayer is the source of the Christian’s power. It should be a daily habit. Make sure your prayers are filled with faith, based upon God’s promises as found in the Holy Bible.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER
There are different kinds of prayer for different situations and circumstances. Let’s look at some of them.
Prayer of confession
This is the kind of prayer you pray when you have sinned under a sudden temptation. Simply tell the Lord what it is you have done and ask him to forgive you. He will forgive you and it will be as though you had never sinned at all!
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9
Indeed, the Lord will give justice to his people, and he will change his mind about his servants, when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. -Deuteronomy 32:36 NLT
Prayer of petition
This is the type of prayer you pray when you desire something from the Lord. It can be just a simple request. Use your own words and talk to the Lord like he is your best friend who is right there in the room with you. He is your best friend, and he is right there with you every moment.
Prayer of worship and praise
This is the kind of prayer where you simply praise and thank the Lord. You don’t ask him for anything, only tell him how much you love and appreciate him. Thank God and adore him for who he is and all he has done for you. Thank God in advance for answering your prayers. This is one of the most powerful forms of prayer!
Intercessory prayer
This is the kind of prayer you pray when you are approaching God on behalf of another person. For example, you may intercede for your family members, your friends, your pastor, the president, the governor, the mayor, service men and women, etc.
United prayer
This is when two or more believers pray together. This is a dynamic and powerful form of prayer.
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. -Matthew 18:19
You will never be able to find the time to pray. You must make the time to pray. Almost immediately the enemy attacks the new believer’s prayer life. He may try to inject obscene thoughts into your mind and make you think they are yours, in hopes of causing you to feel guilty and ashamed and unable to pray effectively. Or, he will try to get you thinking about all the work around the house that needs to be done so you can’t concentrate on praying. But remember this: More can be accomplished in three minutes of prayer than in three hours of hard work! Of course there must be a good balance, but prayer—your time of intimate conversation with God—is extremely important to your own spiritual health, growth, and stability. Make prayer a way of life. Jesus did!
This book is a practical, step-by-step handbook and how-to guide that will help you grow in your faith and catapult you to success now that you’ve been given a fresh new life in Jesus!
Excerpt from Chapter 4 of The New Life The Start of Something Wonderful by Dave Williams. Get a FREE ebook version at www.davewilliams.com/FreeNewLife.
Dr. Dave Williams is a teacher, coach, and trainer to successful, pacesetting leaders in ministry, business, and life. After more than 30 years of leading a flourishing church and establishing over 500 daughter churches around the world, he has the knowledge and experience to help you succeed and be fruitful in your life’s calling.
