I am convinced that everyone prays. Even an atheist has a way of expressing their needs to someone or something other than themselves. They too need help through difficult times. There is something deep within every human being that cries out for help. When trouble comes our way or when someone we know is going through struggles, we reach out. Major religions around the world each have their own view of what prayer should consist of. There are also many ideas on how prayer should be delivered. Some require a set schedule of prayer, while for others it’s more a form of meditation. Prayer is a vital element of the human soul.
I was raised in church. My mom was the church secretary in a small congregational church in Massachusetts when we were growing up. We had to be in church! I sang in the children’s choir. Our family was involved in everything that went on at church. At 13, I was confirmed and started being a teachers helper in Sunday School. A friend and I ran a small teen hangout in the church for a while. We were at church a lot
We learned to pray at an early age. Reciting our bedtime prayers and praying over meals were the two ways we practiced. But when I reached the rebellious age of 16, I wandered away from church and set out on a road of self-destruction. Drugs, alcohol, sex, and parties were all that seemed to matter. Church was ignored. Even then, I can remember praying at certain times. It is something that stuck with me even when I was away from God. I wasn’t even sure at times who I was praying to. I just knew I had to call out to something greater then myself.
In 1976, I made a trip to Iowa. We attended a service earlier in the week. The preacher had me convinced I was going to hell, and I knew I did not want to go there! The night before I was going to head home, my friends pastor came to his trailer. There, in my best friend’s mobile home, I prayed the sinners’ prayer. I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.
I was saved that night. Upon returning to Massachusetts, I started attending that same congregational church I grew up in. Two years later, on a return trip to Iowa, I met my future wife and moved to Iowa in 1978. We were married by years end. Three children and five great grandchildren have come along and we will soon be celebrating 40 years together.
This was a time when I really started to grow in the Lord and learn His ways. I was focused on building a family and growing in the Lord. Long hours were spent in prayer and in the word. Reading through the bible several years in a row brought understanding. Studying things I did not understand were all priorities of mine. Seeking God for wisdom was at the top of my list during those years. I became a worship leader in my small church. Some lay ministry and prison outreach occurred. I developed a prayer life, but I always sensed there was a lot more than I currently realized.
What is prayer? When should we pray? How should we pray? Why should we pray? How can we pray effectively? I had so many questions about prayer through these years of my walk with the Lord that I decided to study and learn for myself. In 1990 I earnestly sought the Lord with these questions and developed the basics for what I thought would eventfully be a book. After finishing the study, it sat on a shelf at home. Recently, those notes were found in a house cleaning session. I decided to take another look at it and make it book ready. Ideas and concepts were added that I learned since the original study. I used this on my blog over a period of a month to get feedback from fellow bloggers. I was pleased it was so well received.
My desire is that together we can get a better understanding of the inner workings of prayer. Many of you might know much of what I will share. I hope all will gain new insights into their own prayer lives.
I pray this book will strengthen the kingdom of God in these last days. I pray it will glorify God for the wonderful gift of prayer that He has given us. We desperately need an outpouring of effective prayer in our world today. I pray this book will start a tsunami of prayer that will sweep the church, our nation and our world.
If you would like a copy of “The A.S.K. Principle” it is available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble and also through my web site at www.theaskprinciple.com
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