Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
The apostle James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, and on this occasion the disciples of Christ got a first hand view of what prayer should really be, insomuch that when they compared the way Jesus prayed with their own feeble, mechanical prayers, they were moved to ask The Lord to teach them how to pray. Prayer is the opening up of our souls to God in sincerity and truth with a "No holds barred approach", by which we are free to speak about anything and everything to God. The Lord is interested in the minutest details of our lives, and therefore because we are His by creation and redemption, he has a vested interest in every detail of our that pertains to our well-being.
The Bible gives us an idea of the effectual fervent prayers of Christ, so that we too may follow in His footsteps in letting our needs, our wants, our grievances, our joys, and our sorrows be made known unto God. Let's read:
Hebrews 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.
We must never conclude that God is only interested in righteousness and forgiveness of sins, for while these are very important, the Bible lets us know that He is also interested in our overall well-being, and that's why we can take everything to God in prayer. One of the issues which can greatly affect our stability and happiness in life is marriage, because the permanent union of male and female through this sacred institution can be the beginning bright days ahead, or it can be the prelude to one's worst nightmares, and thus we should pray as we never prayed before, when entering upon this endless journey.
This is what Abraham and Isaac did when they were looking for a soul-mate for Isaac, and God responded in the affirmative by providing someone who was both spiritual and good-looking, a combination which is becoming very rare to find nowadays. We must be aware that when we pray in sincerity and truth, God grants us our reasonable requests by showering us with the very best of gifts He can bestow. The family of Abraham understood this important truth, and so everyone prayed the "Effectual fervent prayer" whereby God took the matter in hand personally, and thus provided the perfect match for Isaac, a wife who possessed both internal and external beauty such as is not easily to found. Let's read:
Genesis 24:12 And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. 62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
In our own experiences as Christians, we should form the habit of taking every issue and concern to God in prayer with the full assurance that He will not only hear and answer our requests, but that He will also make any necessary modifications so that His children can receive the very best in life. We therefore end with a promise that encourages us to press our petitions to the throne of grace so that we may find the necessary help when needed. Let's read:
Philipians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We sincerely hope and pray that these words of encouragement will inspire hope and confidence in the Great God of heaven. "Good night" and God bless!