On the Road to Pentecost: Let us Pray

Just before we get into our reflection, let’s take a look at the word “AMEN”

After every prayer, chances are we say AMEN, but do we really know what we are saying? Do we really understand that it’s not just a thing we say out of tradition?

AMEN is actually a Hebrew word which is related to two other Hebrew words, EMET, meaning Truth and EMUN, faith or trust.

When we say AMEN we are actually affirming what was said or declaring “I believe this to be true”

So, to say AMEN is a serious thing; it’s not a word which simply concludes a prayer or means “The End”

AMEN is a commitment of agreement. In Jewish culture AMEN was not said by the one praying but only by the congregation as a sign that they were not only in agreement with the words that were spoken but also that they too offered those same words to God.

AMEN is a connector…it connects us to each other. Just as prayer connects us…

“Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 [AMP]

Jesus makes three specific promises concerning prayer,

 

1. Anyone who asks in prayer and keeps asking receives.

 

2. Anyone who keeps seeking in prayer will find.

 

3. Anyone who keeps on knocking on spiritual doors through prayer would have those doors opened.

 

Asking, Seeking, and Knocking in prayer are integral to the process of receiving what we need and teaches us to be faithful, responsible, and patient, all means of building solid Christian character. The moment we pray, the process begins, as we see in Daniel 10:12.

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. (NLT)

Prayer is the key to enter into the presence of God – for Psalm 141 verse 2 says, “Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You…” 

Our prayers should come from our hearts, hearts that are pure, “without anger or quarrelling or resentment or doubt [in our minds]” according to first Timothy 2:8. 

We must be true pray-ers, not like those Pharisees who love to be seen, making long public prayers as Matthew 6:5 tells us – they utter useless hypocritical prayers for man’s recognition.

Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, exhorts us to “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]”. 

God wants to hear from us, His children. He looks forward to it and does not want us to withhold our prayers. Our Lord Jesus was always in prayer; He is our example to follow. 

Jesus prayed for every reason and on all occasions. Jesus taught His disciples how to be effective and efficient in prayer (we read this in Matthew 6:6-15).

The disciples recognized the importance of going to the Father in prayer. And we too must come to that realization; we must bring all our concerns to God in prayer because everything that is of concern to us is of concern to our God and, even though He already knows, He desires to hear about it from us.

Prayer has the power to remove obstacles, break barriers, pull down strongholds, open doors, close doors, change lives, heal the sick, cure addictions, guide the lost back home, enable victories, calm the storms of life, restore broken marriages, create pure hearts, renew steadfast spirits, and strengthen our relationship with God.

Prayer is amazingly effective!

So, as we continue to travel on the road to Pentecost, let us spend time in God's presence through prayer. Let us utilize God's own Word to fashion personal prayers, as we ask and seek and knock. Let us pray.

Let us pray, expecting our prayers to be answered because God's Word does not return to Him without effect (see Isaiah 55:11).

Let us pray, expecting great things to happen in our lives during our conversations with God; remember to listen out for His small, still voice. 

Beloved, we will emerge better off than when we began, as we purposely spend time in His presence.

Shall we say Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “On the Road to Pentecost: Let us Pray” © 2024 revisited May 19, 2025