Most Christians long for a dynamic and fruitful prayer life. Yet, many find themselves defeated when it comes to their communication with God. If the average church member were to be asked how much time he or she spends in prayer, most would probably be too embarrassed to answer the question. That's not a criticism. Just a statement of fact. Yet, prayer holds the key to developing intimacy with God and consistency in our walk with Him.

What is victorious Christian praying and how do we become such intercessors? There are three parts of that question - what is prayer; what is Christian praying; and what is victorious praying? In order to be victorious in our praying, then we must understand the essentials of what prayer is and what it's not. Prayer's not a religious obligation. It's not a formal ritual. It's not seeking God as though He's some Santa Claus in the sky.

In its purest form, prayer is simply intimate communication with the Father. It's those who know Him getting to know Him better. It's a loving and listening relationship with the God who created us and saved us. This understanding of prayer will change a person's perspective on prayer and enable him to enter into victorious Christian praying. Without it, prayer becomes drudgery and duty rather than adventure and victory. The latter is what God desires for each of us.

I've walked into a revolution, the aftermath of an attempted genocide, and into the middle of a nation torn by war. I've met with members of Parliament, Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, and a prime minister. But I can honestly say that none of those experiences compare to the utter thrill and excitement of coming into the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There's no greater joy than having intimate, meaningful conversations with the One who created the universe. Think of it - the God who hung the world in space; He who put the stars in place - this same God desires to commune with us - heart to heart. Wow! Nothing can match that.

Prayer is the communion of two hearts. Thus, there lies a great difference between praying and Christian praying. Most praying today consists of religious duty rather than genuine Christian praying. Muslims pray. Jews pray. Hindus pray. Church members pray. So, what's the difference in Christian praying and religious praying? Religious praying is man's attempt to reach up to God. However, genuine Christian praying is God making a way for us to enter into His presence and have fellowship with Him.

God is absolutely holy. It would be impossible for anyone or anything unholy to come into the presence of a completely holy God. That's the whole reason that Jesus died on the cross 2000 years ago. When Jesus died on the cross, the Bible says, "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matt. 27:51 NIV). The curtain was that which separated the holy of holies, from the holy place. Only the high priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies because that was the place of the manifest presence of God. And a sinful man could not enter into the presence of a Holy God. But when Jesus died, He made available to us the forgiveness for our sin and provided cleansing for all who believed on Him.

Therefore, by the grace of God, we have access into the presence of Almighty God. Think about that. You and I, by the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, can have access into the presence of the Creator of the universe. That's Christian praying. Coming to God - not by our own religious works of righteousness - but by His grace. That changes the whole concept of prayer. It's no longer duty. It's delight. It's not religion, but relationship. It's not defeat. It's victory - victorious Christian praying.