Defining Prayer (continued)

way, so that we might be covered by His power and anointing and not be susceptible to Satan's influences.

We must remember that prayer is rooted in forgiveness. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." The relationship of God's people to Him comes about because of continuous forgiveness. If we are going to see miracles in our lives, we have to be willing to forgive other people, even as God is willing to forgive us.

Christians should always be in an attitude of communion with God. Prayer can take place in every circumstance. In my life, as events pass by, I may find myself talking to Him, wanting to know something, asking for advice and counsel, or for favor and blessing. The Christian's life should be filled with prayer. In addition, we should set aside specific times, at least once a day, for prayer and for reading the Bible.

As we read the Bible, we should pray, worship God, speak to Him about our needs, and listen to His answers. This should be a time of communication between two spirits that sets the order of events for each day.

FAITH UNDER FIRE
Instructor dismissed after explaining faith to parent of sick child

2009 WorldNetDaily: A teacher, who was dismissed from her position after she offered to pray for a sick student and the student's parent complained, is being defended by a Christian legal organization.

"The story of Olive Jones is sadly becoming all too familiar in this country," said Andrea Williams, director of the UK-based Christian Legal Centre. "It is the result of a heavy-handed so-called equalities agenda that discriminates against Christians and seeks to eliminate Christian expression from the public square."

Jones, with 20 years of experience in teaching, said she was left feeling like a criminal after she offered to pray during a home tutoring visit. The 54-year-old mother of two taught mathematics to children who were too sick to attend school.

She said her bosses at Oak Hill Short Stay School and Tuition Service in Somerset, England, had told her the statements she made could be perceived as "bullying."

Jones said it happened one day when a child, whose identity was being protected, didn't feel well enough for class. Jones said while the child was in another room, she told the child's parent of her faith and offered to pray.

The child's mother then filed a formal complaint.

"Olive Jones had compassion for her pupil and finds herself without a job because she expressed the hope that comes with faith," said Williams. "It is time for a common sense approach to be restored in all these matters."

"If I had done something criminal, I believe the reaction would have been the same. It is like a black mark against my name and character when it comes to getting a reference for another job, just because I shared my testimony – as if I committed a criminal act," Jones said in a report posted by the legal center.

"I'm not out to get anyone, I am angry at their interpretation of freedom of speech. I am amazed that a country with such a strong Christian tradition has become a country where it is hard to speak about your faith," she said.

The situation recalls that of a Christian nurse, Caroline Petrie, on whose case WND previously reported.

She was threatened with dismissal for offering to pray for her patients' recovery. She later was reinstated.

The legal organization said the North Somerset Primary Care Trust made the threat, then subsequently released a statement that Petrie as acting in the "best interests of her patients."

Petrie was suspended and faced further discipline because her employer claimed she failed to show a "personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity" when she suggested the prayer.