Prayer~

 

November 16, 2013

Prayer

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

So what about prayer?  Is it important? How important?  It appears in the Scriptures over 300 times.  I think it safe to say that it is pretty important.  What does the Bible say about it?  What ways are we to pray?  These are just a few of what I have looked at.  Fervently (having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm,)… “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).  Constantly (continuing without pause or letup; unceasing) on behalf of others … “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5).  Effectively (adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result)…  “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).  Steadfastly (fixed in direction; steadily directed)... “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” (Romans 12:12)  With lifted hands (to raise or direct upward; the act of lifting, raising or rising)... “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;” (1 Timothy 2:8). “Without Ceasing (to NOT stop; OR discontinue)… “pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18). This also mentions that it is the will of God... Thankfully (grateful and appreciative)...  “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;” (Colossians 4:2). In the Spirit (according to the Spirit’s leading) “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,” (Jude 1:20); “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,” (Ephesians 6:18).  “Oswald Sanders says: “It hardly need be said that to pray in the Spirit means to pray in harmony with the Word of God, which He has inspired. He does not speak with two voices. He will never move us to pray for something that is not sanctioned by Scripture.”   John Piper says: “Praying in the Spirit is a divine means that God has appointed for keeping us in the love of God, and thus safe for eternal life.”    

When we are weakened, and do not know what to pray, He prays for us! “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

Are you anxious?  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6).  Are you in need of healing? “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).  Are you tempted? “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).  Are you suffering?  “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms”. Pray for others. “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).   

Clearly, it is important to God that we pray, since it is mentioned so many times in His word and: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3: 16).  Holy God, thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for Jesus, who makes it even possible for me to approach Your throne of grace.  Thank You that You hear me when I call.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Stoking~

November 4, 2013

Evan comes home from Bible Study, and says upon walking in from the frigid outside, that he is sleeping in the fireplace warmed living room.  To which I replied, I thought you liked sleeping in the cold?  He said yes, or when I can sleep with no blanket.  I told him that he better bring a blanket out, because as soon as the fire goes out, it will get cold.  That's the thing with fireplaces.  If you don’t get up during the night and add wood and stoke it up, it will burn out.  He said “that fireplace needs Jesus!”  I asked him if that is all it took to keep the fire burning was Jesus?  

I love practical life lessons.  This is the way it is with our lives if we have asked Jesus to live in our hearts.  If we expect the fire within to never go out without stoking, or adding fuel, we are sadly mistaken.  It is not just a onetime thing where you add some fuel, or proclaim it and it burns forever.  It takes work on our part.  In order for this fireplace to continue to warm our home, and keep providing warmth, then we must add wood, and stoke it to keep it going.  Same as our Spiritual life, in order for our hearts to not grow cold, we must add fuel.  Fuel in the form of: keeping in communication with our Lord, studying His word, praying, fellowshipping with others, etc… Thank You God for visuals and parallels that show me the importance of fueling the fire within so that it doesn’t die out.  In Jesus Name, Amen

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2: 12-13).