This time of year it is common to reflect on God's blessings from the past year as we prepare for what He has in store for us in the year ahead.
As Christians, we must consider what’s involved when we pray for blessings; the Bible reveals what we need to know.
We all love God’s promises, and use them often in prayer. It strengthens our prayers to use Scripture, and it is good to show God that we’re aware of the things He has promised to do for His children. But we must be careful to consider His promises in the context of the passages in which they appear, as well as the broader context of the whole body of truth in the Bible. There is probably no stronger or more repeated condition in Scripture than obedience.
We’re to obey the commandments of God. He made especially clear in Deuteronomy that His blessings for His people are contingent upon their obedience [Deut. 30:16]. Jesus emphasized no less than five times that obedience is a demonstration of our love for God [John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 15:10].
The Apostle John teaches that we can have whatever we ask in prayer when our hearts do not condemn us and our lives are obedient and pleasing to God [1 John 3:22]. Should we claim God’s promises for those who are disobedient and expect Him to answer? When we want God’s abundant blessings for someone, we must pray that they will be enabled to live the life that meets the conditions of obedience, and any other condition we’re aware of.
Scripture is very specific. You might begin to note verses that tell us if we will do something or behave in some way, then God will respond with His blessings. Those verses can be turned into powerful prayers. Psalm 37 has many such promises and conditions. Here are key ideas from a few of them, and suggestions for prayer:
v. 4 -- If we delight ourselves in the Lord, then He will give us the desires of our heart. "Father, help us to delight ourselves in You, so that You can give us the desires of our heart -- Your desires, Father. Let us have no desires but Yours."
v.5 -- If we commit our way to the Lord and trust in Him, then He will help us to be righteous. "Lord, help us to commit our lives to You, all that we are and all that we do, and to trust You without reservation, for we want to be righteous in Your strength."
v. 23 -- If the Lord delights in a man’s way, then He will make our steps firm and keep us from stumbling. "Father, help us to live obedient lives, for we know that pleases You, and You will keep us from stumbling and falling into sin."
v. 26 -- If we are generous and lend freely, our children will be blessed. "Lord, give us a generous spirit, that we might give and lend freely to those in need, that You may bless our children in every way."
God has filled His Word with powerful promises for His children who live obedient, Spirit-filled lives. Hewants to bless us, and He’s given us very clear conditions so that we can make right choices. Our prayers are surely according to His will when we ask for His enabling power to make those choices.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
New Life in Christ: Have Open Hearts
The following is a prayer in our New Life in Christ series. To read more, or order your own copy of one of our prayer guides, visit us here.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
Some of these I’m praying for may attend church regularly, and they don’t know that they’re not saved. Send someone to open their eyes, as You sent Paul to Lydia. She worshiped You, she was a woman of prayer—yet she didn’t know Christ until You opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Do it for these I pray for; open their hearts. (Acts 16:13-14)
If they’re students of the Bible, protect them from thinking that by that, they possess eternal life. Help them see that the Bible testifies about Jesus, that they must come to Him personally to have life. (John 5:39-40)
Don’t let them be deceived like the Pharisees—who prayed, fasted, tithed and regularly attended their synagogues, for none of that saved them. Jesus came in Your name, and they didn’t receive Him. Help these who are lost see that there is no other way! (Luke 18:11-12; 11:42, 43; John 5:40, 43; 1:12; 14:6)
Send them the right person at the right time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
Some of these I’m praying for may attend church regularly, and they don’t know that they’re not saved. Send someone to open their eyes, as You sent Paul to Lydia. She worshiped You, she was a woman of prayer—yet she didn’t know Christ until You opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Do it for these I pray for; open their hearts. (Acts 16:13-14)
If they’re students of the Bible, protect them from thinking that by that, they possess eternal life. Help them see that the Bible testifies about Jesus, that they must come to Him personally to have life. (John 5:39-40)
Don’t let them be deceived like the Pharisees—who prayed, fasted, tithed and regularly attended their synagogues, for none of that saved them. Jesus came in Your name, and they didn’t receive Him. Help these who are lost see that there is no other way! (Luke 18:11-12; 11:42, 43; John 5:40, 43; 1:12; 14:6)
Send them the right person at the right time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
New Life in Christ: Be Enlightened
The following is a prayer in our New Life in Christ series. To read more, or order your own copy of one of our prayer guides, visit us here.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
Send someone to gently instruct them when the time is right in their lives, someone to share the gospel not simply with words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. May they receive Your Word and accept it, not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God. (2 Timothy 2:25; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2:13)
Enlighten them, that they may see Christ as the light of the world and follow Him so they will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life. Show them Your unfailing love and grant them Your salvation. (Psalm 13:3; John 8:12; Psalm 85:7)
Have mercy on them, as You had on Paul. I know He once was a Pharisee who opposed Jesus, who persecuted Your people and put them in prison. He was violent, acting in ignorance and unbelief—yet the grace of our Lord was poured out on him abundantly, along with faith and love. May it be so for these I pray for—apart from grace, they cannot be saved. (Acts 26:5, 9-11; 1 Timothy 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:8-9)
In Your mercy, pour out Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
PrayerPower is a fully authorized nonprofit organization under section 501(C)(3) of the IRS Code. We welcome your support through prayer, as well as donations. All contributions are fully tax deductible. To make a gift in support of our mission click here.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
Send someone to gently instruct them when the time is right in their lives, someone to share the gospel not simply with words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. May they receive Your Word and accept it, not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God. (2 Timothy 2:25; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2:13)
Enlighten them, that they may see Christ as the light of the world and follow Him so they will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life. Show them Your unfailing love and grant them Your salvation. (Psalm 13:3; John 8:12; Psalm 85:7)
Have mercy on them, as You had on Paul. I know He once was a Pharisee who opposed Jesus, who persecuted Your people and put them in prison. He was violent, acting in ignorance and unbelief—yet the grace of our Lord was poured out on him abundantly, along with faith and love. May it be so for these I pray for—apart from grace, they cannot be saved. (Acts 26:5, 9-11; 1 Timothy 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:8-9)
In Your mercy, pour out Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
PrayerPower is a fully authorized nonprofit organization under section 501(C)(3) of the IRS Code. We welcome your support through prayer, as well as donations. All contributions are fully tax deductible. To make a gift in support of our mission click here.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
#GivingTuesday
Today is #GivingTuesday!
After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, people all over the world come together on Giving Tuesday to support the organizations they care about.
We're so blessed to be in your life and hope you feel the same. If you feel lead, please consider a tax deductible donation to Prayer Power today!
https://www.prayerpowerministries.com/give-to-prayerpower/
Thursday, October 31, 2013
New Life in Christ: Receive the Truth
The following is a prayer in our New Life in Christ series. To read more, or order your own copy of one of our prayer guides, visit us here.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
You are the Lord of the Harvest, and I ask You to plant the seeds of truth in the hearts of these who need salvation. Only You can help them to see the cross and understand their need of our Savior, to know Him as the Son of the living God. Reveal Christ to them. (Matthew 9:38; 16:16-17)
Send Your workers into the field, people they trust, whose very lives will be the salt and light they need to see. Send someone into their lives as You sent Peter to Cornelius; help them to be as ready as Cornelius was to listen to the truth. May the Holy Spirit come upon them even as they hear, with His saving power. (Matthew 9:38; 5:13, 14; Acts 10:30-33, 44)
Give them faith to believe in the name of the Lord Jesus as Savior and Redeemer and to receive Him into their hearts. May they confess with their mouths, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in their hearts that You raised Him from the dead. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; Luke 2:11; Isaiah 47:4; Romans 10:9)
May they hear the truth, and believe it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
You are the Lord of the Harvest, and I ask You to plant the seeds of truth in the hearts of these who need salvation. Only You can help them to see the cross and understand their need of our Savior, to know Him as the Son of the living God. Reveal Christ to them. (Matthew 9:38; 16:16-17)
Send Your workers into the field, people they trust, whose very lives will be the salt and light they need to see. Send someone into their lives as You sent Peter to Cornelius; help them to be as ready as Cornelius was to listen to the truth. May the Holy Spirit come upon them even as they hear, with His saving power. (Matthew 9:38; 5:13, 14; Acts 10:30-33, 44)
Give them faith to believe in the name of the Lord Jesus as Savior and Redeemer and to receive Him into their hearts. May they confess with their mouths, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in their hearts that You raised Him from the dead. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; Luke 2:11; Isaiah 47:4; Romans 10:9)
May they hear the truth, and believe it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Monday, October 28, 2013
New Life in Christ: Hear Your Words
The following is a prayer in our New Life in Christ series. To read more, or order your own copy of one of our prayer guides, visit us here.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
You are the God who gives life to the spiritually dead. (Romans 4:17)
I thank You that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But Scripture asks, how can these I’m praying for call on Jesus if they have not believed in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they’ve not heard about Him? And how can they hear without someone bringing the truth to them? And how can they hear, unless that person is sent? (Romans 10:13-15)
I ask You to send someone into each of their lives, someone with the message of life, the Word of Christ—for Your Word does not return empty, it accomplishes what You desire and achieves the purpose for which it is sent. (Romans 10:17; Isaiah 55:11)
May they hear the words of Christ—for His words are spirit and they are life. May the words that they hear not be stolen from their hearts. (John 6:63; Luke 8:12)
Send someone they can respect, to bring them the truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
You are the God who gives life to the spiritually dead. (Romans 4:17)
I thank You that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But Scripture asks, how can these I’m praying for call on Jesus if they have not believed in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they’ve not heard about Him? And how can they hear without someone bringing the truth to them? And how can they hear, unless that person is sent? (Romans 10:13-15)
I ask You to send someone into each of their lives, someone with the message of life, the Word of Christ—for Your Word does not return empty, it accomplishes what You desire and achieves the purpose for which it is sent. (Romans 10:17; Isaiah 55:11)
May they hear the words of Christ—for His words are spirit and they are life. May the words that they hear not be stolen from their hearts. (John 6:63; Luke 8:12)
Send someone they can respect, to bring them the truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Monday, September 30, 2013
New Life in Christ: Be Drawn to Christ
The following is a prayer in our New Life in Christ series. To read more, or order your own copy of one of our prayer guides, visit us here.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
Unless You draw these who are unsaved to Christ, they cannot come. Except You enable them, they’re lost. (John 6:44, 65)
Because of Your great love and mercy, make these who are spiritually dead in their sins alive with Christ. Give them ears to hear and hearts to respond to the truth. (Ephesians 2:4-5; John 5:24-25; Acts 16:14)
Save them by Your grace—through the faith that is a gift from You. Help them to understand that they can only be saved by grace, the gift of Your unmerited favor, totally undeserved. Help them understand that they can never be good enough or work hard enough to earn their salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Rescue them out of the kingdom of darkness and bring them into the kingdom of Your Son. Make them new creations in Christ: give them a whole new spiritual life. Reconcile them to Yourself through Christ, so that their sins will not be counted against them. (Colossians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19)
Draw them, enable them, rescue them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
Unless You draw these who are unsaved to Christ, they cannot come. Except You enable them, they’re lost. (John 6:44, 65)
Because of Your great love and mercy, make these who are spiritually dead in their sins alive with Christ. Give them ears to hear and hearts to respond to the truth. (Ephesians 2:4-5; John 5:24-25; Acts 16:14)
Save them by Your grace—through the faith that is a gift from You. Help them to understand that they can only be saved by grace, the gift of Your unmerited favor, totally undeserved. Help them understand that they can never be good enough or work hard enough to earn their salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Rescue them out of the kingdom of darkness and bring them into the kingdom of Your Son. Make them new creations in Christ: give them a whole new spiritual life. Reconcile them to Yourself through Christ, so that their sins will not be counted against them. (Colossians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19)
Draw them, enable them, rescue them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Friday, September 27, 2013
New Life in Christ: Have Their Eyes Opened
The following is a prayer in our New Life in Christ series. To read more, or order your own copy of one of our prayer guides, visit us here.
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
Send Your life-giving Spirit to hover over the lives of these in need of salvation, as He hovered over the waters of creation to bring forth life. (John 6:63; Genesis 1:2)
In Your kindness and love, I ask You to send Your Spirit to save them. In Your mercy grant them rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom You pour out on us generously. Make them heirs of eternal life! (Titus 3:4-7)
Open their hearts to respond to the truth of the gospel. Help them to believe that You so loved the world that You gave Your only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. May they never reject Your Son. (Acts 16:14; John 3:16, 36)
Send them someone as You sent John the Baptist—to testify to the truth, that they may be saved. Send someone as You sent Paul to the Gentiles—to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light. (John 1:29; Acts 26:17-18)
Send them life and truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
New Life in Christ: Be Given Spiritual Life
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
This post appears as a part of our #NewLifeInChrist series. As this impacts your personal prayer life, we'd ask that you share it online using #NewLifeInChrist.
Be Given Spiritual Life
Save them by Your grace. Grant them new spiritual birth, that they be truly born again, for they can neither see nor enter Your kingdom until they’re born of the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:5; John 3:3, 5, 8)
Send Your Spirit to them, for He is the breath of life. May He come over them like the wind that blows wherever it pleases. Bring Him like the breath who entered the dry, dead bones Ezekiel saw in the valley. Draw the Spirit as the breath who will enter them and give them life. (Revelation 11:11; John 3:8; Ezekiel 37:5, 6, 9-10)
Pour Your Spirit upon them as Your gift, the promise who will indwell them. Put Your Spirit in them, and they will live—and know that You, the Lord, have done it. (Isaiah 44:3; Acts 2:38-39; Ezekiel 37:14)
Give them to Christ, because He receives those You give Him, and He will protect them and keep them safe. (John 17:2, 9, 12)
Breathe life into them, Your spiritual life, as only You can do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Help them to stand firm. In Jesus’ name, amen.
This post appears as a part of our #NewLifeInChrist series. As this impacts your personal prayer life, we'd ask that you share it online using #NewLifeInChrist.
Be Given Spiritual Life
Save them by Your grace. Grant them new spiritual birth, that they be truly born again, for they can neither see nor enter Your kingdom until they’re born of the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:5; John 3:3, 5, 8)
Send Your Spirit to them, for He is the breath of life. May He come over them like the wind that blows wherever it pleases. Bring Him like the breath who entered the dry, dead bones Ezekiel saw in the valley. Draw the Spirit as the breath who will enter them and give them life. (Revelation 11:11; John 3:8; Ezekiel 37:5, 6, 9-10)
Pour Your Spirit upon them as Your gift, the promise who will indwell them. Put Your Spirit in them, and they will live—and know that You, the Lord, have done it. (Isaiah 44:3; Acts 2:38-39; Ezekiel 37:14)
Give them to Christ, because He receives those You give Him, and He will protect them and keep them safe. (John 17:2, 9, 12)
Breathe life into them, Your spiritual life, as only You can do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Help them to stand firm. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
New Life in Christ:
This post appears as a part of our #NewLifeInChrist series. As this impacts your personal prayer life, we'd ask that you share it online using #NewLifeInChrist.
Believe in Christ’s Name
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
As I pray for these who are not yet saved, there is so much at stake. I can’t help but think of all the lives they’ll touch and pray for in their lifetimes following their salvation, and the impact that can have for the generations to come! (Psalm 22:30-31)
I thank You that You have clearly said in Your Word that You want the lost to come to You through Christ—that You want all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. I thank You that Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all men. No one was left out of His sacrifice; the price has already been paid. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
Jesus came into the world as the true light that gives light to every person. May these who are unsaved see that light and be drawn to it, loving it more than the darkness. May they receive Christ and believe in His name—trusting and relying on Him, not simply understanding who He is—for those who do are given the right to become Your children. (John 1:9; 3:19; 1:12)
Grant them new life in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Believe in Christ’s Name
Father, I pray for (name one or more) …
As I pray for these who are not yet saved, there is so much at stake. I can’t help but think of all the lives they’ll touch and pray for in their lifetimes following their salvation, and the impact that can have for the generations to come! (Psalm 22:30-31)
I thank You that You have clearly said in Your Word that You want the lost to come to You through Christ—that You want all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. I thank You that Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all men. No one was left out of His sacrifice; the price has already been paid. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
Jesus came into the world as the true light that gives light to every person. May these who are unsaved see that light and be drawn to it, loving it more than the darkness. May they receive Christ and believe in His name—trusting and relying on Him, not simply understanding who He is—for those who do are given the right to become Your children. (John 1:9; 3:19; 1:12)
Grant them new life in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Upcoming Series: Praying for New Life in Christ
We are so blessed by God's rich work in our lives.
He is our fountain.
He is our shepherd.
He is our all in all.
With that in mind, over the next few weeks we're going to be posting material from one of our prayer guides, New Life in Christ.
We pray that these posts bless you. Impact you. And allow the Holy Spirit to well up in you.
These Bible-based prayers have been written in a way that makes them easy to pray. They include requests for not only practical, material needs, but for deeper spiritual needs as well. Because they are written from Scripture, they express God’s will. And when we pray His will, He promises to answer! (1 John 5:14-15)
As you read the prayers, we'd challenge you to:
• Read them just as they appear.
“Open their hearts to respond to the truth of the gospel.” (Acts 16:14)
• Use them as an outline for your personal prayer.
Pray a sentence or two, just enough to present a complete thought. Then add your own personal prayer, before moving on to the next thought:
“Open their hearts to respond to the truth of the gospel.” (Acts 16:14)
You might add something like—“I know that only You can open their hearts. They can neither understand or receive the truth without You. Please touch their hearts with Your love and power.”
We pray that these prayers--these posts--and our ministry drive you to new life in Christ.
He is our fountain.
He is our shepherd.
He is our all in all.
With that in mind, over the next few weeks we're going to be posting material from one of our prayer guides, New Life in Christ.
We pray that these posts bless you. Impact you. And allow the Holy Spirit to well up in you.
These Bible-based prayers have been written in a way that makes them easy to pray. They include requests for not only practical, material needs, but for deeper spiritual needs as well. Because they are written from Scripture, they express God’s will. And when we pray His will, He promises to answer! (1 John 5:14-15)
As you read the prayers, we'd challenge you to:
• Read them just as they appear.
“Open their hearts to respond to the truth of the gospel.” (Acts 16:14)
• Use them as an outline for your personal prayer.
Pray a sentence or two, just enough to present a complete thought. Then add your own personal prayer, before moving on to the next thought:
“Open their hearts to respond to the truth of the gospel.” (Acts 16:14)
You might add something like—“I know that only You can open their hearts. They can neither understand or receive the truth without You. Please touch their hearts with Your love and power.”
We pray that these prayers--these posts--and our ministry drive you to new life in Christ.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Setting the Lord Before Us
“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8, NIV)
Jehovah
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)
Father, we set You before us as the LORD—Jehovah, I Am who I Am (Exodus 3:14)—You are beyond time and space, the One who set the start in place (Psalm 8:3) and calls them each by name (Psalm 147:4)—100 billion galaxies, each with 100 billion stars! You are eternal (Genesis 21:33) and unchanging (Malachi 3:6), the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Father, bless us with keeping our eyes on You (Hebrews 12:2), no matter how difficult the times may be. Grant us the courage You gave Peter when he got out of the boat to walk on the water with You (Matthew 14:29). May we see You as our LORD—Jehovah, I Am who I Am (Exodus 3:14)—always present (Psalm
139:7-10), eternal (Genesis 21:33), unchanging (Malachi 3:6). Bless us with setting our minds on You (Colossians 3:2)as we move through this day.
God is able
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV) LORD, we set You before us (Psalm 16:8) as our God who is able—You are our Creator God who is infinitely creative, infinitely conceptual, infinitely powerful, infinitely able—what an awesome God we serve (Psalm 68:35)! Your love is abounding (Psalm 103:8), Your faithfulness
reaches to the skies (Psalm 108:4). There is no other God than You, the one and only living God (Jeremiah 10:10), our glory (Psalm 3:3) and our only hope (Colossians 1:27). Without You we can do nothing (John 15:5); with you all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)!
Father, bless us with believing the truth that nothing is impossible for You (Luke 1:37), nothing is too hard for You to do (Jeremiah 32:17). May we trust that You who parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:26-29), brought water from the rock (Exodus 17:6) and fed thousands with a few loaves and fish (Luke 9:16) are equally able and willing to meet our needs. Grant that we will have more than enough for the good works You have prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Bless us with standing firm in our faith (Isaiah 7:9)!
Jehovah
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)
Father, we set You before us as the LORD—Jehovah, I Am who I Am (Exodus 3:14)—You are beyond time and space, the One who set the start in place (Psalm 8:3) and calls them each by name (Psalm 147:4)—100 billion galaxies, each with 100 billion stars! You are eternal (Genesis 21:33) and unchanging (Malachi 3:6), the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Father, bless us with keeping our eyes on You (Hebrews 12:2), no matter how difficult the times may be. Grant us the courage You gave Peter when he got out of the boat to walk on the water with You (Matthew 14:29). May we see You as our LORD—Jehovah, I Am who I Am (Exodus 3:14)—always present (Psalm
139:7-10), eternal (Genesis 21:33), unchanging (Malachi 3:6). Bless us with setting our minds on You (Colossians 3:2)as we move through this day.
God is able
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV) LORD, we set You before us (Psalm 16:8) as our God who is able—You are our Creator God who is infinitely creative, infinitely conceptual, infinitely powerful, infinitely able—what an awesome God we serve (Psalm 68:35)! Your love is abounding (Psalm 103:8), Your faithfulness
reaches to the skies (Psalm 108:4). There is no other God than You, the one and only living God (Jeremiah 10:10), our glory (Psalm 3:3) and our only hope (Colossians 1:27). Without You we can do nothing (John 15:5); with you all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)!
Father, bless us with believing the truth that nothing is impossible for You (Luke 1:37), nothing is too hard for You to do (Jeremiah 32:17). May we trust that You who parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:26-29), brought water from the rock (Exodus 17:6) and fed thousands with a few loaves and fish (Luke 9:16) are equally able and willing to meet our needs. Grant that we will have more than enough for the good works You have prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Bless us with standing firm in our faith (Isaiah 7:9)!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Lord of the Harvest
“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:38)
Praying the names of God—
It always honors God when our prayers begin with worship, focusing our attention on Him rather than on our needs and requests. Jesus taught us that we should come to our Father to “hallow His name” before we ask for our daily needs to be met (Matthew 6:9-11).
To hallow God’s name is to take the time to understand what it represents of His divine nature and character, of how He is able and willing to work in our lives. When we are interceding, we have a specific need—and calling on Him by one of His revealed names is saying to Him, this is who I need You to be in answer to my prayer. When in turmoil, we need Him to be our Prince of Peace. Seeking guidance, we come to our Shepherd to lead us. In financial stress, we call out to our Provider. For the lost, we cry to the Lord of the harvest.
Jesus said—commanded, according to the tense of the verb—that we should pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into His harvest field (Matthew 9:38). We know that as intercessors, we’re an important part of those workers (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Our prayers pave the way for our Father to draw them (John 6:44), to enable them to come (John 6:65) and to send His Holy Spirit to grant them rebirth (John 3:3, 5). Our prayers help open the door for divine appointments for the workers He sends into the field.
The Lord of the harvest will send someone into the life of a friend or loved one to plant a seed, a grain of truth in his heart, and He will prevent Satan from snatching away that truth (Matthew 13:19). When we come to the Lord of the harvest, we are acknowledging His authority, His control—it is His field, His harvest, His initiative that sends the workers and prepares the hearts of the lost. The Lord of the harvest will make sure the seed is nurtured, fed and watered, able to grow until it’s ripe and ready. The Lord of the harvest will send someone at precisely the right moment to gather that soul into the kingdom. Using His name, Lord of the harvest, reveals that we understand these things and that we have the faith to believe and to anticipate the harvest, no matter how long it takes.
Our help is in the name of the Lord...” (Psalm 124:8)
Praying the names of God—
It always honors God when our prayers begin with worship, focusing our attention on Him rather than on our needs and requests. Jesus taught us that we should come to our Father to “hallow His name” before we ask for our daily needs to be met (Matthew 6:9-11).
To hallow God’s name is to take the time to understand what it represents of His divine nature and character, of how He is able and willing to work in our lives. When we are interceding, we have a specific need—and calling on Him by one of His revealed names is saying to Him, this is who I need You to be in answer to my prayer. When in turmoil, we need Him to be our Prince of Peace. Seeking guidance, we come to our Shepherd to lead us. In financial stress, we call out to our Provider. For the lost, we cry to the Lord of the harvest.
Jesus said—commanded, according to the tense of the verb—that we should pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into His harvest field (Matthew 9:38). We know that as intercessors, we’re an important part of those workers (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Our prayers pave the way for our Father to draw them (John 6:44), to enable them to come (John 6:65) and to send His Holy Spirit to grant them rebirth (John 3:3, 5). Our prayers help open the door for divine appointments for the workers He sends into the field.
The Lord of the harvest will send someone into the life of a friend or loved one to plant a seed, a grain of truth in his heart, and He will prevent Satan from snatching away that truth (Matthew 13:19). When we come to the Lord of the harvest, we are acknowledging His authority, His control—it is His field, His harvest, His initiative that sends the workers and prepares the hearts of the lost. The Lord of the harvest will make sure the seed is nurtured, fed and watered, able to grow until it’s ripe and ready. The Lord of the harvest will send someone at precisely the right moment to gather that soul into the kingdom. Using His name, Lord of the harvest, reveals that we understand these things and that we have the faith to believe and to anticipate the harvest, no matter how long it takes.
Our help is in the name of the Lord...” (Psalm 124:8)
Monday, July 22, 2013
Jesus…Jehovah…I Am Who I Am
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14, NIV)
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58, NIV)
Jesus, the name above all names, is Jehovah incarnate.
Before He was born, an angel told Joseph to name Him Jesus (Matthew 1:21), the name the Apostle Paul tells us is “above every other name.” (Philippians 2:9)
Jesus’ name itself proclaims who and what He is—“Jehovah, our Salvation” (Herbert Lockyear, All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible). The first syllable “Je” represents “Jeho” or Jah”—short for “Jehovah.” The other syllable “sus” literally means “help.”
Jesus is the Greek form of the name Joshua, which is a contraction of Jehoshua—meaning Jehovah our Savior. Of all God’s names, Jehovah represents our ever-revealing God, who revealed Himself to His people many times in many ways. There are many compound variations for His name Jehovah that indicate the ways in which He helped His people in the Old Testament, and the ways in which He will relate to us today. He is Jehovah: our Peace (Judges 6:24), our Provider (Genesis 22:14), our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), and more.
God’s greatest revelation of Himself is through His incarnate Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is Jehovah of the Old Testament (wherever we see “LORD”) and Jesus (Jehovah our Savior) of the New.
When God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), He identified Himself as Jehovah, “I Am that I Am,” a statement of His self-existence. He is beyond time; at every moment of our lives, He is present—always “I Am,” never “I Was” or “I Will Be.” Jesus identified Himself as the timeless “I am” when He said, “before Abraham was born, I am.”
There are many “I Am” names of Jesus—including the bread of life (John 6:35); the light of the world (John 9:5); the gate through which we are saved (John 10:9); the good shepherd (John 10:11); the resurrection and the life (John 11:35); the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6); the true vine (John 15:1); the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:18); the First and the Last (Revelation 1:17; 22:13); the Living One (Revelation 1:18); the bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).
Every title, every name of God, every attribute is revealed in Scripture to help us understand who God is and who He desires to be in our lives. We trust in His names because they reveal and represent Him—and He is trustworthy.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7, NIV)
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58, NIV)
Jesus, the name above all names, is Jehovah incarnate.
Before He was born, an angel told Joseph to name Him Jesus (Matthew 1:21), the name the Apostle Paul tells us is “above every other name.” (Philippians 2:9)
Jesus’ name itself proclaims who and what He is—“Jehovah, our Salvation” (Herbert Lockyear, All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible). The first syllable “Je” represents “Jeho” or Jah”—short for “Jehovah.” The other syllable “sus” literally means “help.”
Jesus is the Greek form of the name Joshua, which is a contraction of Jehoshua—meaning Jehovah our Savior. Of all God’s names, Jehovah represents our ever-revealing God, who revealed Himself to His people many times in many ways. There are many compound variations for His name Jehovah that indicate the ways in which He helped His people in the Old Testament, and the ways in which He will relate to us today. He is Jehovah: our Peace (Judges 6:24), our Provider (Genesis 22:14), our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), and more.
God’s greatest revelation of Himself is through His incarnate Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is Jehovah of the Old Testament (wherever we see “LORD”) and Jesus (Jehovah our Savior) of the New.
When God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), He identified Himself as Jehovah, “I Am that I Am,” a statement of His self-existence. He is beyond time; at every moment of our lives, He is present—always “I Am,” never “I Was” or “I Will Be.” Jesus identified Himself as the timeless “I am” when He said, “before Abraham was born, I am.”
There are many “I Am” names of Jesus—including the bread of life (John 6:35); the light of the world (John 9:5); the gate through which we are saved (John 10:9); the good shepherd (John 10:11); the resurrection and the life (John 11:35); the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6); the true vine (John 15:1); the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:18); the First and the Last (Revelation 1:17; 22:13); the Living One (Revelation 1:18); the bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).
Every title, every name of God, every attribute is revealed in Scripture to help us understand who God is and who He desires to be in our lives. We trust in His names because they reveal and represent Him—and He is trustworthy.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7, NIV)
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Jehovah, I Am Who I Am
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14, NIV)
Some of the names of God are His more formal majestic names or titles, such as the title Elohim [el-o-HEEM], our Creator; Adonai [add-eh-NYE], our Lord and Master; or ElElyon [el-EL-yawn], our Most High God. But His most personal name is Jehovah, “I Am Who I Am,” our ever-revealing God Who reveals Himself to His people.
Jehovah is considered God’s covenant name, His relational name, the foundation for His covenant relationship with His people. It’s a name with many variations, each indicating a different relationship He is willing to have with us.
When Moses met God in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), God said to tell the people that He was sending Moses to lead them, and He identified Himself as Jehovah, “I Am that I Am.” It’s a statement of His self-existence. He is beyond time, so at every moment of our lives, He is present—always “I Am,” never “I Was” or “I Will Be.” He was sufficient then to part the Red Sea, as He sufficient today to meet our every need.
In the Bible every time we see the word “LORD”—written in all capital letters—it is translated “Jehovah.” Jehovah appears many times alone, and often compounded with other Hebrew terms, each identifying a different part of God’s nature and character, each representing a side of God’s character that He is willing to reveal to us—Jehovah-Jireh [JIE-reh], our Provider; Jehovah-Rophe [RAH-fah], our Healer; Jehovah-Shalom [sha-LOAM], our Peace;
and more.
God’s names not only reveal part of His nature, but through them He is revealing who He is willing to be in our lives. When we are in need, it is comforting to worship God as Our Provider. When we’re under stress, we praise our Prince of Peace. As we pray for those who are lost, we first magnify our Redeemer, our Savior, the Lamb of God.
We may certainly always address God simply as God, or Father—Jesus taught us to come to our Father. But Jesus also said we should pause before asking for our needs to be met to “hallow His name,” to worship Him. Our daily prayers should include at least a few moments of reflection on who God is and an expression of our love, adoration, thanksgiving, and worship.
Some of the names of God are His more formal majestic names or titles, such as the title Elohim [el-o-HEEM], our Creator; Adonai [add-eh-NYE], our Lord and Master; or ElElyon [el-EL-yawn], our Most High God. But His most personal name is Jehovah, “I Am Who I Am,” our ever-revealing God Who reveals Himself to His people.
Jehovah is considered God’s covenant name, His relational name, the foundation for His covenant relationship with His people. It’s a name with many variations, each indicating a different relationship He is willing to have with us.
When Moses met God in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), God said to tell the people that He was sending Moses to lead them, and He identified Himself as Jehovah, “I Am that I Am.” It’s a statement of His self-existence. He is beyond time, so at every moment of our lives, He is present—always “I Am,” never “I Was” or “I Will Be.” He was sufficient then to part the Red Sea, as He sufficient today to meet our every need.
In the Bible every time we see the word “LORD”—written in all capital letters—it is translated “Jehovah.” Jehovah appears many times alone, and often compounded with other Hebrew terms, each identifying a different part of God’s nature and character, each representing a side of God’s character that He is willing to reveal to us—Jehovah-Jireh [JIE-reh], our Provider; Jehovah-Rophe [RAH-fah], our Healer; Jehovah-Shalom [sha-LOAM], our Peace;
and more.
God’s names not only reveal part of His nature, but through them He is revealing who He is willing to be in our lives. When we are in need, it is comforting to worship God as Our Provider. When we’re under stress, we praise our Prince of Peace. As we pray for those who are lost, we first magnify our Redeemer, our Savior, the Lamb of God.
We may certainly always address God simply as God, or Father—Jesus taught us to come to our Father. But Jesus also said we should pause before asking for our needs to be met to “hallow His name,” to worship Him. Our daily prayers should include at least a few moments of reflection on who God is and an expression of our love, adoration, thanksgiving, and worship.
Monday, June 24, 2013
What Names of God Gives You the Most Comfort?
As we consider the majestic names of God, one of the most comforting to us is El Elyon, the Most High God.
El Elyon is described in a way that brings great comfort in Psalm 91: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’" [Psalm 91:1-2]
It's a psalm of great encouragement for those who are in a loving relationship with the Lord: "‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.’" [Psalm 91:14-16].
Sounds like relationship to us: he who loves the Lord, who acknowledges His name, understanding Who He is and what He can do, calls out and is answered.
That describes a prayer life that's rooted and grounded in love -- and results in the Lord sheltering, rescuing, protecting and delivering. It's our relationship with the Lord that brings such results in our prayer lives. It's in knowing Him and loving Him that we can come to Him as our shelter, our God in Whom we trust. The more we know and love Him, the more faith we have, the more we pray, the more answers we see.
Pray with us — El Elyon, we acknowledge that You are our Most High God, our refuge and our fortress. Help us to know You and to love You, in Jesus' name.
Amen.
El Elyon is described in a way that brings great comfort in Psalm 91: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’" [Psalm 91:1-2]
It's a psalm of great encouragement for those who are in a loving relationship with the Lord: "‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.’" [Psalm 91:14-16].
Sounds like relationship to us: he who loves the Lord, who acknowledges His name, understanding Who He is and what He can do, calls out and is answered.
That describes a prayer life that's rooted and grounded in love -- and results in the Lord sheltering, rescuing, protecting and delivering. It's our relationship with the Lord that brings such results in our prayer lives. It's in knowing Him and loving Him that we can come to Him as our shelter, our God in Whom we trust. The more we know and love Him, the more faith we have, the more we pray, the more answers we see.
Pray with us — El Elyon, we acknowledge that You are our Most High God, our refuge and our fortress. Help us to know You and to love You, in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
God is good. All the time.
All the time. God is good.
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.’” (Genesis 17:1, NIV)
The LORDJehovah gave Abram a revelation of Himself when He introduced Himself with the title, God Almighty, El Shaddai [EL-SHA-DYE]. This is a wonderfully encouraging picture of God for us today because El Shaddai reveals both the all-powerful and most-tender sides of His nature.
El in Hebrew is the shortened form of Elohim, our Creator God, and Shaddai is Hebrew for Almighty.
El Shaddai is our all-powerful God who can create something from nothing, who can bring to life that which has no breath; nothing is too difficult for Him. But to understand the full significance of God’s character as revealed in this title, it’s to helpful understand that there is a word play between shaddai and shad, which means breast—different Hebrew words that sound alike. This indicates a quality of tenderness in God Almighty, like a mother feeding a baby. El Shaddai is our God who nourishes us,
sustains us, our all-bountiful God who has an endless supply of whatever we need at the most personal
level.
For this reason, El Shaddai could be translated as our all-powerful Nourisher or Sustainer, our
all-sufficient God, or—our personal favorite (from T.W. Hunt in Disciple’s Prayer Life)—the Out-Pourer of
Blessings. He is All-Powerful and He has unlimited resources to meet our needs and bring His blessing into
our lives.
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.’” (Genesis 17:1, NIV)
The LORDJehovah gave Abram a revelation of Himself when He introduced Himself with the title, God Almighty, El Shaddai [EL-SHA-DYE]. This is a wonderfully encouraging picture of God for us today because El Shaddai reveals both the all-powerful and most-tender sides of His nature.
El in Hebrew is the shortened form of Elohim, our Creator God, and Shaddai is Hebrew for Almighty.
El Shaddai is our all-powerful God who can create something from nothing, who can bring to life that which has no breath; nothing is too difficult for Him. But to understand the full significance of God’s character as revealed in this title, it’s to helpful understand that there is a word play between shaddai and shad, which means breast—different Hebrew words that sound alike. This indicates a quality of tenderness in God Almighty, like a mother feeding a baby. El Shaddai is our God who nourishes us,
sustains us, our all-bountiful God who has an endless supply of whatever we need at the most personal
level.
For this reason, El Shaddai could be translated as our all-powerful Nourisher or Sustainer, our
all-sufficient God, or—our personal favorite (from T.W. Hunt in Disciple’s Prayer Life)—the Out-Pourer of
Blessings. He is All-Powerful and He has unlimited resources to meet our needs and bring His blessing into
our lives.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Good day? Bad day? Pray this prayer.
Wednesday is sometimes referred to as "hump day." Middle of the week. Top of the mountain.
We pray that the Holy Spirit inspire the words of Paul to penetrate your heart.
How has your week been going?
Good--or not so good--you can rest in the words of our Lord. Sometimes, the right scripture can speak right to us where we are and inspire us.
We pray that the Holy Spirit inspire the words of Paul to penetrate your heart.
"Father, help us to be strong in You and in Your mighty power..." Ephesians 6:10
Thursday, May 2, 2013
National Prayer Day
Today is National Prayer Day.
In 1952 the United States Congress enacted a day of observance which asked the people to spend time in prayer and meditation. Each year since, the President has signed a proclamation for National Prayer Day.
And while we don't rely on a single day for our prayer needs--we do want to take today to recognize the importance of prayer and be salt and light to those around us.
So join us today and ask the Lord to teach us how to pray.
Pray with us:
Teach us to pray--to know and understand Your many teachings on prayer. Make them a reality in our lives.
We know we are to ask for our daily needs to be met; help us to admit our total dependence upon our Father God, and to live according to the principles from Your Sermon on the Mount--that we might seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, knowing that when we do, our needs will be met.
Lord, help us to believe that God is our Father Who desires not only to hear us when we ask and seek and knock, but Who will answer our prayers, giving gifts that are more, much more than any human father would give. Help us to be sensitive to His most precious gift of all, Your Holy Spirit who lives within us, Who desires to fill us afresh every day, Who is our Spirit of prayer, and Who helps us in our prayer lives.
Holy One, help us to be sensitive to Your Spirit, Who convicts us of sins that can separate us from Your fellowship if left unconfessed. Help us to pray with humble hearts, in persistence, with boldness.
Guide our prayers and the motives of our hearts, so that we will not ask amiss. And when we grow discouraged, grant us the gift of Your faith, that we may rest in Your peace--for we ask in Your holy, righteous name. Amen.
In 1952 the United States Congress enacted a day of observance which asked the people to spend time in prayer and meditation. Each year since, the President has signed a proclamation for National Prayer Day.
And while we don't rely on a single day for our prayer needs--we do want to take today to recognize the importance of prayer and be salt and light to those around us.
So join us today and ask the Lord to teach us how to pray.
Pray with us:
Teach us to pray--to know and understand Your many teachings on prayer. Make them a reality in our lives.
We know we are to ask for our daily needs to be met; help us to admit our total dependence upon our Father God, and to live according to the principles from Your Sermon on the Mount--that we might seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, knowing that when we do, our needs will be met.
Lord, help us to believe that God is our Father Who desires not only to hear us when we ask and seek and knock, but Who will answer our prayers, giving gifts that are more, much more than any human father would give. Help us to be sensitive to His most precious gift of all, Your Holy Spirit who lives within us, Who desires to fill us afresh every day, Who is our Spirit of prayer, and Who helps us in our prayer lives.
Holy One, help us to be sensitive to Your Spirit, Who convicts us of sins that can separate us from Your fellowship if left unconfessed. Help us to pray with humble hearts, in persistence, with boldness.
Guide our prayers and the motives of our hearts, so that we will not ask amiss. And when we grow discouraged, grant us the gift of Your faith, that we may rest in Your peace--for we ask in Your holy, righteous name. Amen.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Prayer Posture
In our daily quiet time, should posture be important? Our quiet time is typically a time of more formal prayer -- not in the sense of formal language, but of having a scheduled time and place, a sense of structure for our prayer time.
Our morning prayer sets the tone for theday, a prayer of worship, confession and surrender. Does the Lord care whether we sit or stand or walk or kneel? He has shown me that in my life, at least, sometimes He does.
For years, I prayed in the shower, and in my favorite chair. Then one day, I read an article by a man who realized he never knelt to pray. It bothered him, until one day he simply had to kneel -- and he's spent part of his prayer time on his knees ever since.
Like him, I couldn't get the idea out of my mind, until one day I felt I had to begin my prayers with at least a brief time on my knees. It became important for me to kneel to surrender my life, then the rest of the day, I could feel more comfortable praying wherever I was, aware that I had honored the Lord in a special way.
I knew when it first became important to the Lord that I begin my day on my knees,
because He wouldn't let me put that thought out of my mind. I think it had something to do with pride.
Pray with me now — Lord, You may not want everyone to kneel in prayer every day. But if it would please You in any of our lives, help us to do it, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Our morning prayer sets the tone for theday, a prayer of worship, confession and surrender. Does the Lord care whether we sit or stand or walk or kneel? He has shown me that in my life, at least, sometimes He does.
For years, I prayed in the shower, and in my favorite chair. Then one day, I read an article by a man who realized he never knelt to pray. It bothered him, until one day he simply had to kneel -- and he's spent part of his prayer time on his knees ever since.
Like him, I couldn't get the idea out of my mind, until one day I felt I had to begin my prayers with at least a brief time on my knees. It became important for me to kneel to surrender my life, then the rest of the day, I could feel more comfortable praying wherever I was, aware that I had honored the Lord in a special way.
I knew when it first became important to the Lord that I begin my day on my knees,
because He wouldn't let me put that thought out of my mind. I think it had something to do with pride.
Pray with me now — Lord, You may not want everyone to kneel in prayer every day. But if it would please You in any of our lives, help us to do it, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Pray Like Jabez
Just like many of our friends that we've taught over the years, Jabez was a prayer warrior. You can hear it in how he prays.
"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request."
--1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV)
So how do we pray like Jabez? How do we enter into a sanctuary of prayer with our Lord so that he hears the overflow of our hearts?
We believe it sounds like this:
Father, bless me and these I know and love.
Bless us with living honorably in every way. Bless us by enlarging our borders, extending our lives and influence for Your greater purposes. May Your hand be with us so we will walk worthy of our calling.
Bless us with Your protection from the evil one and all he tries to bring against us. Grant these requests for the sake of Your kingdom and glory.
"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request."
--1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV)
So how do we pray like Jabez? How do we enter into a sanctuary of prayer with our Lord so that he hears the overflow of our hearts?
We believe it sounds like this:
Father, bless me and these I know and love.
Bless us with living honorably in every way. Bless us by enlarging our borders, extending our lives and influence for Your greater purposes. May Your hand be with us so we will walk worthy of our calling.
Bless us with Your protection from the evil one and all he tries to bring against us. Grant these requests for the sake of Your kingdom and glory.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Concert of Prayer
Today is new day--a day that our Lord created.
And even though we may not have all of the answers--it's important that we act in a concert of prayer.
A concert of prayer is an orchestrated prayer time.
The prayer leader acts like the conductor of an orchestra, moving through different seasons or topics of prayer. You might consider yourselves like different instruments, all praying along together, blending your voices into the same symphony—rather than each one praying his or her own melody.
The prayer leader will generally move us through seasons of prayer which follow the A-C-T-S acronym:
Adoration,
Confession (silent),
Thanksgiving and
Supplication (intercession).
Concerts of prayer are sometimes built around a theme: for instance, you might sometimes pray with a focus on
prayers for your pastor(s). At other times you might pray for ministries and missions, for families, for our country, for revival, etc.
And even though we may not have all of the answers--it's important that we act in a concert of prayer.
A concert of prayer is an orchestrated prayer time.
The prayer leader acts like the conductor of an orchestra, moving through different seasons or topics of prayer. You might consider yourselves like different instruments, all praying along together, blending your voices into the same symphony—rather than each one praying his or her own melody.
The prayer leader will generally move us through seasons of prayer which follow the A-C-T-S acronym:
Adoration,
Confession (silent),
Thanksgiving and
Supplication (intercession).
Concerts of prayer are sometimes built around a theme: for instance, you might sometimes pray with a focus on
prayers for your pastor(s). At other times you might pray for ministries and missions, for families, for our country, for revival, etc.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Prayer in the Midst of Tragedy
Today has been a heavy day. In the midst of a tragedy like the one in Boston, our hearts are heavy.
When things like today happen--it's important that we turn to our faith and pray, both as individuals and together as Believers.
Pray for our nation.
Pray for our leaders.
Pray for the first responders.
Pray for those afflicted and their loved ones.
Pray for the return of Christ.
And pray like the below.
Father, You are the same yesterday, today and forever; You do not change. You have promised in Your Word that if we, Your people who are called by Your name—we Christians, the church—will humble ourselves and pray, and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, You will hear and heal our land. (Hebrews 13:8; Malachi 3:6; 2 Chronicles 7:14)
You are a refuge for the poor and needy, a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat. But You are also our God, who deals with Your people as Your vineyard—when we go our own way, bearing bad grapes instead of good, You have said You will take away our hedge and break down our wall. (Isaiah 25:4; 5:1-6)
Have mercy on Your people. We pray in hope because of Your great love, knowing that Your compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. You do not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. Help us examine and test our ways, and return to You. (Lamentations 3:22-23, 33, 40)
When things like today happen--it's important that we turn to our faith and pray, both as individuals and together as Believers.
Pray for our nation.
Pray for our leaders.
Pray for the first responders.
Pray for those afflicted and their loved ones.
Pray for the return of Christ.
And pray like the below.
Father, You are the same yesterday, today and forever; You do not change. You have promised in Your Word that if we, Your people who are called by Your name—we Christians, the church—will humble ourselves and pray, and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, You will hear and heal our land. (Hebrews 13:8; Malachi 3:6; 2 Chronicles 7:14)
You are a refuge for the poor and needy, a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat. But You are also our God, who deals with Your people as Your vineyard—when we go our own way, bearing bad grapes instead of good, You have said You will take away our hedge and break down our wall. (Isaiah 25:4; 5:1-6)
Have mercy on Your people. We pray in hope because of Your great love, knowing that Your compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. You do not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. Help us examine and test our ways, and return to You. (Lamentations 3:22-23, 33, 40)
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Effective Prayer, Pt. 2
Recently we posted about Effective Prayer. See Pt. 1 here.
Effective prayer is prayer that is offered in the name of Jesus (John 14:12-14), in His authority, according to His nature and character, asking for what He would ask. It is prayer according to the will of the Father(1 John 5:14-15), which certainly includes praying Scripture—prayers taken directly from the Bible, such as the beautiful prayers of the Apostle Paul, or verses of Scripture turned into prayers. We are on powerful praying ground when we pray God’s Word, whether extemporaneously or with written prayers.
Remember, too, that effective prayer doesn’t mean eloquent prayer—it’s not the number of words, nor the beauty of our words that make a difference. It’s the fervency of our heart, not emotions, but genuine love for God and for others. God’s Word tells us that though we look on the outside appearance of a person, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). That’s as true of prayer as any other part of life.
Effective prayer is prayer that is offered in the name of Jesus (John 14:12-14), in His authority, according to His nature and character, asking for what He would ask. It is prayer according to the will of the Father(1 John 5:14-15), which certainly includes praying Scripture—prayers taken directly from the Bible, such as the beautiful prayers of the Apostle Paul, or verses of Scripture turned into prayers. We are on powerful praying ground when we pray God’s Word, whether extemporaneously or with written prayers.
Remember, too, that effective prayer doesn’t mean eloquent prayer—it’s not the number of words, nor the beauty of our words that make a difference. It’s the fervency of our heart, not emotions, but genuine love for God and for others. God’s Word tells us that though we look on the outside appearance of a person, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). That’s as true of prayer as any other part of life.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Effective Prayer, Pt. 1
Sometimes people equate Jesus’ teaching on “vain repetitions” or “babbling” (Matthew 6:7) with reading prayers or praying for the same things every day. But the word Jesus used means using words that are “meaningless” or “mechanically repeated.”
A mechanical prayer would be words repeated by rote, requiring no thought, no concentration, having no heart—words so familiar that our thoughts easily drift as we pray.
Many times, that might occur around the dinner table--where are prayers sound like heartless incantations.
That’s the opposite of the “effective, fervent prayer” that James speaks of (James 5:16).
Certainly we can pray for our loved ones every day without being vainly repetitious.
A mechanical prayer would be words repeated by rote, requiring no thought, no concentration, having no heart—words so familiar that our thoughts easily drift as we pray.
Many times, that might occur around the dinner table--where are prayers sound like heartless incantations.
That’s the opposite of the “effective, fervent prayer” that James speaks of (James 5:16).
Certainly we can pray for our loved ones every day without being vainly repetitious.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
A Holy Week Prayer
In this special week for our faith, one particular verse is heavy on our hearts.
"Open their hearts to respond to the truth of the gospel." Acts 16:14
Only God can open the hearts of the cold, blind and distant. They neither understand or receive the truth without God. Pray today--pray this week--that they would have their hearts touched with His love and power.
"Open their hearts to respond to the truth of the gospel." Acts 16:14
Only God can open the hearts of the cold, blind and distant. They neither understand or receive the truth without God. Pray today--pray this week--that they would have their hearts touched with His love and power.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
#ThankfulThursday
What are you thankful for?
We're thankful for so many things--but none moreso that Jesus Christ.
The foundation of PrayerPower is our belief in God as the only Creator of everything that exists; in Jesus Christ His only Son – God in the flesh, Who became the sinless human sacrifice for the sins of mankind through His death on the cross – and in the Holy Spirit, One with the Father and the Son in the triune Godhead, living in the redeemed children of God as our Comforter and Teacher.
We believe that the redeemed of the Lord, all who have accepted God's free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, constitute His body, the Church, assigned the task of making disciples of all nations, sharing the truth of the gospel with every human being by every possible means.
We believe in the power of Jesus. And we're so thankful for Him.
We're thankful for so many things--but none moreso that Jesus Christ.
The foundation of PrayerPower is our belief in God as the only Creator of everything that exists; in Jesus Christ His only Son – God in the flesh, Who became the sinless human sacrifice for the sins of mankind through His death on the cross – and in the Holy Spirit, One with the Father and the Son in the triune Godhead, living in the redeemed children of God as our Comforter and Teacher.
We believe that the redeemed of the Lord, all who have accepted God's free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, constitute His body, the Church, assigned the task of making disciples of all nations, sharing the truth of the gospel with every human being by every possible means.
We believe in the power of Jesus. And we're so thankful for Him.
Does God Hear Every Prayer?
Do you think God hears every prayer?
We would like to think God hears every prayer, but the Bible makes plain that’s not always so.
There are times when God may choose not to listen, when He pays no attention to our prayers.
Isaiah tells us our iniquities (unconfessed sins) separate us from God so that He will not hear. David says, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened….”
Unconfessed sins, sins that we cherish or hold on to, separate us from close, personal fellowship with God.
James puts it this way: “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts….”
Isaiah, David, and James all address the impact of unconfessed sins on our prayer lives.
We must take initiative to confess our sins and be forgiven, to wash our hands and purify our hearts if we want God to hear our prayers and have personal fellowship with us.
That’s why this is such a significant verse to pray. Can anything be more important to us than having our prayers heard and walking in close fellowship with God?
Scripture References:
James 4:8
Isaiah 59:2
Psalm 66:18
1 John 1:9
Psalm 65:1
1 John 1:3
We would like to think God hears every prayer, but the Bible makes plain that’s not always so.
There are times when God may choose not to listen, when He pays no attention to our prayers.
Isaiah tells us our iniquities (unconfessed sins) separate us from God so that He will not hear. David says, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened….”
Unconfessed sins, sins that we cherish or hold on to, separate us from close, personal fellowship with God.
James puts it this way: “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts….”
Isaiah, David, and James all address the impact of unconfessed sins on our prayer lives.
We must take initiative to confess our sins and be forgiven, to wash our hands and purify our hearts if we want God to hear our prayers and have personal fellowship with us.
That’s why this is such a significant verse to pray. Can anything be more important to us than having our prayers heard and walking in close fellowship with God?
Scripture References:
James 4:8
Isaiah 59:2
Psalm 66:18
1 John 1:9
Psalm 65:1
1 John 1:3
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Needs.
We all have needs.
Abraham Maslow, the famous Psychologist, was best known for the creation of the pyramid that illustrated a hierarchy of needs.
At the base level, Maslow theorized that humans have Physiological needs, followed by Safety, Love, Esteem and Self-Actualization.
We all have needs.
We need sleep. We need food. We need water. In the morning, some of us need coffee.
We all have needs.
As a Believer, we also have spiritual needs, which is why Matthew 6:33 is such a special verse.
"Father, help us to seek Your kingdom and righteousness as the priority of our lives every day."
Do you have any needs in your life? Praying Matthew 6:33 could be your answer!
What makes this one simple verse such a powerful and effective prayer?
Why, with so many practical, material needs always present in our lives, would we choose to pray Matthew 6:33 about seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness? Why not simply ask for God’s provision?
Apart from the fact that this is the way we should all be living, the last half of this verse is a wonderful promise. It says when we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first in our lives “all these things will be given” to us as well.
What things? In the context of this passage, in Matthew 6:25-32 Jesus is saying we should not worry about the basic necessities of life—what we’ll eat, what we’ll wear. Instead, we should seek God’s kingdom and righteousness before everything else, and as we do, we can trust that He will meet our needs.
Abraham Maslow, the famous Psychologist, was best known for the creation of the pyramid that illustrated a hierarchy of needs.
At the base level, Maslow theorized that humans have Physiological needs, followed by Safety, Love, Esteem and Self-Actualization.
We all have needs.
We need sleep. We need food. We need water. In the morning, some of us need coffee.
We all have needs.
As a Believer, we also have spiritual needs, which is why Matthew 6:33 is such a special verse.
"Father, help us to seek Your kingdom and righteousness as the priority of our lives every day."
Do you have any needs in your life? Praying Matthew 6:33 could be your answer!
What makes this one simple verse such a powerful and effective prayer?
Why, with so many practical, material needs always present in our lives, would we choose to pray Matthew 6:33 about seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness? Why not simply ask for God’s provision?
Apart from the fact that this is the way we should all be living, the last half of this verse is a wonderful promise. It says when we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first in our lives “all these things will be given” to us as well.
What things? In the context of this passage, in Matthew 6:25-32 Jesus is saying we should not worry about the basic necessities of life—what we’ll eat, what we’ll wear. Instead, we should seek God’s kingdom and righteousness before everything else, and as we do, we can trust that He will meet our needs.
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