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/
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