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.
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Friday, April 19, 2013
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)
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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