"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep..." That's where it started for many of us. This thing called prayer. Sadly, many christians are not far advanced from that formula or at least that maturity level in this area of prayer. So this week, I want to engage you in discussion about the most powerful force available to the Christian. Prayer!
Do we realize that "Satan laughs at our toiling, he mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray!"? That quote has haunted me for years since I first read it in a little book called, "The Kneeling Christian". Our prayer life is pretty much a great measure of our spiritual temperature. If we are little in prayer, it shouldn't surprise us that we have developed into little Christians, praying little prayers to a little God from whom we ask little things and get little results. Boy that sounds cold. I know it does, but it has been so true in my own life and I've seen it in the lives of many others.
Now the reverse is also true. Look at people who are much in prayer and you will see spiritual giants who pray powerful prayers to a powerful God and they have seen powerful results in their lives and in the matters about which they pray.
Knowing that prayer is our source of power and intimate communication with the Father, what is the reason or reasons we spend so little time nurturing this spiritual disciplne? When the people of God pray, God acts on behalf of His people. When prayer is a priority in our personal lives, our public lives will reflect that we have been with Jesus. Our speech, attitudes, actions, even our faces will be a closer reflection of the One we have been spending time with. Prayer does change things and it changes us too.
Having said all that, please take time today to pray for me and my family as I am doing prior to sending this blog to you who have requested it. I pray God will grow us into an army of prayer warriors who will stand in gap for this generation. Our world will see miraculous and powerful acts of God in direct proportion to the prayers of His people. The very nations of the world cna be softened to the gospel as we pray. It's our task, it's our delight, it's some of our finest spiritual work.
OK, it's your turn. Talk to me.
David
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4 comments:
While one would think it easy to pray (after all it is only talking to God),it is one of the hardest things we will do as Christians. Many of the spiritual giants of the past have testified to the difficulty they have had in being consistent and persistent in prayer. Oswald Chambers said it was the most difficult thing he did. The difficulty comes because of what you said about Satan opposing our prayers. Chambers said the moment he got on his knees to pray, immediately the plague of flies began. Satan does everything in his power to interfere and discourage us. Several years ago I became very convicted of my lack of prayer. If only there were someone with whom I could meet each day at the same time and place - some one who could hold me accountable. Then the Lord spoke very clearly to me, "I'm there every day just waiting for you." What a humbling realization! Much of our difficulty in praying comes from the fact that we have come to think of it in such small terms.
All I can say, is "WOW". We hear from the Pulpit, Ministers and Staff, of how prayer changes their lives and circumstances, unfortunately, if you're like I am so many times, it just becomes another "sermon", or it's like, yeah that worked for him/her. However, everyday I find myself breathing mini prayers more often, then increasing them in my quiet time. I now think of my prayers as more a friend to friend conversation instead of a chore.
Hopefully every new day will continue to help me improve my prayer life. Thanks for the reminder!
I believe as Christians we all know the power of prayer; yet, often forget to take time to pray and talk with God. Why do we do this? Because we get wrapped up in the things of the world - - work/ school/ sports. It is so easy to do and Satan does take such pleasure in it. Besides we are human and think too often we have to be in control and take care of everything. That type of thinking is usually what gets us in trouble!
I really like the concept of prayer partners - - like the youth use on Mission trip. It's nice to have someone to pray with and talk to, be encouraged by. Wouldn't it be nice to incorporate this church wide - - or perhaps, start out with the concept in Sunday school classes? Just a thought.
I always have a hard time taking the time out of my schedule to pray. Most of the time it is before I eat..or when i am almost in a wreck or when things are so bad...most of the time it is my last resort..which it shouldnt be. I can spend every minute of the day talking on the cell phone or on the internet. I think prayer partners is a good thing Vicki. It holds us accountable.
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