Here is good prayer for the people in your neighborhood before you go out on your prayer walk.
http://www.prayerclosetministries.org/Prys4PWPrepComm4Word.htm
Friday, November 23, 2007
Prayers during Prayer Walking
Here is a good example of things that you can pray for while you are out on a daily walk in your neighborhood http://www.prayerclosetministries.org/Prys4PowerPWg.html
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
What Is Your Prayer Life Like ?
Check out this encouraging video from Godtube on Prayer http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f780e1bc26945df7481e
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Prayer for My Neighborhood
Here is a resource that children can use in praying for their neighborhood. You can purchase this from NavPress. This is a PDF file so it may take a few seconds to download. http://navpress.com/Assets/PDF/Product/Sample/1600060668.pdf
Operation World
Operation World is a great resource to use for praying for believers and non-believers all over the world. Check out their website and let this be a useful resource as you pray. http://gmi.org/ow/index.html
Monday, October 29, 2007
Product Recall
The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured
regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary
and central component of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code
named
Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all
subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed "Sub sequential Internal
Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is
primarily expressed.
Some other symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this
defect,
is
providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to
correct
this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously
offered
to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There
is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once
connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE
procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the
Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace
it
with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers'
Instructions
Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without
correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to
dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the
human unit being permanently impounded.
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action
will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not
be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of
that
facility.
Thank you for your attention!
GOD
PS: Please assist where possible by notifying others of this
important recall notice, and you may contact the repair technician any time by
"knee mail".
regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary
and central component of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code
named
Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all
subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed "Sub sequential Internal
Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is
primarily expressed.
Some other symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this
defect,
is
providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to
correct
this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously
offered
to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There
is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once
connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE
procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the
Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace
it
with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers'
Instructions
Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without
correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to
dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the
human unit being permanently impounded.
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action
will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not
be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of
that
facility.
Thank you for your attention!
GOD
PS: Please assist where possible by notifying others of this
important recall notice, and you may contact the repair technician any time by
"knee mail".
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Check Out the Videos on Nick Vujicic
Click on the videos on the right side of the blog and listen to Nick Vujicic share his story.
Nick Vujicic
My name is Nick Vujicic and I give God the Glory for how He has used my testimony to touch thousands of hearts around the world! I was born without limbs and doctors have no medical explanation for this birth "defect". As you can imagine, I was faced with many challenges and obstacles. "Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
To count our hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but pure joy? As my parents were Christians, and my Dad even a Pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the morning of the 4th of December 1982 in Melbourne ( Australia ), the last two words on the minds of my parents was "Praise God!". Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. The doctors were shocked and had no answers at all! There is still no medical reason why this had happened and Nick now has a Brother and Sister who were born just like any other baby.
The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. Everyone asked, "if God is a God of Love, then why would God let something this b ad happen to not just anyone, but dedicated Christians?" My Dad thought I wouldn't survive for very long, but tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy just with a few limbs missing.
"And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him." That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where that I know that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence that these "bad" things happen in our life.
I had complete peace knowing that God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was "so that the works of God may be revealed through Him." I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it's God's will, it'll happen in His time. If it's not God's will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better. I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can't be used.
I am now twenty-three years old and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. I am also a motivational speaker and love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. I have developed talks to relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today's teenagers. I am also a speaker in the corporate sector. I have a passion for reaching out to youth and keep myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow.
I have many dreams and goals that I have set to achieve in my life. I want to become the best witness I can be of God's Love and Hope , to become an international inspirational speaker and be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. I want to become financially independent by the age of 25, through real estate investments, to modify a car for me to drive and to be interviewed and share my story on the " Oprah Winfrey Show "! Writing several best-selling books has been one of my dreams and I hope to finish writing my first by the end of the year. It will be called "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!"
I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and if it's God's will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all ! What's worse is putting limits on God who can do all things. We put God in a "box". The awesome thing about the Power of God, is that if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability for we know that it is God through us and we can't do anything without Him. Once we make ourselves available for God's work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God's!
To count our hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but pure joy? As my parents were Christians, and my Dad even a Pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the morning of the 4th of December 1982 in Melbourne ( Australia ), the last two words on the minds of my parents was "Praise God!". Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. The doctors were shocked and had no answers at all! There is still no medical reason why this had happened and Nick now has a Brother and Sister who were born just like any other baby.
The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. Everyone asked, "if God is a God of Love, then why would God let something this b ad happen to not just anyone, but dedicated Christians?" My Dad thought I wouldn't survive for very long, but tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy just with a few limbs missing.
"And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him." That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where that I know that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence that these "bad" things happen in our life.
I had complete peace knowing that God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was "so that the works of God may be revealed through Him." I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it's God's will, it'll happen in His time. If it's not God's will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better. I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can't be used.
I am now twenty-three years old and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. I am also a motivational speaker and love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. I have developed talks to relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today's teenagers. I am also a speaker in the corporate sector. I have a passion for reaching out to youth and keep myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow.
I have many dreams and goals that I have set to achieve in my life. I want to become the best witness I can be of God's Love and Hope , to become an international inspirational speaker and be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. I want to become financially independent by the age of 25, through real estate investments, to modify a car for me to drive and to be interviewed and share my story on the " Oprah Winfrey Show "! Writing several best-selling books has been one of my dreams and I hope to finish writing my first by the end of the year. It will be called "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!"
I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and if it's God's will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all ! What's worse is putting limits on God who can do all things. We put God in a "box". The awesome thing about the Power of God, is that if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability for we know that it is God through us and we can't do anything without Him. Once we make ourselves available for God's work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God's!
OPEN THE DOORS BEFORE YOU
I got the attached, absolutely-amazing email from a friend this week. As I read the testimony of Nick Vujicic[1], I was so encouraged to believe that nothing is impossible with God by our sides. However, I was also shamed as I realized how many times I complain about the least little thing that I do not like. We in America have been blessed with so much abundance, and yet we are a nation of complainers. It is time for us to be thankful with what we have and to speak about the good instead of focusing on the negatives in our lives.
[1]For more information, see his website at http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/index.php .
Psalm 100:4 tells us to enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Just after giving this command, he emphasizes the importance of thankfulness by repeating the instructions to “be thankful to Him and bless His name.” Philippians 2:14 approaches the same subject in the opposite manner by saying, “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” The fact of the matter is that we get to choose how to look at everything we face in life – positively or negatively. The glass is either half-full or half-empty. We can look at circumstances as obstacles or opportunities. It is up to us.
Surely, from every human perspective, Nick Vujicic’s glass was less full than empty. There were definitely more obstacles than opportunities from the perspective of most of us. Yet this young man has found a way to turn his situation into opportunities and has used his circumstances to encourage them with possibilities instead of doubts. You simply cannot be the same after reading his testimony.
May the Lord touch your heart and encourage you to look for the bright side each and every day this week. Truly, we are a blessed people. Let us be thankful and bless His name for what we have instead of complaining about what we do not have. When we obey these commands, we enter into His presence. In God’s presence, we will see the many open doors that God places before us to touch the lives of those we meet.
[1]For more information, see his website at http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/index.php .
Psalm 100:4 tells us to enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Just after giving this command, he emphasizes the importance of thankfulness by repeating the instructions to “be thankful to Him and bless His name.” Philippians 2:14 approaches the same subject in the opposite manner by saying, “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” The fact of the matter is that we get to choose how to look at everything we face in life – positively or negatively. The glass is either half-full or half-empty. We can look at circumstances as obstacles or opportunities. It is up to us.
Surely, from every human perspective, Nick Vujicic’s glass was less full than empty. There were definitely more obstacles than opportunities from the perspective of most of us. Yet this young man has found a way to turn his situation into opportunities and has used his circumstances to encourage them with possibilities instead of doubts. You simply cannot be the same after reading his testimony.
May the Lord touch your heart and encourage you to look for the bright side each and every day this week. Truly, we are a blessed people. Let us be thankful and bless His name for what we have instead of complaining about what we do not have. When we obey these commands, we enter into His presence. In God’s presence, we will see the many open doors that God places before us to touch the lives of those we meet.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tuesday Testimonial on Prayer
Chaplain shares about the power of Prayer http://youtube.com/watch?v=FENH6WoBVwo
Monday, October 15, 2007
Find Your Neighbor
Check out the link on the right side of the blog titled Find Your Neighbor. When you click on the link you will be taken to the White pages directory. You can type in a street address for your neighborhood and it will give you the names of the people that live at that address. It is a great tool to use in order to pray for the people in your neighborhood.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Prayer
“Prayer is something that has always been a part
of me. I prayed when I needed to hear my Father’s
heart, when I was baptized by John, when I chose
the twelve, when I did mighty works, when I broke
bread, and when I blessed the children.
I prayed when facing my darkest hour, and I
prayed as I gave my life upon the cross. I prayed in
public before others, and I prayed alone. I prayed in
the daytime, and I prayed at night.
When I prayed with my disciples just before I was
arrested in the garden, you were included in that
prayer. When I taught my disciples how to pray, it
was for your understanding as well.
I know that I am not physically present with you
today as I was with my disciples so many years ago,
but my heart of prayer has not changed. I am praying
for you now because you are mine. My love for
you today is great, and my heart for you is full. I
pray peace over you and blessings upon you. I pray
rivers of joy to be within you and to flow out through
you. I pray good things over you. I pray that your life
will bear much fruit, that you will grow in grace, that
your faith will increase, and that you will stand
strong until the day that I see you face to face.”
JESUS
of me. I prayed when I needed to hear my Father’s
heart, when I was baptized by John, when I chose
the twelve, when I did mighty works, when I broke
bread, and when I blessed the children.
I prayed when facing my darkest hour, and I
prayed as I gave my life upon the cross. I prayed in
public before others, and I prayed alone. I prayed in
the daytime, and I prayed at night.
When I prayed with my disciples just before I was
arrested in the garden, you were included in that
prayer. When I taught my disciples how to pray, it
was for your understanding as well.
I know that I am not physically present with you
today as I was with my disciples so many years ago,
but my heart of prayer has not changed. I am praying
for you now because you are mine. My love for
you today is great, and my heart for you is full. I
pray peace over you and blessings upon you. I pray
rivers of joy to be within you and to flow out through
you. I pray good things over you. I pray that your life
will bear much fruit, that you will grow in grace, that
your faith will increase, and that you will stand
strong until the day that I see you face to face.”
JESUS
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Pray
May everyone who receives this message be blessed? REMBMBER to pray. That’s all you have to do. There is nothing attached. Just send this to twelve people. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of reward. Make sure you pray, and pray believing that God will answer. May today be all that you need it to be today. May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight and conquer all your fears. May God manifest himself today in ways that you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer and your prayers be answered. I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged and I pray that you step into your destiny within the ministry. I pray for peace, health, happiness and true and undying love for God.
It doesn’t matter how many you send it to, that isn’t the point, the point is praying one for another!!!! We never know what’s ahead of us but I read that God goes before us & he’s always with us – in our garages, homes, offices, on the road!
It doesn’t matter how many you send it to, that isn’t the point, the point is praying one for another!!!! We never know what’s ahead of us but I read that God goes before us & he’s always with us – in our garages, homes, offices, on the road!
Praying for Your Neighborhood
When God works in a community He uses the Holy Spirit to bless that community. Here are some prayers that you can pray to invite God to work in your homes and work places.
Help my friends and neighbors to the kind of friend that You are, Jesus; patient, kind, forgiving, and thinking of others first. If any are lonely, help them to find new friends t understand that Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us. (Heb. 13:5) If any are angry with each other, help them to forgive has Jesus has forgiven us. Give them strength to resist Satan’s attempts to make them argue with each other. (Col. .3:12-13; II Cor. 2:10-11)
Unity
May we walk worthy of your calling, keep us in unity. May we keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-3)
Families
Dear God, may the families in my neighborhood enjoy peace in their homes. Help parents to treat each other and their children with love. Help children to respect their parents and be thoughtful of their brothers and sisters. Help families who are separated from each other to feel complete in You. (Phil . 4:7; Eph. 5:33, 6:1-3; Psalm 68:5)
Safety
Lord, please surround my neighborhood with Your angels. Keep it safe from anything that would bring harm to the people or property in it. Protect the people in my neighborhood from accidents, injuries, and illnesses. (Ps. 34:7; Isaiah 54:17; III John 2)
Earthly Blessings
Show my neighbors that You are a loving Father. Give them good gifts like wisdom so they can work and live peacefully. Bless the businesses in my community so that people will have jobs and be able to provide for their families. Help those who have plenty to share generously with those who are in need. (Matthew 7:7-11; Eph. 1:17; I Thess. 4:11; Acts 2:44-45)
Spiritual Blessings
Holy Spirit, help my unsaved neighbors to recognize their sin, to trust Jesus as their Savior, and to live according to God’s Word. Please comfort, encourage, and teach those who already believe in Jesus, and give them power to tell others about Him. (John 16:8, 14:16, 26; Acts 1:8)
Help my friends and neighbors to the kind of friend that You are, Jesus; patient, kind, forgiving, and thinking of others first. If any are lonely, help them to find new friends t understand that Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us. (Heb. 13:5) If any are angry with each other, help them to forgive has Jesus has forgiven us. Give them strength to resist Satan’s attempts to make them argue with each other. (Col. .3:12-13; II Cor. 2:10-11)
Unity
May we walk worthy of your calling, keep us in unity. May we keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-3)
Families
Dear God, may the families in my neighborhood enjoy peace in their homes. Help parents to treat each other and their children with love. Help children to respect their parents and be thoughtful of their brothers and sisters. Help families who are separated from each other to feel complete in You. (Phil . 4:7; Eph. 5:33, 6:1-3; Psalm 68:5)
Safety
Lord, please surround my neighborhood with Your angels. Keep it safe from anything that would bring harm to the people or property in it. Protect the people in my neighborhood from accidents, injuries, and illnesses. (Ps. 34:7; Isaiah 54:17; III John 2)
Earthly Blessings
Show my neighbors that You are a loving Father. Give them good gifts like wisdom so they can work and live peacefully. Bless the businesses in my community so that people will have jobs and be able to provide for their families. Help those who have plenty to share generously with those who are in need. (Matthew 7:7-11; Eph. 1:17; I Thess. 4:11; Acts 2:44-45)
Spiritual Blessings
Holy Spirit, help my unsaved neighbors to recognize their sin, to trust Jesus as their Savior, and to live according to God’s Word. Please comfort, encourage, and teach those who already believe in Jesus, and give them power to tell others about Him. (John 16:8, 14:16, 26; Acts 1:8)
John Piper's dream for his church
Check out John Piper's dream for his church http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2003/1249_My_Dream_for_the_Prayer_Life_of_Bethlehem/
And here is another prayer for his church http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2000/1165_A_Prayer_for_Our_Church/
And here is another prayer for his church http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2000/1165_A_Prayer_for_Our_Church/
Public Prayer of Confession
Bob Kauflin reprints a prayer of confession offered at the Worship God Conference:
Holy and righteous God, we confess that like Isaiah, we are a people of unclean lips. But it is not only unclean lips we possess. We are people with unclean hands and unclean hearts. We have broken your law times without number, and are guilty of pride, unbelief, self-centeredness and idolatry. Affect our hearts with the severity of our sin and the glory of your righteousness as we now acknowledge our sins in your holy presence.
We have had other gods before you.
We have worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator.We have sought satisfaction in this world’s pleasures rather than in You.We have loved to praise our own glory more than yours.
We have taken your name in vain.
We have prayed religious prayers to impress others.We have uttered your name countless times without reverence or love.We have listened to others use your name in vain without grieving.
We have murdered in our hearts.
We have often destroyed our neighbor with our tongues.We have been quick to uncharitably judge others.We have considered revenge when we were sinned against.
We have committed adultery with our eyes.
We have loved temptation rather than fighting it.We have lusted after unlawful and immoral pleasures.We have justified our lusts by using the world as our standard.
We have stolen what is not ours and coveted what belongs to others.
Our lives overflow with discontent, ungratefulness, and envy.We have complained in the midst of Your abundant provision.We have sought to exalt ourselves through owning more.
We have lied to you and to others.
We have told distorted truths, half-truths, and untruths.We have despised the truth to make ourselves look better. Even in our confession, we look for ways to hide our guilt.
O God, we have sinned against your mercy times without number. We are ashamed to lift up our faces before you, for our iniquities have gone over our heads. If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? How shall we answer you? We lay our hands on our mouths. We have no answer to your righteous wrath and just judgment.
We have no answer. But God Himself has mercifully provided one for us.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53:6)
Holy and righteous God, we confess that like Isaiah, we are a people of unclean lips. But it is not only unclean lips we possess. We are people with unclean hands and unclean hearts. We have broken your law times without number, and are guilty of pride, unbelief, self-centeredness and idolatry. Affect our hearts with the severity of our sin and the glory of your righteousness as we now acknowledge our sins in your holy presence.
We have had other gods before you.
We have worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator.We have sought satisfaction in this world’s pleasures rather than in You.We have loved to praise our own glory more than yours.
We have taken your name in vain.
We have prayed religious prayers to impress others.We have uttered your name countless times without reverence or love.We have listened to others use your name in vain without grieving.
We have murdered in our hearts.
We have often destroyed our neighbor with our tongues.We have been quick to uncharitably judge others.We have considered revenge when we were sinned against.
We have committed adultery with our eyes.
We have loved temptation rather than fighting it.We have lusted after unlawful and immoral pleasures.We have justified our lusts by using the world as our standard.
We have stolen what is not ours and coveted what belongs to others.
Our lives overflow with discontent, ungratefulness, and envy.We have complained in the midst of Your abundant provision.We have sought to exalt ourselves through owning more.
We have lied to you and to others.
We have told distorted truths, half-truths, and untruths.We have despised the truth to make ourselves look better. Even in our confession, we look for ways to hide our guilt.
O God, we have sinned against your mercy times without number. We are ashamed to lift up our faces before you, for our iniquities have gone over our heads. If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? How shall we answer you? We lay our hands on our mouths. We have no answer to your righteous wrath and just judgment.
We have no answer. But God Himself has mercifully provided one for us.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53:6)
The H*A*B*I*T of Prayer
H -- Honor God. Begin with a simple sentence or two of praise and adortation to God for His glory. Thank him for saving you through the cross of Jesus Christ, and giving you the amazing privilege of entering his throne room to pray.
A -- Ask specifically. Bring the person's need to the throne of grace. It is critical that you listen carefully to what the person has said, so that you can pray for them specifically rather than generally. It is disappointing to pour your heart out to someone, then have them pray as if they didn't hear a single word you said.
B -- Bless. Ask God to bless them in ways other than just the specific item prayed earlier. If the person is not a Christian, pray for their spiritual life and awakening to God's grace through Jesus Christ. If you know them well and other aspects of their life, ask God's blessing. "Lord, I ask your blessing on Ted's wife and children as well. Give him wisdom in his business...etc." If you do not know them, simply ask God to pour his blessing into every aspect of life, especially their spiritual life in Jesus Christ.
I -- In Jesus' name. We come to God in prayer only because of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us, and opened the way for us into the Holy of holies.
T -- Touch as appropriate. If it is appropriate, take the person's hand when you pray for them, or put a hand on their shoulder, whatever seems appropriate to the situation. Take care with this. We should be neither inappropriately "touchy feely" nor cold and "hands off" as if we might catch something.
Dana Olson, of Prayer First, provides a helpful acronymn and a needed exhortation for us to serve people through prayer. I've taken the liberty of reproducing much of his post below, and encourage you to check out his blog for regular encouragement in this practice.
A -- Ask specifically. Bring the person's need to the throne of grace. It is critical that you listen carefully to what the person has said, so that you can pray for them specifically rather than generally. It is disappointing to pour your heart out to someone, then have them pray as if they didn't hear a single word you said.
B -- Bless. Ask God to bless them in ways other than just the specific item prayed earlier. If the person is not a Christian, pray for their spiritual life and awakening to God's grace through Jesus Christ. If you know them well and other aspects of their life, ask God's blessing. "Lord, I ask your blessing on Ted's wife and children as well. Give him wisdom in his business...etc." If you do not know them, simply ask God to pour his blessing into every aspect of life, especially their spiritual life in Jesus Christ.
I -- In Jesus' name. We come to God in prayer only because of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us, and opened the way for us into the Holy of holies.
T -- Touch as appropriate. If it is appropriate, take the person's hand when you pray for them, or put a hand on their shoulder, whatever seems appropriate to the situation. Take care with this. We should be neither inappropriately "touchy feely" nor cold and "hands off" as if we might catch something.
Dana Olson, of Prayer First, provides a helpful acronymn and a needed exhortation for us to serve people through prayer. I've taken the liberty of reproducing much of his post below, and encourage you to check out his blog for regular encouragement in this practice.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Answered Prayer
Then Sings My Soul... God is not a God for the Good times only. In history's darkest times, he is there. During the dark night of the individual soul, he is there. "I tell the Lord my troubles and difficulties, and wait for him to give me the answers to them," says one man of God. "And it is wonderful how a matter that looked very dark will in prayer become clear as crystal by the help of God's spirit. I think Christians fail so often to get answers to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God. They just drop down and say a few words, and then jump up and forget it and expect God to answer them. Such praying always reminds me of the small boy ringing his neighbor's doorbell, and then running away as fast as he can.
Johnny Bartek, a sergeant and close friend of Captain Rickenbacker, tells of his experience when lost at sea. "As soon as we were in the rafts at the mercy of God, we realized that we were not in any condition to expect help from him. We spent many hours of each day confessing our sins to one another and to God... then we prayed, and God answered. "It was real. We needed water, and we got water--- all we needed . Then we asked for fish, and we got fish. And we got meat when we prayed. Seagulls don't go around sitting on people's heads waiting to be caught. On that eleventh day when those planes flew by, we all cried like babies. It was then I prayed again to God and said: "If you'll send one plane back for us, I promise I'll believe in you and tell everyone else. That plane came back, and the others flew on. It just happened? It did not. God sent that plane back." ----- Dick Eastman, No Easy Road (Baker Book House)
Even The Little Things... Is the Lord interested in the little things too? Consider this. When I was a freshman in college, I lost my fountain pen. It was in the days of the Great Depression, and I had no money. I was walking across a field where I thought I might have lost it, and being young I said, "Lord , help me find my fountain pen." I walked across the field, and there in front of my face was my fountain pen. God is interested in fountain pens as well as anything else. he wants me to come to him in everything. ----- Vonette Bright and Ben A. Jennings, Unleashing the Power of Prayer (Moody Press, 1989)
Johnny Bartek, a sergeant and close friend of Captain Rickenbacker, tells of his experience when lost at sea. "As soon as we were in the rafts at the mercy of God, we realized that we were not in any condition to expect help from him. We spent many hours of each day confessing our sins to one another and to God... then we prayed, and God answered. "It was real. We needed water, and we got water--- all we needed . Then we asked for fish, and we got fish. And we got meat when we prayed. Seagulls don't go around sitting on people's heads waiting to be caught. On that eleventh day when those planes flew by, we all cried like babies. It was then I prayed again to God and said: "If you'll send one plane back for us, I promise I'll believe in you and tell everyone else. That plane came back, and the others flew on. It just happened? It did not. God sent that plane back." ----- Dick Eastman, No Easy Road (Baker Book House)
Even The Little Things... Is the Lord interested in the little things too? Consider this. When I was a freshman in college, I lost my fountain pen. It was in the days of the Great Depression, and I had no money. I was walking across a field where I thought I might have lost it, and being young I said, "Lord , help me find my fountain pen." I walked across the field, and there in front of my face was my fountain pen. God is interested in fountain pens as well as anything else. he wants me to come to him in everything. ----- Vonette Bright and Ben A. Jennings, Unleashing the Power of Prayer (Moody Press, 1989)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Why We Should Pray
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
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