Certainly, not all of our praying is for ourselves. We pray for those in our family, friends, and members of a congregation. We also can pray for those whom we do not know (such as those suffering from natural disasters.) It's possible and likely that there are many people who do not even know we are praying for them.
Intercessory prayer we find in Scripture. The apostle Paul was praying for the believers in Ephesus. He wrote: "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers..." (Eph. 1:16) He prayed that the believers there would have wisdom and knowledge and the hope to which they have been called.
We are able to pray for others. How often do you do this? It's true that we don't know the effect of our prayers. For some of our prayers, we might see them answered; but for others, we can only trust God to work in people's lives.
As we pray for others, we realize that praying is no longer a solitary activity. Our thoughts not only turn to God, but we are bringing to mind those for whom we care deeply. It's possible they might really need our prayers.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Praying into God's Mercy
Because you have messed up, you might not want to approach God. You might even feel unworthy to come before God with what you have done or you might doubt that God can help your in time of need.
Consider the words of the Psalmist:
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by." Ps. 57:1
The psalmist recognized that in a time of danger, he could put aside all unworthiness and approach God for help.
When you do need help or forgiveness, how willing are you to come before God? Can you let yourself live under the umbrella of God's mercy? Can you put away your pride? It might take more effort, but you will feel the peace that can only come from God. You might even experience the deliverance and answer to prayer that you need.
Consider the words of the Psalmist:
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by." Ps. 57:1
The psalmist recognized that in a time of danger, he could put aside all unworthiness and approach God for help.
When you do need help or forgiveness, how willing are you to come before God? Can you let yourself live under the umbrella of God's mercy? Can you put away your pride? It might take more effort, but you will feel the peace that can only come from God. You might even experience the deliverance and answer to prayer that you need.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Praying for the Spiritual Growth of Others
Recently, I read in a church bulletin the request by parents that others would pray for their children coming to know Jesus Christ. As I read that request, I wonder how much we really do pray for the spiritual growth of others. While we might be praying continually for people to be healed, to get a job, or graduate from school, I'm afraid that others spirituality can be a neglected dimension in prayer.
Is there someone you might know who does not know Jesus, or is having doubts about the faith? Might not your prayers be needed for this individual?
I think we have to realize that faith goes beyond reason. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. As such we do need divine help.
Along with this, we would also recognize that God's power can work beyond what we can imagine. We must never give up on praying for someone's salvation. The Holy Spirit can work beyond what we can conceive.
So, who today needs your prayers for spiritual growth. Why not pray today for them!
Is there someone you might know who does not know Jesus, or is having doubts about the faith? Might not your prayers be needed for this individual?
I think we have to realize that faith goes beyond reason. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. As such we do need divine help.
Along with this, we would also recognize that God's power can work beyond what we can imagine. We must never give up on praying for someone's salvation. The Holy Spirit can work beyond what we can conceive.
So, who today needs your prayers for spiritual growth. Why not pray today for them!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Ubiquity of God
Our outdoor sign has the slogan this week: "Because God is everywhere; you can pray anywhere."
While we know that distance isn't a factor in our praying, it helps to be reminded that we really can pray anywhere.
Might there be some venues where you do feel closer to God? In church? Out in a park?
What about when you are in the hospital, or when you are driving and you get lost? Might these places also hold weight in terms of knowing God is near to you?
In the Psalms we read, "Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." Ps. 139:7-8
There is no place that we can flee from God. Despite that, we can know that we have a loving God who is always open to hearing our pleas as well as our words of thanks - at any place, and at any time.
While we know that distance isn't a factor in our praying, it helps to be reminded that we really can pray anywhere.
Might there be some venues where you do feel closer to God? In church? Out in a park?
What about when you are in the hospital, or when you are driving and you get lost? Might these places also hold weight in terms of knowing God is near to you?
In the Psalms we read, "Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." Ps. 139:7-8
There is no place that we can flee from God. Despite that, we can know that we have a loving God who is always open to hearing our pleas as well as our words of thanks - at any place, and at any time.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Prayer - an Isolated Event?
Worship is something that encompasses our entire life. The apostle Paul wrote: "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1 Worship is not just the one hour on Sunday we gather with others in the faith; rather, it is also how we live out our faith.
Prayer, likewise, is not an isolated event. Prayer has to do with how we are living out our lives. The psalmist wrote: "O Lord of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?" Psalm 80:4 While we might not know the full context here, the people needed to be saved from some threatening danger. They were praying that God would deliver them. But why did not God answer right on the spot? It was as if God was angry with their prayers.
We might conjecture that they weren't using the right words. A more plausible explanation is that the people needed to get their house in order. They needed to turn to God.
For us our prayers are not an isolated event. Maybe we need to repent and change our way of living. How willing are you to see the big picture?
Prayer, likewise, is not an isolated event. Prayer has to do with how we are living out our lives. The psalmist wrote: "O Lord of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?" Psalm 80:4 While we might not know the full context here, the people needed to be saved from some threatening danger. They were praying that God would deliver them. But why did not God answer right on the spot? It was as if God was angry with their prayers.
We might conjecture that they weren't using the right words. A more plausible explanation is that the people needed to get their house in order. They needed to turn to God.
For us our prayers are not an isolated event. Maybe we need to repent and change our way of living. How willing are you to see the big picture?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Power of Faith in Prayer
I'm sure there are times when you prayed when you wondered if you had enough faith in order for your prayer to be answered. I believe that many times we may not believe that God could possibly solve the complex problems that we have. If that's the case with you, maybe it's time to think of enlarging your faith.
In Matthew 17 we read of a man coming to Jesus whose son was epileptic. The father had brought his son to Jesus' disciples for healing and discovered that the disciples could not heal him. The father now pleads to Jesus for help. Jesus then heals the boy.
Next, we have the disciples going to Jesus privately and asking why they could not heal the boy. Jesus told them it was because of their little faith.
How much faith do you have when you pray? Are you expecting great things to happen? If you don't, maybe you need to look at what you believe about God. Do you really trust him for all things? Do you believe God go beyond what you can imagine? Or do you simply live by luck and chance in regard to God's working? I hope you will opt for being strong in faith when praying!
In Matthew 17 we read of a man coming to Jesus whose son was epileptic. The father had brought his son to Jesus' disciples for healing and discovered that the disciples could not heal him. The father now pleads to Jesus for help. Jesus then heals the boy.
Next, we have the disciples going to Jesus privately and asking why they could not heal the boy. Jesus told them it was because of their little faith.
How much faith do you have when you pray? Are you expecting great things to happen? If you don't, maybe you need to look at what you believe about God. Do you really trust him for all things? Do you believe God go beyond what you can imagine? Or do you simply live by luck and chance in regard to God's working? I hope you will opt for being strong in faith when praying!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Gethsemane Experience
One of the most trying times and certainly most personal times for Jesus came after the final Passover meal when he departed with his inner circle of disciples to Gethsemane. Jesus knew what was ahead for him, yet he wanted to do the will of his heavenly Father. He prayed: "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39
How often do we know a trying time is coming up for us - maybe something we know we must pass through - and yet we would rather side step it. We realize that we must study hard in order to pass a course. We must go through a certain medical therapy if we want to find healing. We must risk trying something new if we want to move ahead in our lives.
Praying into the will of God means that we are willing to submit our lives for what God desires for us. It might not be painless; it might be for our growth.
It's easy to tell God exactly how things should go in our lives. How willing are you to submit to God's will in order to live the life God wants for you?
How often do we know a trying time is coming up for us - maybe something we know we must pass through - and yet we would rather side step it. We realize that we must study hard in order to pass a course. We must go through a certain medical therapy if we want to find healing. We must risk trying something new if we want to move ahead in our lives.
Praying into the will of God means that we are willing to submit our lives for what God desires for us. It might not be painless; it might be for our growth.
It's easy to tell God exactly how things should go in our lives. How willing are you to submit to God's will in order to live the life God wants for you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
