Prayer: October 30, 2009

TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2009.

PRAYER

Defined by Webster:
Spiritual communication with God; A devout petition to God or an object of worship; the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship; a petition.

GODS WORD

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made to God.” Philippians 4:6

“So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.” Exodus 4:31

WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE

Prayer is one of the pillars of the Christian faith. When we pray we communicate with our Heavenly father and it is a privilege to take all of our burdens, requests and praise to almighty God. There are six vital lessons for us to learn about prayer:

• We must pray as the Lord prayed. He gave us an example with what we normally call the Lord’s Prayer. (Luke 11:1-4)
• We are to pray in the Spirit. Jude tells us in Jude 20 that we are to pray in the Holy Spirit who will guide and assists in our prayers. We need the intercession that the Holy Spirit can give us to speak to the father. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray unselfishly, purely and correctly.
• We are to pray according to God’s will. In Romans 12:2 we are told that God’s will for the Christian believer is good, acceptable and perfect. We learn what is God’s will from the scriptures, the leading of the Holy Spirit from within us and the circumstances which God allows to occur in our lives.
• We are to pray without ceasing. In I Thessalonians 5:17 and 18, we are told to pray without ceasing, continually and with thanksgiving. God desires your fellowship, He desires you to have His forgiveness, peace, guidance and His rest in your soul.
• We are to pray believing. In Matthew 21:21 and 22 we are told to believe in God’s almighty ability and desire to answer our prayers from the evidence He has given us in the scriptures. We can ask in prayer and we need to ask “believing.”
• We are to pray in His name. Christ teaches us in John 16:23 and 24 to pray to the Father in His name. Christ knows that we are sinners, but when we are robed in His righteousness we are dressed as children of the King and can expect mountains to be moved. He assures that prayers in His name will be answered. Christ teaches that we must ask in His will that our joy may be full.

These six lessons if studied and practiced will give us a prayer life that honors God and will bring blessing to our lives as we allow God to work in our lives and answer our prayers.

TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER

Teach me today O Lord how to pray. As the disciples asked nearly 2000 years ago, I ask of you today for a new and exciting prayer life. Give me a burden to pray without ceasing for my family and friends. May I have a new burden to pray for those in need. Thank You for the blessing You will give me in answer to my prayers.