Word for Today, Mon, 27 Mar 2006: Learning to Pray
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Others have asked this question before: Do you believe that God answers prayer?
IF so, when was the last time you prayed? Do you know that God WANTS us to
pray?
What is prayer? Prayer is our way to communicate with God. Since our God is
Spirit, we do not simply walk up to Him and start talking out loud, expecting
to hear an audible voice back. We can speak out loud to God, but we have to
listen for His response within our Spirit. In order to communicate with God,
we have to know something about the nature and character of God. How can we do
that unless we regularly read God's Word?
Therefore, the prescription for communicating with God is to first read God's
Word, which is His written, spoken Word to us. From time to time God will
speak directly to us from within. When that happens, you will know it. But
far more often, we ought to be looking into what God has already said, for He
has spoken volumes to us in His Word, the Bible.
Since God is unchanging, what God's Word says in the Bible are the same kinds
of things He will say to us. While He will, at times, speak directly to us, if
we are really ready to listen, undoubtedly what He says will be consistent with
the principles that He has set forth for us already.
Read this Psalm and give God praise for who He is and what He has done. That
is one way you can begin your conversation with God, acknowledging Him and
realizing you are not having a conversation with just anyone, He is the
Almighty One.
Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
This Psalm has a lot of good principles in it. Psalms are discussions with
God, songs of praise to God, and also cries and confessions to God.
Larry Davies has another good message that is near and dear to my heart
concerning prayer. I encourage you to read it and think about what Larry is
saying and consider your own personal relationship with God. Is He your best
friend? Do you speak with Him as often as you do any of your friends? Read
what Larry has to say about this topic.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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Sowing Seeds of Faith...
"Teach Me How to Pray" Larry Davies
"Does God answer prayers?" I asked a class.
"Of course... yes... always," were the quick and enthusiastic replies.
"Then, why don't we pray more frequently?" I answered. An uncomfortable silence
filled the room.
Finally, the excuses poured out: "I'm too busy! There is no time! God's too
busy to listen to me! I don't know what to say! I'm not worthy! I don't know
how!"
Our individual reasons may sound different but our predicament is basically the
same. We (confession time: including me) do not fully appreciate the importance
and power of prayer. Prayer should be as critical and functional as the
steering wheel on your car. "Without you, O Lord, I can go nowhere!" Yet, for
most of us, prayer is actually more like the spare tire... seldom used except
when something goes flat. In other words: "Don't call us... we'll call when we
need You!"
Prayer is supposed to be an ongoing relationship with almighty God more than an
opportunity to present a wish list to a heavenly Santa Claus. But any good
relationship needs commitment and a willingness to invest time... lots of time.
Suppose you told a trusted spouse or friend the reason you can't spend more
time with them is: "I'm too busy! No time! You're probably too busy to listen
to me! I don't know what to say! I'm not worthy! I don't know how?" What kind
of friendship is that?
Here is God's promise on the subject of prayer: "Don't worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he
has done. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more
wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts
and mind as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
Our tendency is to worry isn't it? Yet we know worry solves nothing and often
causes emotional, physical and spiritual harm. Prayer means giving your worries
to God, who in return promises a supernatural peace: a peace far more wonderful
than the human mind can understand. Could it really be as simple as that? Yes
it can but you must make a commitment to pray regularly.
Here is a basic formula to guide your prayer life:
1. Praise God: Praise sets the tone and reminds you who God really is. Try
looking at some of the Psalms and reading them out loud to get you started:
Psalm 8, 19 & 148.
2. Confession: A good relationship strengthens with honesty. No sane doctor
would offer a cure without hearing what hurts. Admitting your faults promotes
spiritual healing.
3. Listen: Sometimes, it's easier to talk than to really listen. Easy but not
smart. Quiet times are often where you will find direction. Listening allows
God to speak to your soul.
4. Ask for Help: This part becomes more meaningful when you take the time to
praise, confess and listen. This is when you literally learn to stop worrying
and start praying.
5. Give Thanks. Sometimes this step will not be easy but giving thanks
recognizes that God is looking out for you and has your best interest at heart.
You are saying, "I trust you."
6. Keep a Journal: This may be the most important part of your prayer life.
The journal is where disappointments, struggles, joys and miracles are recorded
and remembered.
"Does God answer our prayers?" Yes, but are we doing our part?
Two people with similar difficulties begin to pray. One expects results and
finishes his prayer frustrated and confused. Months later, the problem and the
prayer is forgotten. Another prays looking to spend a few quiet moments with a
trusted friend and completes her prayer feeling more content and at peace. Over
the next few months while recording her thoughts in a journal, she notices
progress with the problem itself and especially in her ability to cope. She
thanks God.
Think about it. You have a unique opportunity to be in a relationship with God:
One that can make an authentic difference in your life and the life of anyone
who comes in contact with you. So, what are you waiting for? God? He's been
waiting patiently for you a long, long time.
Next week: Expanding your prayer life to the next step: Forming a prayer
ministry.
Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm
Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join our prayer team
today. Check it out by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm
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partner. Click here: http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm
Jesus said: "You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain,
glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket!
Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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