Word for Today, Mon, 3 Apr 2006: Prayer: A Ministry
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Larry Davies has another good message that is near and dear to my heart
concerning prayer. Previously, Larry wrote about personal prayer and I added
some references to a Psalm of praise. This week, Larry writes about corporate
prayer forms - when we pray collaboratively for others. I believe that we can
pray for others both publicly and privately. The one statement I would make
AGAINST public prayer is when prayer turns into a trumpet call, drawing
attention to ourselves.
I can tell you one thing right now, the last thing I want to do is to draw
attention to myself, especially if it takes attention from our Lord. In that
case, we are no longer speaking about prayer at all, we are speaking about
bragging. Therefore, let's be clear about what prayer is. Prayer is
communication with God. When we are simply "talking out", that is not prayer.
In order to communicate with God, we need to know who God is. We know who God
is by reading His Word, the Bible, and believing what it says. If we do so, we
quickly realize that God is the most awesome One - EVER. He is NOT a creation,
for HE created ALL things that have been created (not "made"). Men make
things, God creates. We are His people. He loves us deeply. God is
completely right, all powerful, the Almighty One. To approach God in any
manner other than humility is showing contempt and ignorance toward the nature
and character of God.
Our God is incredibly gracious, and He wants us to come to Him. But if we
really know Him, we do certainly want to come to Him, but the manner in which
we approach our God will not be in some cavalier approach, but in awe, in
wonder, with great love, but with utmost honor and respect, more than we would
exhibit to the greatest leader ever known - for God is Lord over all.
Coming to God with a right attitude, let us most certainly approach our God.
First, let us praise Him. Sincere praise gets us in the right frame of mind.
Thanks. That is a BIG thing, and we ought to be extremely thankful that we
have a gracious God who wants to have a personal relationship with us. How
many leaders do you know that are like that? Let us confess and admit our need
before Him. We know, deep down in our hearts that each one of us is a sinner
without any excuse before God whatsoever. We are thankful because we are
forgiven of our sin because of Jesus Christ. However, forgiveness comes with
some conditions. IF we confess our sins, He IS faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
Isn't forgiveness something to be grateful for? As I write these words, my
thoughts are that we have much more to say about how great God is and how
thankful we are than we have to ask about this or that. FIRST, let's get our
priorities straight. Let's confess our need, acknowledge the One who meets our
need, thank Him honestly and profusely for meeting our deepest need, and then
we are in a better position and a better attitude to come before our God.
Let's read from Larry about some of the ways we can gather - once we get in the
right "posture" (and by that, I mean setting our hearts in the right place).
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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Sowing Seeds of Faith...
Subject: Your website concerning suicide
Dear Pastor Davies: Last Saturday a young high school student hung herself. The
teenage girl went to elementary school with my daughter. They were
acquaintances, but not good friends. We live in a upper middle class community
in San Diego. Most of the children in this community are very indulged. It is
not uncommon for children to receive a new BMW for their 16th birthday. There
is a lot of pressure on these children to be: beautiful (blonde and thin)
successful (top grades, top colleges) and talented (sports, music, etc.). While
nothing is wrong with being beautiful, smart or talented, when one's worth is
based on these qualities, what happens to those who don't measure up?
Many adults in our community are so "comfortable" in their earthly treasures
and successes the youth are often ignored or "bought." with money and "things".
Many of the youth have never been exposed to the ideas of God, faith, Christ,
Redemption and Forgiveness and most of all unconditional love and acceptance.
As I read the letters regarding suicides I was overwhelmed by the deep pain and
loneliness that these individuals felt. I imagine that is the way Amanda felt
just before she placed the belt around her neck. The Lord has put a heavy
burden on my heart regarding this young lady and I am asking Him to show me if
there is anything I can do to help. After reading through your website I know
the very least I can do is pray for these hurting people. I ask you to please
keep Scripps Ranch in your prayers - especially our youth. Please pray that our
community will be burdened with a desire to reach out to all those who feel
unloved, unwanted and undeserving.
Thank you for you website - I will pray that it will be a source of comfort and
hope for all who see it. God wins, Patti
You can read about my own reason for being involved in this difficult issue of
suicide by clicking here: http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/mom's.htm
-------------------------
To see last week's devotion on prayer click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/prayer.htm
Moving from Prayer to Prayer Ministry Larry Davies
* A friend of a two-year old girl struggling with cancer requests prayer over
the Internet.
* Thirty-eight men attend a "Walk to Emmaus" weekend while hundreds more
pray.
* At 6:00 every morning a bell rings calling members of one family to
devotions and prayer.
Last week, prayer was described as a unique opportunity to be in relationship
with God: One that can make an authentic difference in your life and the life
of anyone who comes in contact with you. But this is only the first step
towards an exhilarating prayer ministry. Like a stone hitting still water,
prayer ministry begins with one ripple then spreads outward in ever-wider
circles.
"At 6:00 AM, Mom rings the bell to summon us to the prayer room. At 6:15 we
better be there," laughs one of the children. "We've been gathering every
morning for over ten years. I used to hate it getting up so early but now
morning prayer time is a regular habit. Our family held together through good
times and bad and what I cherish the most is our morning prayers."
The first circle begins with family: Prayer can start with grace at mealtime.
We learn to pray with our spouse or a close friend. Parents should pray
regularly with their children. "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each
morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." (Psalm 5:3) Prayer
can be the glue which holds a family together amongst a world falling apart.
"Every Sunday morning at 7:30 our group meets at church to offer encouragement
and prayers. It's the only time all of us can make it. We've helped each other
through marriage problems, deaths and serious illness. Each week, we challenge
ourselves to be a better Christian witness than the week before. It hasn't
always been easy but this group made me a better person."
The second circle involves a small group: Two key features of this ministry are
accountability and encouragement. Accountability represents the desire to
improve while warm, loving encouragement keeps you going when accountability is
impossible. "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful
heart." (Col. 4:2) Prayer sustains and challenges us.
"During worship I asked for prayer on behalf of a man in another state facing
surgery. A candle was lit reminding us to pray and a card of encouragement was
mailed the next day. He called me later in tears. That prayer card was the
first thing he saw when he woke up in the recovery room."
The third prayer circle is your local church: Prayer should be a regular part
of worship, but there could also be regular prayer gatherings and occasional
healing services. Many churches post lists where someone can pray at any hour
of every day. There are prayer chains so more urgent prayers are passed on
quickly. "They... devoted themselves to... prayer." (Acts 2:42)
Thirty-eight men recently attended a "Walk to Emmaus" weekend while others
worked behind the scenes and hundreds more prayed: Some prayed at a certain
hour for the success of the weekend, while others prayed for an individual.
When the 'walk' was over, thirty-eight men spoke of life-changing experiences.
Why? There were many reasons but underneath it all was prayer."
The fourth prayer circle is within a wider community: Following the September
11 tragedy communities gathered to pray for the victims and for solutions to
society's plaque of violence. "I urge you first of all, to pray for all
people." (1 Tim. 2:1) A wider community of prayer can be expanded to include
your neighborhood and even the entire world. Here is a creative example:
A two-year old girl named Becky is struggling with cancer and a family friend
goes home to her computer and begins searching the Internet for prayer groups.
To each group, she sends an urgent email message asking them to pray for Becky.
Within hours, thousands of people around the world are praying and sending
emails offering love and encouragement.
Prayer Ministry begins with you and spreads outward in ever-wider circles. The
possibilities are endless and the potential is awe-inspiring. Question: How is
your prayer ministry doing?
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
How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds Ministry
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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