We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

I know well that when Christ is nearest, Satan also is busiest.
Robert Murray McCheyne

Prayer Meeting Effectiveness – Part 1 (
1-5): 1. Show Up! It goes without saying that we need people in order to make a group prayer meeting effective. The more that come out to pray, the more prayer we can offer to the Lord. The more that come out to pray, the more others will be inspired to make the same bold commitment to corporate prayer as well. Yet it also goes without saying that coming out can oftentimes be a challenge. Usually by 5:00 on Wednesday nights, we’ve conceived every excuse under the sun to justify our absence. Any personal application there? Think of it this way. If corporate prayer is one of our most effective weapons for spiritual success, don’t you think Satan and your flesh will do everything within their power to keep you away? Don’t give in! Discipline yourself to attend. If your feelings are not right, attend and pray that the Lord changes your heart. Erroll Hulse once said, “It is customary to mark engagements in our diary. If meeting the King with our fellow believers is important it will surely be reserved in our diary. Invitations to dinner or to recreational events will have to be fitted in elsewhere. Jesus says that we have not because we fail to ask (James 4:2). Is the audience with our Monarch esteemed by you as a priority? Does your diary reflect that fact?” Show up! There is strength in numbers! 2. Come Prepared! Arguably, our prayer meeting is the most important gathering of the church. Yet because we meet at the same time each week it is possible to fall into a mindless routine that just goes through the motions. Because we meet late in the evenings it is possible to come with minds clouded and numbed from the day’s activities. As a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a prayer meeting is only as effective as its weakest member. Be prepared to make your contribution by being sure to have prepared yourself spiritually before you arrive. For example, ask God to remind you of the awesome privilege you have to come into His holy presence with your requests. Ask God to put specific prayer requests on your heart. Ask God for a delight in His name so that He may grant you the desires of your heart (Psm. 37:4). Ask God to give you a love for Him and others. As the great evangelist, D.L. Moody, said over a hundred years ago, “The members should come to the meeting in the spirit of prayer. It ought to be on their hearts from week to week.' 3. Be Genuine! Many do not attend the prayer meeting simply because they are embarrassed to pray in the presence of others. That’s not good! Others go in the opposite direction and attend for the purpose of attempting to impress others with their prayers. That’s even worse! I’m sure we’ve all witnessed those who all of a sudden change their accent (perhaps a little Scottish flair) or pray in “King James Version” or use big theological words that they barely understand themselves or employ many words all for the sake of appearance. God is not impressed! Our Lord condemned this spirit (Mt. 6:5, 7). God looks not at the outward appearance, but the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). The heart that honors Him is the heart that seeks to gain His attention. All Christians can achieve this! Humble, childlike faith is esteemed in the ears of the Lord and should likewise be esteemed in the ears of His children who are present. 4. Pray Specifically! Effective prayer is specific prayer. Oftentimes we do not have because we do not ask (Jas. 4:2). For example, it’s easy to ask the Lord to bless our missionaries, but specifically how do we wish for them to be blessed? Is it God’s will to heal every sick person? Of course we pray for their relief, but what about their witness to the caregivers both in words and behavior, the sufficient grace to be upheld spiritually, the spiritual growth as a result of their trial and their understanding of God’s love and faithfulness despite the misery? Are you praying for people in particular? Use their names (see Romans 16)! Avoid the vague generalities and hone in on the particular circumstances with a creative, thoughtful and deliberate Spirit-led precision. 5. Don’t Pray About Everything! In large prayer meetings it’s customary to be broken down into a number of small groups. Commonly the leader assigned will then review the prayer agenda and/or take specific prayer requests from the people assembled. The needs are noted and internalized by those present, but then too often the first person to speak prays for everything before the next person even has an opportunity to open his or her mouth! Not only is domination like this in the prayer meeting selfish; it is also potentially frustrating for the others that are gathered. Effective groups will witness each person taking a topic or two until all the given topics have been covered. This not only guarantees the participation of everybody, but also enhances the mental and spiritual engagement of each participant to be sure that all the issues are prayed over before the group concludes their time together.

    • The names of God part 1

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    This entry is part 1 of 7 in the series The names of God - Student Guide

    The names of God - Student Guide

    The names of God part 1

    The Names Of God

    Part 1

    From *Theology* Conference On THE WORD BBS South Australia

    WEEK ONE … DAY 1 – 7

    From: BRIAN JENNINGS
    Subject: NAMES OF GOD

    DAY 1 Date ……… GOD (Elohim) Genesis ch1v1-31

    READ: Pray for Understanding.

    1. The name GOD in the Old Testament is usually a translation of the Hebrew name Elohim, meaning “omnipotent power and dominion over the whole universe”. Describe what God (Elohim) created on each day of creation.

    1.

    2.

    3.

    4.

    5.

    6.

    B. What attributes did God display by creating the universe and

    everything in it?

    C. Because God is the Creator of all and my Maker, I respond to Him by:

    DEED: Pray for Creativity in Serving Him.

    God, do Your powerful work through me to:

    NEED: Pray for Strength.

    My greatest need today is:

    Today………God solved my need by:

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    In the Old Testament the name God (Elohim) is used more than 2,300 times. To understand more about Him, study Psalm ch104 and Job ch38-41.

    DAY 2 Date ……… GOD ALMIGHTY (El Shaddai) Genesis ch17v1-27

    READ: Pray for Faith.

    1. When Abraham was 75 years old, God promised to give him descendants who would build a great nation (Genesis ch12v1-9). But at the age of 99, he still did not have a son. What did God Almighty promise this old man?
    2. God Almighty (translation of the Hebrew name El Shaddai) refers to His all sufficiency and mighty power to accomplish His promises. How did Abraham show he believed Him?
    3. When God Almighty promises me through His Word to do “impossible” things, I will:

    DEED: Pray for Obedience.

    God Almighty, do the impossible through me by:

    NEED: Pray for God’s Sufficiency.

    My greatest need today is: God Almighty showed Himself sufficient to answer my need today ………by:

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    Study what God Almighty did for Jacob (Abraham’s grandson) and how Jacob responded to Him. Genesis ch28v1-22 and Genesis ch35v1-15.

    DAY 3 Date ……… I AM (Jehovah) Exodus ch3v1-22

    READ: Pray for Knowledge of God’s Character.

    1. The Hebrew people had been enslaved in Egypt for hundreds of years. God chose and 80-year-old shepherd, Moses, to lead them out. In the process He revealed His name I AM (Jehovah), which is translated in the Old Testament into the English name LORD. What characteristics does the LORD reveal about Himself in this passage?
    2. What was Moses’ reaction to the LORD’s command?
    3. When the LORD asks me to do something difficult, I will:

    DEED: Pray for compassion.

    Eternal LORD, lead me to:

    NEED: Pray for Freedom From Bondage.

    My greatest need today is:

    The LORD answered my prayer today ../../.. Here’s how:

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    The name LORD (Jehovah) appears 5,863 times in the Old Testament. It has all capitals to distinguish it from another Hebrew name, Adonai, which is also translated Lord. (See day 10.). In the New Testament only Lord (Greek kurios, meaning “master”, equivalent to Adonai) is used. Jesus claimed to be I AM in John ch8v48-59.

    DAY 4 Date ……… LORD Who Heals (Jehovah-Rophe) Exodus ch15v1-27

    READ: Pray for Thankful Attitude.

    1. The Israelites left Egypt and slavery, but as they came to the Red Sea, the Egyptian warriors closed in to destroy them. The LORD miraculously delivered them. What did the people thank him for?
    2. Three days later they faced another dilemma. How did they react? What is the significance of the name the LORD Who Heals?
    3. When I am confronted with a difficult dilemma, I will:

    DEED: Pray for Opportunities to Show God’s Healing Power to Others.

    Jehovah-Rophe, please heal:

    NEED: Pray for God’s Deliverance.

    My greatest need today is: Today ../../.. Jehovah-Rophe answered my prayer. Here’s how:

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    The Lord Jesus Christ is the Great Physician. Read about His healing power in Mark ch5.

    DAY 5 Date ……… ROCK Tsuwr Deuteronomy ch32v1-47

    READ: Pray for Wisdom to Take God’s Warning to heart.

    1. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, the Israelites were getting ready to enter the Promised Land. Moses reminded them of their relationship with God. Describe the Rock and what He does for His servants.
    2. How did the ROCK treat those who forsook Him?
    3. My response to God, my Rock, is:

    DEED: Pray for Courage to Proclaim the Name of the Lord.

    God, my Rock, guide me to:

    NEED: Pray for Confidence in God’s Ways.

    My greatest need today is:

    My Rock answered my prayer today ../../.. in this way:

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    Our Rock is a refuge from troubles and a source of strength. Find out how David apprroached Him in Psalm ch62.

    DAY 6 Date ../../.. Deliverer (palat) 2Samuel ch22v1-51

    READ: Pray for Divine Protection.

    1. King David of Israel had many powerful enemies, including King Saul, who aggressively tried to destroy him. However, they all failed miserably because David trusted his Deliverer. What was it about God that assured David he could find victory in Him?
    2. What were David’s attitudes and actions toward God?
    3. My response to my Deliverer is:

    DEED: Pray for Appreciation of God’s Lovingkindness.

    I am confident my God, my Deliverer, will:

    NEED: Pray for Deliverance From Stress.

    My greatest need today is:

    My Deliverer answered my prayer today ../../.. like this:

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    David sang this song again in Psalm ch18. Compare the two songs. Notice the similarities and the differences.

    DAY 7 Date ../../.. Judge of the Earth (shaphat ‘erets) Psalm ch94v1-23

    READ: Pray for a Righteous Life.

    1. A judge has the authority to pass judgment on persons in a court of law. What attributes does the Judge of the Earth possess that qualify Him to make final judgement on every person?
    2. Compare how differently He treats the two kinds of individuals:
    3. I humble myself before the Judge because:

    DEED: Pray for the Help of the Lord.

    O Judge of the Earth, open up the way for me to:

    NEED: Pray for Relief From the Days of Adversity.

    My greatest need today is:

    Today ../../.. the Judge of the Earth answered my prayer in this way:

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    Jesus has the authority to render judgement on everyone. Find out about His unique role as th Judge in John ch5.

    If this file has assisted you and you have questions please feel free to drop a message by private netmail to the writer, Brian Jennings (680/804) or Ken Richards (680/803.1) or Marilyn Simmons (680/803.6).

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