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Quotes
for Thought |
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The word of God is the
food by which prayer is nourished and made strong. -
E. M. Bounds
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"The secret of praying is
praying in secret." -- Leonard Ravenhill |
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Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure -
DL
Moody |
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"Then Peter
said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38
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Devotion
. . . I tell you, whatever you ask for in
prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours. Mark
11:12(NIV)
Why Pray?
JOHN 15:5 NKJ - 5 "I
am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
There are
three reasons to pray: for God's
benefit, for your benefit, and for the benefit of others.
To Benefit God
Just as earthly
parents enjoy talking with their child, our Heavenly Father enjoys
hearing from you. Also, God desires certain things done on Earth, but
He has delegated authority to mankind. Through our requests, God can
justly intervene in earthly situations and bring His will to pass. So,
praying in line with God's Word benefits God.
To Benefit You
Prayer is
communication with God. It includes listening, discussion, and giving
thanks -- not just asking for things. Relationship requires
communication. Your relationship with the Lord will never grow without
communication. Time spent in prayer helps you stay tuned-in
spiritually --remaining sensitive to God. Prayer keeps you "connected"
with God. It helps keep your focus on God and how great He is. Prayer
is a way of humbling yourself and is the opposite of doing things by
yourself. Receiving direction from God is the greatest help you can
get. If you fail to seek God's help, you are headed for trouble,
because the devil sets traps to destroy you. Also, talking with God
forces you to honestly face your situation -- for you know you cannot
fool God.
To Benefit Others
All around us,
people are in great need. Through prayer we can appropriate heavenly
help on their behalf. God can do more in one minute than you can do in
a lifetime.
Remember: 7
days without prayer make one weak!
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Prayer
Guidelines
Prayer is
communication with God. Talking with Almighty God is the greatest
privilege you have.
God desires a
growing relationship with you. Communication is essential for a
relationship to develop. Involve God in every part of your life:
every decision and every action. In that sense you should
pray without ceasing -- always
being in communication with God. However, we need special prayer
times focused completely on the Lord. He is worthy of our time and
attention -- and we require this time with Him to develop
spiritually. Remember the instruction
given in Psalm 100:4, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and
into His courts with praise." If you seem to run out of
words to praise God, use some of the Psalms, or praise and give
thanks in tongues(1 Cor.14:16-18).
Many use the
model prayer our Lord gave in Matthew 6:9-13 as a guideline for
their special daily prayer time. Some of the principles taught
are:
*You are praying to
your Father. *First worship and honor God.
*Pray that God's will be done before praying about your own or
others' needs.
*Ask for God's forgiveness and help.
*Finish by praising God.
During times of
prayer many find it helpful as a memory aid to have a prayer list
of people and things to pray for. Also, keeping a journal of your
prayer requests and answers is beneficial and will bless you
tremendously as the years go by.
Always base your
prayer on Scripture. Scripture is God's answer. Receiving from God
in prayer involves taking His answer (His Word) to Him and
receiving your request by faith.
Also, every
believer can and should develop the habit of praying much in
tongues. This not only edifies you spiritually (1
Corinthians 14:4, Jude 1:20), but allows you to pray
with a wisdom beyond your ability and knowledge (Romans
8:26-27). |
The Benefits of Prayer
31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and
not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah
40:31 NKJ
Most people look at
prayer only as asking God for things. If
that defines your
prayer life, you are really missing out.
Prayer is
communication with God -- the greatest privilege on earth.
Prayer is
visiting with God. It can include asking for things, but is primarily
spending time in God's presence, soaking up His life, His
wisdom, and His strength.
Isaiah reveals an
important truth to us: those who spend time
with God get new
strength. Literally, they exchange strength
with Him. When we
spend time with God He somehow takes away our weakness and
replaces it with His strength. What a deal!
As we spend time
focused on God, in His presence, we are also changed into His
likeness.
18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in
a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into
the same image... 2 Cor. 3:18 NKJ
So, if you need more
strength to face life, if you want to be more like God, or if
you want to develop a closer relationship with the most
amazing Being in the universe -- prayer is your answer. Don't worry about
knowing the right words or being formal. Just talk to God as you
would to a well-respected friend.
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Additional Bible Study
Why Are We Required To Pray:
All Verses are King James Versions
- I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1Tim. 2:8
- And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men
ought always to pray, and not to faint.
Luke 18:1
- After this manner therefore pray ye . . .
Matt. 6:9
- Pray without ceasing.
1Thes. 5:17
- . . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
James 5:16
- Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing
instant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
- But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore
sober, and watch unto prayer.
1Peter 4:7
- Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints.
Eph. 6:18
- 2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same
with thanksgiving; 3Withal praying also for us . . .
Col.
4:2-3
- But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Ghost
Jude 1:20
Special Prayer
Request:
- Pray for laborers - Pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matt. 9:38
- Pray to escape coming tribulation - Watch ye therefore,
and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all
these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the
Son of man.
Luke 21:36
- Pray for each other that each may be healed - Confess
your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
James 5:16
- Pray to not be lead into temptation. - Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matt. 26:41
- Pray for all men - I exhort therefore, that, first of
all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty.
1Tim 2:1-2
- Pray for your enemies. - But I say unto you, Love your
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you.
Matt. 5:44
- Pray for interpretation in giving a message in tongues. -
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray
that he may interpret.
1Cor. 14:13
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POEM
Prayer
by Bill Van Zanten
Pray as soon as day begins,
And, also at the end.
Pray for every hurt that comes,
On knees that easy bend.
Pray for God to put His hand,
On every thread of day.
Pray He brings your every need,
As you go on your way.
Pray to find your special place,
To do His appointed works.
Pray to miss the awful site,
Where Satan always lurks.
Pray for God to bring you peace,
And, sleep throughout the night.
Pray with open heart,
That leads you to the Light.
Pray for love so fully pure,
As deeply driven snow.
Pray for His wisdom full,
That all importance know.
Pray for Gods own comfort near,
That Jesus brings to bear.
Pray for life eternal won,
Knowing well how God does care.
Have permission and Copyright 2004 by Bill Van Zanten
Humor
In Need of Prayer
A young boy called the pastor of a local "corner" church to ask the
pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with
the flu.
The pastor knew the family and was aware they had been attending
another church down the road. So the pastor asked, "Shouldn't you be
asking Brother Simon down the road to come by to pray with your mom?"
The young boy replied, "Yeah, but we didn't want to take the
chance that he might catch whatever this is that Mom has."
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In All Things Give Thanks
A
4-year-old boy who was asked to return thanks before Christmas dinner.
The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his
prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then
he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa,
and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food.
He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the
cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip.
Then he paused, and everyone waited--and waited. After a long
silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, "If I
thank God for the broccoli, won't he know that I'm lying?"
God Bless!
Gerald Klingelhoefer
One God, One Faith, One Baptism
Ephesians 4:5
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Memory
Verses |
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John 16
24Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask
and you will receive. Then your joy will be full.
(NLT) |
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Col. 4
2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an
attitude of thanksgiving
(NASB) |
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Phil. 4
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
(NIV) |
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