John 41-42 Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me.
Are you confident that when you pray your Father really hears you? On a scale of 1 to 10 what is your confidence level that your prayers are being heard?
Scripture makes it real clear that the key to effective prayer is that we abide in Christ by letting God’s word be our guide that leads us to a life of obedience.
Our motivation to live that way should be out of gratitude for what God has done for us and not what we can do for Him.
Jesus said if you love me you will obey what I command (John 14:15)
I obey God because I love Jesus and it is my natural response for what He has done and continues to do for me.
1 John 3:21-22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
John 15:7 says that: If you remain (abide) in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.
Because of this profound yet simple truth I can start all my prayers by saying: Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me when I pray!!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
James 5:13 Is anyone one of you in trouble? He should pray.
I find this scripture to be one of the most enlightening scriptures that has changed my perspective on prayer and as a result, has changed my life.
I write in my book (They Called Me White Jesus) that God does not respond to the things we do like He does the things we ask Him for.
One reason for that is that God wants us to pray for everything we need and desire for God to do in our lives. The bible tells us that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).
In this case the bible is instructing us to pray when we are in trouble. Notice that is does not tell us to ask others to pray for you when you are in trouble. It is telling you to pray.
There is nothing wrong with other people praying for you and that will always help but God knew that we would struggle from time to time and He gave us a gift called prayer to tap into His power source to help us when we are in trouble and the only way out of trouble according to James 5:13 is for us to pray.
Notice how we are instructed to ask for prayer when we are sick in James 5:14—Is anyone among you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the person well.
Did you ever wonder why God would instruct us to pray for some things on our own and have others pray for you for other matters?
I know from personal experience that when I pray the way God tells me to pray that I get blessed and something great happens every time I choose to follow the instructional (Bible) manual!
I believe that the bible has a solution for every problem I face and for every time I am in trouble. The solution is found when I activate the power of prayer as a first response instead of a last resort by praying according to James 5:13. When I pray the moment trouble hits, God has a way of showing up, offering His peace until the answer comes, and taking care of 100% of the outcome of every circumstance that I will face as a result of following His instructions.
Psalm 34:17 says: The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Did you notice the word (all) in that promise?
My hope is that you will cast all cares upon Him first through prayer because He cares for you!! 1 Peter 5:7
Be Blessed and Encouraged
I write in my book (They Called Me White Jesus) that God does not respond to the things we do like He does the things we ask Him for.
One reason for that is that God wants us to pray for everything we need and desire for God to do in our lives. The bible tells us that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).
In this case the bible is instructing us to pray when we are in trouble. Notice that is does not tell us to ask others to pray for you when you are in trouble. It is telling you to pray.
There is nothing wrong with other people praying for you and that will always help but God knew that we would struggle from time to time and He gave us a gift called prayer to tap into His power source to help us when we are in trouble and the only way out of trouble according to James 5:13 is for us to pray.
Notice how we are instructed to ask for prayer when we are sick in James 5:14—Is anyone among you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the person well.
Did you ever wonder why God would instruct us to pray for some things on our own and have others pray for you for other matters?
I know from personal experience that when I pray the way God tells me to pray that I get blessed and something great happens every time I choose to follow the instructional (Bible) manual!
I believe that the bible has a solution for every problem I face and for every time I am in trouble. The solution is found when I activate the power of prayer as a first response instead of a last resort by praying according to James 5:13. When I pray the moment trouble hits, God has a way of showing up, offering His peace until the answer comes, and taking care of 100% of the outcome of every circumstance that I will face as a result of following His instructions.
Psalm 34:17 says: The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Did you notice the word (all) in that promise?
My hope is that you will cast all cares upon Him first through prayer because He cares for you!! 1 Peter 5:7
Be Blessed and Encouraged
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