Monday, June 11, 2012

A Prayer

Prayer is a gift from God - part of His grace.  Many people don't really understand how simple and beautiful prayer is, or even what it is.  For example, sometimes people talk about the power of prayer ... but this is wrong.  Prayer has no power at all.  The power is all God. 

Prayer is nothing more (or less) than talking to God!  What makes prayer appear powerful is when God responds to it.  This is important, because it's when we realize that we're going to GOD Himself that we understand how, when, why to pray.  How do you speak to The Creator of heaven and earth?  How do you speak to The King, the Boss, the Master, the Lord of all?  Do you speak to Him disrespectfully?  Do you question His ability?  Maybe you challenge His love?  This would be foolish, indeed!  And it's why Solomon wrote:
Guard your steps as you go to the house of God - and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they don’t know they’re doing evil.  Don’t be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God; for God is in heaven & you’re on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

 Prayer isn't just conversation ... it's approaching the throne of heaven and earth - and all that includes.  Because of that, there aren't many rules about prayer ... rather the rules change as each culture uses different signs of respect.  One shows respect by kneeling, another by standing with lifted hands.  Whatever is your custom - make sure you do that.  And because it's God, don't think for a moment you can fake it and fool Him - you cannot!

Prayer is something more than just words - it combines with action, or it's useless.  In Luke 10.2 when Jesus sends out the 72, he also tells them to pray that God would send forth more to go out.  You see there that the words of prayer are combined with action.  And it's the same in the Lord's Prayer, when we ask for His will to be done.  Does it make sense to ask Him to do His will, if we don't also DO His will ourselves? 

I've written some prayers that are intended to be combined with action.  I'll put them all on the website soon, but yesterday we talked about one of these prayers, so I'll try to attach it here, now.  Pray this prayer no less than three times a day (five times a day is better) for the next 21 days.  Pray it - and DO what the prayer suggests. 

You will be astonished at the power of God working in your life and in the lives of the people you contact.  I mean, it'll blow your mind.  But you must PRAY it, and DO it together. 

Just try ... I dare you            Love Prayer  (5x/day x 21 days + action  = growth)

3 comments:

  1. This is quite a challenge, but I think that up to it. Dave & I will be heading to OR on Saturday with our good friends, the Halls, the Luttrells, & the Sutherlands (all of our 11 grandkids together for the 1st [& probably only] time). What a good way to encompass them all in growing toward God together!

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  2. I love it!! This is something I desire will all my heart and what I have been praying for on and off for the past few months. It's going to be a great reminder! :)

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  3. [...] is what the “Love Prayer” (see June 11 blog entry below) is all about.  Some of us are praying it, and some are trying to … several times a day.  What [...]

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