Category: Prayer Thoughts

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Power of Prayer

The power of Prayer is so dynamic that we either take it for granted or we just don’t understand our God enough to completely open up our soul to Him regularly, daily, at moments of trials, or in times of joy. Why?

In times of stress and heavy burdens, we should depend upon our God through prayer and, in times of prosperity, happiness, receipt of blessings, we should abound in praise to our Father. 

We should seek God through prayer when we are really struggling BUT we should engage and ask for the prayers of others for the burdens we are carrying. He says, “is any among you in trouble, let him pray.”  And in James 5:15, the prayers being offered for the sick would seem to imply that there must be “faith” by BOTH the sick person being prayed for as well as the person that was asked to pray for this sick person. 

In seeking our God through prayer, we must also observe and give God the glory in the success of our prayers!  We should also share these blessings with our prayer partners that we ask to pray “with and for us!”  Isn’t it great to have those friends whose prayers are lifted up on our behalf to our loving Father?

Please read James 5:13-20:  “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

Also, Proverbs 15:8,28-29:  “God can’t stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers. Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people; the wicked are sewers of abuse. God keeps his distance from the wicked; he closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.”

Pray regularly, plan a standard time or at a standard place to pray. Fill your heart and mind with thanksgiving that you have this avenue at your disposal ANYTIME!

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Teach Us About Praying 

The bible tells us volumes about Jesus when we learn about the prayer life of Jesus. Jesus prayed often. He sought out his Father in times of need. He would slip off and away from the throngs of people to seek God and to talk to the Father. However, his prayers were always put at the feet of the Father with the understanding that he wanted the Father’s will to be done. 
His disciples asked him to teach them to pray as they saw how diligent he was in prayer and they wanted to be just like Jesus. In Matthew, he said, “Matthew 6:5-15, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

In James, we are taught about the power of prayer. James 5:13-16, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

How can we follow Jesus more closely? Are we learning more about Him daily? What should our time spent with Jesus be like? How do we accomplish this amidst our hectic and frantic daily life? Do you relish spending time in prayer?

How sweet is our time with God in prayer! This reminds me of the song “Sweet Hout of Prayer”

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care. And bids me at my Father’s throne. Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief. And oft escaped the tempter’s snare. By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share. Of those whose anxious spirits burn. With strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place. Where God my Savior shows His face. And gladly take my station there. And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear. To Him whose truth and faithfulness. Engage the waiting soul to bless. 

And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share. Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight. 

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise. To seize the everlasting prize. And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!

These lyrics certainly imply having faith and actions because of faith. In Mark 11:22-24, God’s word states, “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Our Savior was desirous of giving His disciples respecting the nature and power of prayer, and the necessity of strong faith in God. He therefore stated a very strong case, a miracle–one so great as the removal of a mountain into the sea. And He tells them, that if they exercise a proper faith in God, they might do such things. But His remarks are not to be limited to faith merely in regard to working miracles, for he goes on to say:

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When you pray, you must forgive. Is that required only when a man wishes to work a miracle? There are many other promises in the Bible nearly related to this, and speaking nearly the same language, which have been all disposed of in this way, as referring to the faith employed in miracles. Just as if the faith of miracles was something different from faith in God!

Have faith that God will answer your prayers!
  

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Lord, Teach Us To Pray 

Luke 11:1-13: One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” [2] He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. [3] Give us each day our daily bread. [4] Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ‘ ” [5] Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; [6] a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ [7] And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. [9] “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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Pray, Pray, Pray

Do you have a personal practice for your prayer life?  Do you pray frequent short prayers throughout the day asking, “Lord God, help me to glorify you in what I do now or that I am planning to do next?”  

What about our nation?  We are in a crisis of governance, financial stability, LEADERSHIP, and overall a lack of fundamentals that this country was built on. Why did our forefathers put “in God we Trust” on our money?  Why can’t we understand like they did that we must look to God for guidance?  The political scene and the current direction of where this country is going is disturbing.  Considering God’s will in everything we do is taking into account what God has in store for us. We tend to get very busy with out “to do” lists and what we want without regard to what God might want us to do. 

Think about this Psalm in chapter 115, “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he
does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.  They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield.  House of Aaron, trust in the Lord he is their help and shield.  You who fear him, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield.  The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord—small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore.

Trust in the Lord BUT take into account God’s will in your daily life to insure that His ways are your ways!  

We “the people” must stand up and tell our “political debaters and those that are trying to become our leaders” that we aren’t happy with things and the direction we are moving to. But in all things, “lift up our prayers to God” in doing things His way. 

  

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Teach Me How to Pray

The bible tells us volumes about Jesus when we learn about the prayer life of Jesus. Jesus prayed often. He sought out his Father in times of need. He would slip off and away from the throngs of people to seek God and to talk to the Father. However, his prayers were always put at the feet of the Father with the understanding that he wanted the Father’s will to be done. 

His disciples asked him to teach them to pray as they saw how diligent he was in prayer and they wanted to be just like Jesus. In Matthew, he said, “Matthew 6:5-15, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

In James, we are taught about the power of prayer. James 5:13-16, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

How can we follow Jesus more closely?  Are we learning more about Him daily?  What should our time spent with Jesus be like?  How do we accomplish this amidst our hectic and frantic daily life?  Do you relish spending time in prayer?

How sweet is our time with God in prayer!  This reminds me of the song “Sweet Hout of Prayer”

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care. And bids me at my Father’s throne. Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief. And oft escaped the tempter’s snare. By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share. Of those whose anxious spirits burn. With strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place. Where God my Savior shows His face. And gladly take my station there.  And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear. To Him whose truth and faithfulness. Engage the waiting soul to bless. 

And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share. Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight. 

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise. To seize the everlasting prize. And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!

These lyrics certainly imply having faith and actions because of faith. In Mark 11:22-24, God’s word states, “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Our Savior was desirous of giving His disciples instructions respecting the nature and power of prayer, and the necessity of strong faith in God. He therefore stated a very strong case, a miracle–one so great as the removal of a mountain into the sea. And He tells them, that if they exercise a proper faith in God, they might do such things. But His remarks are not to be limited to faith merely in regard to working miracles, for he goes on to say:
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When you pray, you must forgive. Is that required only when a man wishes to work a miracle? There are many other promises in the Bible nearly related to this, and speaking nearly the same language, which have been all disposed of in this way, as referring to the faith employed in miracles. Just as if the faith of miracles was something different from faith in God!

Have faith that God will answer your prayers!

 

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Sweet Hour of Prayer

My father which is in heaven. Thank you for the sweet hour of prayer that we can have daily with you. Thank you for allowing us to approach your thrown through prayer and through Jesus name.   Amen

It does take a daily effort and it does take time and investment to approach God’s throne through prayer. We need our daily escape. We need to spend time with God. We need to focus our thoughts not only on our daily needs but on the needs of others that we should be concerned about. We should bring the concerns of others to God through prayer so that his power can continue and endure forever. We know that God is aware of our daily needs. But just as Jesus approached to his Father through prayer, we have that same ability as mere mortals to approach the out Father through prayer for our daily concerns.  Think about the lyrics from the song by William Walford. In I Thessalonians 5:17–1 Thessalonians 5:16-18–Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Also, in Revelation 8:4–The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

Pray without ceasing.  can you do that, can you pray continually, can you devote daily time in Sweet Hours to Prayer to God?  

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne. Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, Of those whose anxious spirits burn With strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place. Where God my Savior shows His face, And gladly take my station there, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear. To Him whose truth and faithfulness. Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share, Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight.

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise. To seize the everlasting prize, And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

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A Daily Prayer

Oh Lord my God how awesome is your name. I cannot comprehend the awesomeness of your name. As a human being on this earth, I can see what you have created here on this earth and how you control the universe. I still can’t comprehend your power and your glory that endures forever and ever.

Thank you so much for the Avenue of prayer, the means of trying to stay close to you, the murmurings of my heart and trying to explain how wonderful it is to know you and the struggle to think of how to ask you for the things that hurt me in this daily life. Thank you so much for listening to our prayers.

I want to pray for my friends that are struggling with cancer and other medical conditions. I pray that you will wrap your arms around them and give them peace and comfort and to know that you’re with them. Give them the Holy Spirit to embrace them and to communicate to you as the comforter for their spirit and heart.

I pray for my family and for each of us to become closer to you and to know you more and more every day. I pray for strength to deal with the daily challenges. I pray for my mother that you would continue to care for her as you have in the past.

Help me to become closer to you every day. Give me the strength to reach out to you every day. Help me to try to follow your will as diligently as I can.

Thank you in Jesus name.
Amen

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Prayer to Our Father

Our Father who is in Heaven, the creator of all things, the Heavens, the Earth, and all creation.  May we totally understand the meaning of your name, your most righteous name, your glorious name, the name that is the Master of the Universe.  May your Kingdom come, O Father, in accordance with your plan, as in the master plan for mankind, and the coming of the Heavens you have prepared for all your followers for all of Eternity and may we desire and long for that time.  May your Will be done as in all of Mankind being in submission to you O Father, both in the Heavens, as a place prepared for only your obedient servants, and here on this Earth as all mankind will take note of your supreme power over all earthly things and your power over the entire universe in the ultimate Coming. Give us today our daily bread, that substance being the breath of life we need to fully understand your will for us, O Father. Make it simple for our understanding and our ability to comprehend.  Forgive us our debts, O Father, regarding our failures in following your will for us as fully obedient children as we continually fall short of your most Holy plan. 
Help us to develop the same love you have for us in your unlimited forgiveness and give us a desire to forgive those with that same love for those we see daily. Father, don’t allow us to enter into temptation but rather put the Sword of your word in our minds and stamped on our hearts to continually devote ourselves to only your will and not lose sight of your desires for our heart, our mind, our soul.  But Father, deliver us from the hands of satan and as we hold out your word that you have imprinted on our hearts, help us to always know your will is being fulfilled in the defeat of Satan and his followers.  O Father, for you are the Kingdom, you are the all powerful, you are the Glory, you are the Way, you are the Alpha and Omega, you are forever and forever. Keep me close to you, O Lord!

Amen!