From Rita:
To me, prayer is a way of life rather than an activity which has to be repeated on a particular time in a specific style.
1Thessalonians5:17, “Pray continually.” As I breath continually, I am expected to pray.
Psalm 119:175, "Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me." May the psalmist's prayer be our prayer.
P Prayer is partnership delivering God’s message of salvation
to the ends of the earth. 1 Cor. 3:9
R Prayer is relating(relationship) to God as my heavenly
father. Matthew 6:9
A Prayer is agreeing with God. Matthew 18:19
Y Prayer is yoke bearing. James 5:13-16
E Prayer is exposing my innermost being to God. Matthew 6:5,6
R Prayer is resisting the devil. Luke 22:40
These are just a few things which explains prayer to me.
The Bible is full of meanings of prayer.
Will each of you take time and complete the following sentence with at least 5 different words or phrases.
Prayer is _______________________.
Please go through Jesus’ prayer in John 17:15 and the lives of your favorite Bible characters and discover the treasure hidden in each of the passages.
If each one of us puts our thoughts together, I am sure we will have a very special document on Prayer by the end of this year.
Lets join together to explore the wonder of prayer.
Feel free to share your thoughts.
With every blessing in Christ,
Rita James
5 comments:
Prayer is the recognition that I'm not in control but God is.
Hidden treasures from the Bible on Prayer
Prayer is:
Courageous
Worship
Acknowledgement of who God is
Stopping, dropping and kneeling
Sensitive to opportunities
Being present with God
Reminding God of his promises
Revelation
An awareness builder
Intimate conversation
Personal
Being still
Faith in action
A call for obedience
Examples from the Bible:
Ruth 1:16-17 - “your God will be my God” – Faith in action, sensitive to opportunities, courageous
Luke 10:38-40 – Mary sitting at Jesus feet, having a relationship, taking time, being still
I Chronicles 4:10 – Prayer of Jabez
I Chronicles17:16 – David, sitting before the Lord, being present with God, having an intimate conversation, reminding God of his promises
Matthew 6:5-8 – Teaching on prayer - prayer is private, but prayer is also corporate; a picture of the heart.
Prayer is being honest before God.
Submitted by a Partners’ headquarters prayer group comprised of Elise Forman, Linda Karalfa, Lisa Moore, and Nancy Bentz
Rita's Response from India:
Dear Nancy,Cathy, Linda and Elise,
So good to hear your thoughts on Prayer. Let’s keep digging deep in the world of God and we will discover many treasures. Appreciate your fellowship in the gospel.
With every blessing in Christ.
Rita
This is in response to Rita's request on prayer, which is a very good plan. Neither it's need or it's effect can be over emphasized.
1. Prayer is getting intimate with God.
2. Prayer is vitamin for spiritual nourishment.
3. Prayer is the access road to the throne room of grace.
4. Prayer is the key that unlocks heavens doors.
5. Prayer is a magnet to God's favour. (attracts)
The Mind of Christ – is so great that we have to spend prayerfully all our life to understand His mind.
In 17th chapter of John we learn that we should pray and plead with God for ourselves and also for others
with equal enthusiasm, if not more.
My father-in-law (Bishop Bunyan Joseph) even at the age of 93 always had a long list of prayer requests
of others written on a paper. He will start praying at 3am or 3.30am on his knees, with the list of requests
that others asked him to pray for in front of him. When he comes to know that an item on the list is answered,
he will strike off that item and also share with us his happiness over God’s ways of answering prayers.
God, as we know, may not answer immediately. Some times God will not remove the mountain in front of us
even after praying, but he will hold our hand and help us to cross the mountain safely and easily.
God’s ways of answering prayers we learn right from Abraham, Daniel, and David to St. Paul, or Dorcas or Lydia.
The more we read about the prayer warriors and their faith; we understand more about God’s ways of answering
our prayers.
I thank Mrs. Rita James for leading us deep into this subject “Prayer” which is the life of a God’s child.
Prayer is essential, especially in modern life to fight fear and doubt.
God bless you all in all.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Mary Vijayam
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