Prayer Agenda

Prayer Agenda
(Matthew 6:5-13) Pattern for praying. (your agenda), Model Prayer. (”When you pray, say . . .” “After this manner, pray . . .”) www.interviewwithjesus.com
WHEN YOU PRAY - If the disciples think they know how to pray, then they wouldn’t ask. They knew their need of prayer. They knew they did not know how to pray and they knew who to ask. “Lord, teach us TO pray.” Do we know how to pray? Can we admit we don’t know how? Who can we ask? Where can we seek and find? “When you pray say . . .” Are we confident that when we pray as Jesus taught? How do you feel about prayer requests? What do you think when you ask someone to pray? Are you as sure, honestly, when someone asks you to pray? When I obey and do my duty to pray and when I express my attitude of Love to “The Father” by my action of praying as He asks me to; my prayer is more than emotional or inspirational feeling, but a faithful action of a child of “Our Father”, being open and obedient, saying what we think and feel is important to the possessions and inheritance the Father has given to the one praying in “OUR” behalf. The priests possessions may include entire Nations, kings, governments, authorities, organizations, schools; or may include individuals named as “Our” family, friends, missionaries and fellowship of believers and their events; knowing that a faithful hand of our Father will take and sift them, keeping that which honors Himself. (Jesus prays for us with the Holy Spirit making intercession) We don’t know how to pray as we ought. We can’t know everything about everyone. Prayer begins at the house of God – YOU!

This is how we pray

“And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certian place, when He ceased, one of the disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And He said to them, when you pray, say, Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in Heaven so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:1-4) Jesus does not need to pray like this; we do. We need to know our real Father and worship Him, asking for His rule and will done in His gifting to us in daily living; to be forgiven, led and delivered from the evil one. Jesus is still interceeding . . . the Lord’s Prayer (John17) including us; “They that shall believe”. Paul also uses the same model of prayer. (Ephesians 3) Lord, performance of public prayers is drama poured out for the hearers. Privately Lord, you look into the heart of the performer. Just you and me Lord. When we are asked to pray publicly, may we say what we have already said privately. Praying the same prayers we’ve said in secret, that others may hear our secret being exposed. “The Father which is in secret, shall reward you openly.” (Mt.6:6) “He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall dwell uder the shadow of the Almighty.” . . . “There shall no evil befall you.” . . . “He shall give His Angels charge over you.” . . . “He shall call upon me, I will be with him in trouble, and honor him.” (Psalm 91:1,10,15) May our prayer be an intimate conversation with you our best friend, Jesus. Oh to love you as much as Our Father does, as you have first loved us. Our need to know to pray as Jesus taught His disciples to pray is the same today. Their need to know how, just like John taught his disciples. What was it in John’s praying that Jesus’ disciples saw that they thought they needed? What was John’s prayer like they desired? Comparing our praying to other saint prayers, would that fulfill our desire to pray? Or, to pray like Jesus taught His disciples to pray? Privately or publicly? Our public life will be transformed if we invest private time with the Almighty. When we have been alone with Jesus, people will know it. Performer, is our walk and talk a performance? “And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the street, that they may be seen of men, truly I tell you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees you in secret will reward you openly. When you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Therefore, don’t be like them; for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him. After this manner therefore you pray: (an outline) Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven, Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.” (Matthew 6:5-13) Pattern for praying. (your agenda), Model Prayer. (”When you pray, say . . .” “After this manner, pray . . .”)

Pray without Ceasing

(Oswald Chambers) “Pray without ceasing”. Childlike habit of prayer in your heart all the time. Think of prayers as breath of the lungs and blood from our hearts. Not conscious of it, but always going on. Prayer is not as an exercise, it is the life. What if daily communication with “Our Father” ceased? Could you live? Moments of intimacy with the Almighty choked out with the urgency of the moment. The presence of God pressed out by the passion of the minute details. Do you care? YES! Caring thoughts of the Love of God has shown in the past is ever present today, we still belong. The very fact of this now moment is proof He is alive and well in your earthsuit on planet earth is A NOW moment, aware of His touch in this time of awareness of whose we are. His seed is not crushed by today’s traffic, even when we have this moment to remember. The hush of these quiet times away from every thing that would shout for attention leaves us with feelings of peace with God. “He shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him.” Rest: “Why are your fearful, O you of little faith.” (Mt.8:26) What happens when bumped by the storms of life? Faith reveals joy to our Father when confidence remains in His care no matter what. “Though they slay me, I will believe.” Provoke our imagination by recollection and affection for you our Father. Our Journal of Prayer. Remembrances of you. Ready to meet you in today’s events that we would miss out on meeting with you. To face you in life circumstances always ready for a surprise visit. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants to make you just like Jesus. (Max Lucado) Yours is the Power, the Kingdom and the Gory, forever. Amen!

Pray

(Oswald Chambers) “Pray without ceasing”. Childlike habit of prayer in your heart all the time. Think of prayers as breath of the lungs and blood from our hearts. Not conscious of it, but always going on. Prayer is not as an exercise, it is the life. What if daily communication with “Our Father” ceased? Could you live? Moments of intimacy with the Almighty choked out with the urgency of the moment. The presence of God pressed out by the passion of the minute details. Do you care? YES! Caring thoughts of the Love of God has shown in the past is ever present today, we still belong. The very fact of this now moment is proof He is alive and well in your earthsuit on planet earth is A NOW moment, aware of His touch in this time of awareness of whose we are. His seed is not crushed by today’s traffic, even when we have this moment to remember. The hush of these quiet times away from every thing that would shout for attention leaves us with feelings of peace with God. “He shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him.” Rest: “Why are your fearful, O you of little faith.” (Mt.8:26) What happens when bumped by the storms of life? Faith reveals joy to our Father when confidence remains in His care no matter what. “Though they slay me, I will believe.” Provoke our imagination by recollection and affection for you our Father. Our Journal of Prayer. Remembrances of you. Ready to meet you in today’s events that we would miss out on meeting with you. To face you in life circumstances always ready for a surprise visit. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants to make you just like Jesus. (Max Lucado) Yours is the Power, the Kingdom and the Gory, forever. Amen!

Time To Pray

Is this a time, (of day, an hour) To Pray? Prayers Answered? “Even so” should Jesus come “Today” find us faithful? Prayer as work – fervency. Jesus sweat as great drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane where He “Offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death” (context: Heb.5:7) Is this something we should know about? Faithful praying admits a nod of the head, straying thoughts, distractions that is strenuous but once in awhile breaks through all that clutter that is boring and confusing into a personal ecstatic experience that lifts you up into a Heavenly realm. Prayer is the labor of love that is worth all the intense intimacy of always praying attitude. Practiced Presence! “Could you not keep watch with me one hour? WATCH and PRAY so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Praise God for those times of intense intimacy with Him. “And satan left Him.” “Continue in prayer, and WATCH in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.” (In you, context: Col.4:2,3) “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God.” . . . “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16) … “As day and night I constantly remember you in my prayers, recalling your tears, longing to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”

Prayer as Evangelism "OUR"

Prayer as evangelism “OUR” “Not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance.” (II Pet.3:9) “OUR” What? Who is the “OUR”? When is the “OUR” Ours? Where is the “OUR”? Why “OUR”. Anyhow? How is the “OUR” possible? THIMK! (misspelled to make you stop and think!) We do not go unnoticed by the God who made universe; we are special to Him, made in His Image. In fact, the Word that made the Heavens and “OUR” world also made us. We are significant to Him. To know, to think, to feel His presence in us is not arrogance, it is the truth. His Word says – Christ is “in me” and I AM in Him.” I remember as a child I would hear my mother say in describing members of our family as our Donald or our Doris, etc. I picked up on that and when talking about a family member I too would often say or Donald or whatever. Why? Was I conditioned by my Mom to say “OUR” that would include me in our family relationship? Later a playmate called me on what I was saying and without thinking about it, I was embarrassed and discontinued using that term, “OUR”, when talking about my brothers and sisters. But now, when talking to “OUR” Father God, I always include them all in praying to “OUR” Father, because of His inclusive inheritance. Jesus’ prayer includes “US” in praying as He taught US To Pray To Say “OUR” Father. The all-inclusive future term WE that “shall believe” from John 17. Lord, in “OUR” journey of prayer, TO PRAY as you ask US To Pray on behalf of those listed here in “OUR” Daily Prayer Journal, WE first recognize the WE are Yours and that You are “OUR” Father. In our Journal we have a string of names that get longer as the years go by. It is not the names (places or events) that we visualize to bring to You this day and at this hour, but the face of who You are in US. Listed here in Your Journal is “OUR” spouse, family, friends and neighbors. We cry out to You in naming OUR Authority in our county, State and Nation, As the list lengthens we find recall to be easier to picture them in Your presence, face to face, belonging to You, as we point out individuals in our request to You on their behalf. We ask that we would be wholly Holy, in our lives as we worship You. Please rule and reign in us to do Your will, ever present within us. Give us today what is necessary for Your Word in us to “BE” all You intended it to “BE”, “OUR” Father. For-give us of hardly noticing when we do it wrong. It is You we want right in us. We take notice of our sin and thank You for forgiveness and cleansing. Lead us far from what would keep us separated from You. May we not have difficulty in living the life of Your Son, Our Savior, all over again by delivering us from the evil one. Lord, teach us TO pray – “How to” – “After this manner” to “Our Father” that’s who to. When we pray “HE” is “Our Father” and we are His. What do we say: “Name that is Hallowed.” “A Kingdom come”. A “Will done”. “To give us”, “Forgive us”, “Lead us”, and “Deliver us”. That’s what! Why we pray – “To be Heavenly on earth, like in Heaven.” Receive a gift of daily bread, forgiveness, escape from temptation and to be delivered from evil. “It’s His Kingdom, power and glory. Where? “On earth as it is in Heaven.”

Should we stop praying?

“OUR FATHER” What is it that gets in the way of your way? Should we stop praying? Do we see a loss of “In Touch” with the Almighty when we discover our mind is blank concerning Him? We are caught up in the details of living that seem to be important enough to squeeze Him out of our thoughts. We get caught up in stuff to do and in memories of old stuff long gone. Why is it keeps coming up again and again? The regurgitated remembrances get in the way of pure excellent thinking and cancel out confessions and commitments. Hasn’t correction been complete? Isn’t it fixed? Schedules and plans compete for attention to who I really “AM” and how I got to “BE”, who “I AM” (like in ’I AM who ‘I AM”). He brought us safely to this point through confusion to confession knowing where we belong and whose we are. We need to maintain the face of God and not muddle up with good intentions (stuff to do). We need to be made fit for God; A Son! Not some sense of duty or idea of what we think a Christian life should look like (appearances). “OUR” aim: “Thy will be done”; knowing when we have a dead set purpose of “BE”ing a disciple and get in the way of HIS purpose. He does the choosing, not us. I AM that I AM, that’s who “I AM”. Let go and let God engineer our goings. Not that I got God and I go, but that He has got me and I go. Resting in the promise “I AM with you always. . .” He was there all the time. Praying in the Spirit, not conscious prayers. “We know not what we should pray as we ought, but He the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” (Rom.8:26) Are we there yet? “HE (the Spirit who lives in you) makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” The Holy Spirit Himself prays in us prayers, which we could never utter. For us it is unthinkable. Lord, how could we pray as you taught us TO PRAY? (Lk.11:1) Can we find that which searches our hearts, to know the prayer of the Holy Spirit? “My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.” “Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?” Conscious of this fact; “What manner of persons ought we TO BE? (our responsibility) To BE or not to BE?. The real question. “OUR” Secret place of prayer? If not; than forgiveness and cleansing, if we confess. (I Jn.1:9) God’s Holy Spirit will look after the unconscious part that we know nothing about. Our discovery is in Jesus! “He must increase and I must decrease.” He is worthy! (The Chamber, Oswald and Dad) Question? Is it the place that is the secret or the prayers? Kept a secret from whom? Is it the dwelling or under the shadow of the Almighty? Is it behind closed eyelids or closed doors?

Teach Us "To Pray".

Teach us “To Pray”.
What is it that quickly gets our attention? Where are we running off to? Distractions, frustrations, lust, greed, fill our days. We are filled with feeding at the trough of self-indulgence, our affections and appetites. Our plates are full of tastes of the world. Look at us now, barns all filled; Solomon was not as arrayed as our grandchildren. From early until late we respond to emergency, the urgent. Duty calls, hungry, angry we meet the challenge of the moment. We arise and go, drawing us away to our own love of what satisfies.
The arousal of emotion that beats in our hearts, feelings that fill us up with what entertains. Surface relationships, short term interests, escapes from reality take us into spaces of happiness based upon happenings. To be honest with ourselves, to get real with where we are headed, being brutal in our assessment of why we do what we do for enjoyment. We want to admit to where real joy is. Believe what is true, clean and decent. Care for what God cares about. “Casting all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.” Where do we go, but to the Lord? Who is the Maker and the Master of our living? These first love thoughts about you, Jesus, makes us blush in confession of whatever separates us. We feel forgiven, cleansed and in your presence, accepted during this secret quiet time place being alone with you. What we ask for ourselves we ask for others who would cry out to you too, knowing you hear us and answer any who ask. This is just who you are; it has very little to do with our asking, it is what you have created us for; to bring glory to your name.

You Have A Prayer!

Do You have a Prayer? (Luke 11:1) “One of His disciples asked Him ‘teach us To Pray.” Was he the only one who felt he needed to know to pray? Did he know how to pray? What was John teaching his disciples to pray that Jesus’ disciple wanted? What did the other disciples know about praying? Did they all have a prayer? Do we have a prayer? Do we have a felt need To Pray? Don’t’ misunderstand the need To Pray from our felt needs. There is a difference if our desire is To Pray as Jesus’ taught His disciples and in asking for needs in particular. “Is any sick among you?” “Ask, Seek, Knock.” “Ask that your joy may be full.” “You have not because you ask not.” “”Ask and you shall receive.” Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Do you see? Our requests are answered in our prayer To Pray as Jesus taught us To Pray. Prayer depends on God being “Our” Father; Those who you pray for and those who shall believe. We are awed by Him working in our lives. Our King! We want Him to come in every situation to rule and reign. That’s why we want to do as He asks us. We wish to be Heavenly! This is the now aspect of our prayer. We want everything to be Heavenly. There is a tendency to be impatient and perfect according to our wishes. Our sense of worth is dependent upon it. We ask to give us today what is necessary for that to be so; to be fed daily from His Word, the bread of life has little to do with our expectancy. That’s why we need His lead to find escape from the troubles and trials of our world. The big “But” is ever present during our time of need. Deliver us from the evil is real. Our source is in His Kingdom in us. “Christ in you, your hope of glory.” He has Authority of the Almighty power to have it happen and it gives Him glory to do it just the way He planned it. It may take forever! So, do we pray as we ought? It is all about Him! We do have a prayer. Jesus asks His disciples to “Watch and Pray.”

Lengthy Prayer Lists

Written logs, journals, reminders of lengthy lists. “Out of sight, out of mind.” Absence (does not) make the heart grow fonder. Did you ever forget someone or fail to remember them in prayer, (you never crossed them off the list) and then all of a sudden, the Lord brings them back into your life? Separated small group rejoined. (ie: reunions, contacts, thoughts, etc.) What do you do now with old family of friends? A mind fixed on Our Father – He will automatically cause the remembrance. A desire to pray as you did before during the times of intimacy of relationship at the time of involvement (family, extended family, schoolmates, neighbors, co-workers) has not changed. Your desire to pray as you did then is renewed because of the earlier memory. There is a similar desire as before for Godly action and intervention on their behalf. There is a sense of shame in that past misrepresentation of God at work in lifestyle being unresolved in time of correction. You really meant God’s best for them then and now, except for that sin that ruined any response to answer that call to prayer. (ie: spousal coming together after times of separation) Another function comes into play when meeting old friends once prayed for. In addition to sometimes warm greeting there is inspiration to Holy boldness even with old wounds that asserts a desire for Godly intervention

Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (C.S. Lewis, notes)

“The increasing list of people (places & events) to be prayed for is, nevertheless, one of the burdens of old age. I have a scruple about crossing anyone off the list. When I say a scruple. I mean precisely a scruple. I don’t think that if one prays for a man at all it is a duty to pray for him all my life. But when it comes to dropping him now, this particular day, it somehow goes against the grain. And as the list lengthens, it is hard to make it more than just a string of names. But herein to some measure – a curious law comes into play. Don’t you find that, if you keep your mind fixed upon God, you will automatically think of the person you are praying for; but that there is no tendency for it to work the other way around?” Sometimes there may not even be a name of reference, as in this lengthy journal listing, only a mental picture of that person from memory, or a place or a event request. I don’t think this is what Lewis refers to in “wordless” praying. However avoiding names and substituting mental images. “is best.” Ready made prayers, keep in touch with sound doctrine, reminds one of “what to ask” (especially for others), keeps urgent in perspective with necessities, provides ceremony (agenda), corrective one sided view, reverence. A good reason for a secret place, journey in a Journal of Prayer. (R.C.)

Do we pray - NEVERTHELESS?

Why is it fear of failure in praying when foolish sinful thoughts enter our mind? Eyelids get heavy? Our desire is for pure excellent thinking and up pops impure thoughts? We drive it out so it will not nest there. IT takes – ‘NEVER-THE-LESS” · In praying this prayer · Being faithful · Claiming victory and deliverance from the evil one · Intimacy with the Almighty · Lord, Being our Master. “WATCH AND PRAY THAT YOU ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION. THE SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK.” The desperate cry out! (Spiritual Sweat and tears) “Jesus cried out with tears to Him who is able to save Him from death.” (Heb.5:7) Watch and Wait – “One Hour?”

Watch and Wait with me

Watch and Wait – “One Hour?” Redemption is Key to intercession – Reason behind His affliction: Resurrection. If Jesus’ only prayer was that He should not have to go through the cross, and if that prayer were answered; where would we be? Would we still be lost in our sins with no hope? Do we see answers to prayer when we pray – NEVERTHELESS?
Answers to Our Lord Jesus’ prayer: Alone in the Garden Disciples abandon Him Peter denies Him They crucify Him. No that is not what He prayed to avoid. Sure those things did happen. (He knew and yet did not pray about what was to happen to Him and His disciples) His prayer was: “Thy will be done” not “Let this cup pass from me; (struggle) “NEVERTHELESS” Three times “Your will be done” Your will be done in us as it is done in Heaven. And Give us this day what we need for that to be done; to live the life of your Son, Our Savior, all over again in these bodies of ours by being Lord and Master of all we do and say, so that Your name may be Hallowed. Apparent answers to prayer require: “NEVERTHELESS” in: “Your will be done”, When we think it is not being done; “Lead Us”, and we think we are in control of ourselves. We would rather do it our self. We been college and got knowledge and can handle it our self. “Deliver Us”, and it seems Evil forces are growing; we ask forgiveness and ask repulsive to others who do exactly the same sins we are guilty of. Where is that Godly Love? When is His name “Hallowed” in us, or Christ in charge of our lives when we ask Him to be our King? Are our needs met when wee ask Him to “Give Us This Day?”

PRAYER IS RELATIONSHIP!

It’s an ongoing conversation between you and me - two people who want to get to know each other better. Sure, I don’t mind you asking for things, Daddies like that. They just don’t want to be all about responding to requests. I want you to talk to me about what you love and what you hate. I want you to thank Me for the things I do for you and ask Me what I want for you. I want you to forgive Me and hear Me when I forgive you. When you don’t get what you want, I understand your anger and frustration. But I want you to know Me well enough that you come to Me and say how angry you are, and you can hear Me say, “I know, and I love you. And even though you are angry now, I AM doing what is best for you because you are My child. I can’t help by want the best for you.” I want your prayer times to be times when you sense my love AND experience My joy. I want to reach out into the cell structure and electric impulses going on in your incredible mind that I made for you, and I want you to walk away at times knowing exactly what I have said. And at times, I want you to walk away and have no idea what I have in mind for you. That way, you can trust Me and talk to Me all day and all week and all you life. I don’t want prayer to be just those times you get alone and spend a few minutes or a few hours. I wish for it to be CONSTANT in your life. I want you to feel and know that I AM walking with you every second. And because I AM there, you can’t help but notice and chat about almost every little thing that crosses your path. And there will be times, because of who you are BECOMING and because of who I AM, that you will go to your closet or your room or your bed, and you will cry out and I will answer; And My touch will make your insides shake and your heart pound and tears flow uncontrollably. And you will lie there in awe and be speechless because you KNOW I AM there. After you’ve experienced those times with Me, our relationship will never be the same. We will meet on a different plane, and we will walk, and we will talk, and your petitions will be fewer, and your praises will be greater; And it won’t matter so much to you anymore that it rains or it doesn’t . . . and Christmas will be tomorrow every day.

Desire To Pray!

Father, does our prayer revolve around behavior? Does it have a lot to do with what I do? Is it in what I see others are doing? Do I pray what I am seeing, what I judge? I am aware of all that goes on around me, all day long. I am looking for you. What is it with my spouse and our kids? As I approach you I am guessing what is going on with my neighbors, here at home in our country and those in other nations. My honest guess is it has more to do with what I think than you dear Lord. My mind is full of words, chosen by what I believe. The shift of focus from who you are and what you are doing in our world, or it seems, not doing what I think should be done, gets back to me and my worldview, rather than not seeing you at work and those whom we’ve been talking to you about. Evil exists, sickness persists, the poor are still poor, ignorant still do not want to know anything. Why so much hate? Can’t we see you, instead of avoiding you? I confess I need you more than they. It is not they that need you to master our living, it is I, myself. Oh, Holy Spirit, keep us awake and aware of your presence in those around us who we may touch. Surround us with your love and forgiveness. May we not rub each other the wrong way, that would make us bristle, but help us to see you alive and well on planet earth in others today. I spy, I am looking for you! To draw our attention away from you Lord, to focus on our self and our needs, takes away from the face-to-face devotion we desire when we come to you. Intimate contact with the Almighty is the awesome place we want, being near you. Anything that would distract us from that is less than perfect. A mind fixed on you is the closeness you desire of us. You said, “If we would draw near to you, you would be near to us.”. This bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, ABBA, Papa, daddy; the nearness of you, radiates warmth, a desire to love you, your touch, to cling, to grasp, to hug, to hang unto you seeing you face to face, not in our boldness to rush in where a Angels fear to tread, but like the Angels, welcomed in your presence, to worship in the joy of praise, offering thanksgiving of gratitude just being in your family, for all you’ve done to allow us to be near you, God of creation, who made us to know you. Father, we love you, we worship and adore you, Glorify your name in all the earth; Glorify your name, glorify your name, glorify your name in all the earth.

"OUR" Heart's Cry

Lord, your disciple wants to know how we can talk to you. Are we to pray like others pray? Like someone “crying in the wilderness”, looking to find you, knowing you are coming? (read in context of Luke 11). Crying out loud in repentance to be prepared for the “Way of the Lord.” Do we look to you or should we be looking for someone else? You seem to fit all we need. Yes, Our need “TO PRAY” (as we ought). The discipline of intimate words with you Jesus. Surely you know we need you, desperate to know you, to speak, to love, to show and tell, to shower you with all our desire. Our desire is “TO PRAY” as you teach your disciple “TO PRAY”. We admit our need of confidence in approaching “OUR FATHER”. Other disciples seem to have it all together when addressing you, but we are not as sure of ourselves, so we ask you, because we know you came out of “OUR FATHER” and always do as He asks. We desire to pray as you pray. Our brokenness is in not knowing our position in prayer. Not necessarily to kneel, with hand raised, or to cry out loud, etc., but in our approaching you. Is it in our mind to agree with what our heart is telling us, we belong to you? Your Holy Spirit says we are yours and you are “OURS”, in constant conversation with “That still small voice” telling us, yes! It is you, Lord Jesus, you to whom we are praying to. To Pray - to say - “OUR FATHER”, as you know we know, our need to belong. You never, ever, leave or forsake us. You enter our very “BE”ing when we call out to you. Help us continue before our prayers evaporate into the day. This time meeting with you, bottle up the essence, “The sweet smelling savor” of our prayers and keeping a lid on them even when we can’t recall, so that they remain where we intended them to stay, in your presence.

"ASK, SEEK, KNOCK"

To “ASK” is to question? WHO – “OUR”? “FATHER”? “ART? WHAT – “HALLOWED”? “BE”? “THY NAME”? WHEN – “KINGDOM COME”? “WILL DONE”? “THIS DAY”? “DAILY”? WHERE – “IN US AS IN HEAVEN”? WHY – “THINE IS THE POWER AND GLORY”? HOW – “GIVE US”? “FORGIVE US”? “LEAD US”? “DELIVER US”?
Were there no God, we would be in this world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank.” (Christine RTossetti 1830-1894) “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. (how sad) (Ezekiel 23:30) “What, could you not watch with me one hour?” Jesus leaves the disciples asleep. “And He spoke a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray, and not faint; saying there was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city and she came unto him, saying, avenge me my adversary. And he would not for awhile; but afterwards he said within himself, though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me, and the Lord said, hear what the unjust judge says, and shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry out day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily, nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Lk.18:1-8) “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Tim.2:1-5) “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have opportunity let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household faith.” (Gal.6:9,10) “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph.6:18) “Pray without ceasing.” I Thess.5:17) “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” (Eph.1:16) “And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truthfully, I truly say unto you, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you. Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ASK, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (Jn.16:23,24) ASK SEEK KNOCK “And I say unto you, ASK, and it shall be given you; SEEK, and you will find; KNOCK, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” (Lk.11:9,10)

Mandate To Pray

The apostles said, “We will give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” Their ministry was powerful for that reason. On the day of Pentecost, three thousand were converted under the preaching of the Word in the same city where Christ was crucified less than two months earlier. Ten days of prayer prepared for that great day of harvest Fulfilling the mandate – (Bill Gothard)
1. SUPPLICATIONS
WE (“OUR” Nation, neighbors, Church, home, school, world)
WE begin our appeal to a Holy God with recognition that
WE have broken His laws, defied His Authority, and blasphemed His name.
WE are deserving of nothing but His swift judgment. Explained in Deuteronomy 28.
His final and most severe judgment is the breakup of the family so that there is separation between husbands and wives, children and parents, grandparents and grandchildren. Unwise leaders, calamities, diseases and debt are also judgments of God upon a community and Nation. God promises that if WE humble OURselves, turn from OUR wicked ways, confess OUR sins, and seek His face, He will hear OUR Prayers and heal OUR land. (See II Chronicles 7:14)
A Prayer of Supplication (Daniel 9:17-19)
2. PRAYERS (As He taught US To Pray – His say so!)
· Prayer is asking God to fulfill His Word and will, not our selfish desires. (See James 4:3)
· A “burden” is signal that God is waiting to fulfill a specific prayer. (see Nehemiah 1)
· “Effectual” prayer is the Holy Spirit praying Scripture through US to God. (See Romans 8:27)
· Prayer is answered immediately; a process of seeking and finding may follow. (See Matthew 7:7)
· When two agree in faith and pray, God breaks the power of satan. (See Matthew 18:19)
3. INTERCESSIONS
· Intercession is breaking satan’s influence in another persons life. (See Luke 22:3,32)
· Intercession is placing a “hedge of protection” around a Godly person’s life. (See Job1:10)
· Intercession is placing a “hedge of thorns” around a rebellious person’s life. (See Hosea 2:6)
· Intercession is required by God. (See I Samuel 12:23)
· Intercession protects from common pitfalls. To be continued – Ten Dangers That Cause Leaders to Fail.
4. THANKSGIVING
· For the power of the names of Jehovah.
· For God, the Father of OUR Lord Jesus Christ.
· For Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for US.
· For the Holy Spirit, Who convict, teaches and guides.
· For the wisdom of God and His laws.
· For mercy, grace and Holiness of God.
· For patience and long suffering of God.
· For peace that comes under wise leadership.
· For family, church, government, employer.
· For civil leaders as “ministers of God for good.”
· For protection of law enforcement officers.
· For Spiritual care from church leaders.
· For diligence of company founders.
· For public utilities and community order.

Make Requests Known

As a child, C. S. Lewis enjoyed reading the books of E. Nesbit, especially Five Children and It. In this book, brothers and sisters on a summer holiday discover an ancient sand fairy who grants them one wish each day. But every wish brings the children more trouble than happiness because they can’t foresee the results of getting everything they ask for. The Bible tells us to make our requests known to God (Philippians 4:6). But prayer is much more than telling God what we want Him to do for us. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He began by reminding them, “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). What we call “The Lord’s Prayer” is more about living in a growing, trusting relationship with our heavenly Father than about getting what we want from Him. As we grow in faith, our prayers will become less of a wish list and more of an intimate conversation with the Lord. Toward the end of his life, C. S. Lewis wrote, “If God had granted all the silly prayers I’ve made in my life, where should I be now?”
Prayer is placing ourselves in the presence of God to receive from Him what we really need. —David McCasland We grasp but a thread of the garment of prayer;We reel at the thought of His infinite care;We cannot conceive of a God who will say:“Be careful for nothing; in everything pray.” —FarrellOur highest privilege is to talk to God; our highest duty is to listen to Him

Love Letter

Love Letter
If we are to have the same mind of Christ, "let this mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus," then what did He mean when He said we were to pray like this: "Our Father"? What does He have in mind for us to pray as He taught His followers.
Jesus says we may say "OUR FATHER", in fact To Pray that based upon His own Sonship. We are also included when we say in confidence of that fact, He is who He says He is, and has included us in His relationship with Our Father.
"Be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray." (I Pet.4:7b)
Dear Lord Jesus,
I have never written a Love Letter to you. What can I say? It is You who have Loved me from the start. Your Spirit came into me the moment I trusted You as my Savior. You are such a comfort to me, never to leave me, always there helping me. Yes, sure your Holy Spirit corrects me, mostly from your Word when I need it. I thank you for forgiving me when I hurt You with my actions. You never forsake me. You never hide your face from me. It's me who buries their face in our hands in shame. You give me confidence to come to You just as I AM because of Your forgiveness; sin is forgotten, removed, hid and buried making me as a son of "Our Father". It is because You choose to Love me this way. I Love You Jesus for giving me a right to be a part of the family of God. We are Pure and clean, a Holy person in Your presence. That is how You make me feel when I AM with You. I want to be all Yours, I need you to help me serve You. I want to know more about You each day Lord Jesus.
Why is it I fail so often? Is it because of others around me do not see You as I do, to recognize that You are in me. Or is it their criticism gets to me and I feel like a failure? They always say negative things about us. They seem to never be aware of any virtue or positive traits in our relationship. Maybe that is why I need more of You, to feel Your presence and encouragement with Your Words to me. They come all day long from a song or spoken and written words of Your Love for me. The World including member of my own family can't recognize You and would shut you out. But when I AM with You. It brings me acceptance and comfort to know that I AM Loved by You. Thank You Jesus! You are always working on me, wanting to change me for the better. The way You would like to see me. Sometimes I hurts me when I fail to see You leading me or am too busy doing my on thing and winding up in a jam. Help me to be more careful in watching and waiting for You to come to me, to pay attention to You.
I Love You Lord Jesus because you first Loved me.
I Adore You! Thank You, Your Bride.

Blog God?

What do you say? BLOG GOD A site where your prayer matters. "Stored up!" More than anything else our Father wants to communicate with us. Prayer is the catch-all term for the forums where this takes place. Talk, but listen too. Tell Him you are listening. Ask Him to help your proficiency at recognizing His voice. Look for Him in His word. In your heart, discuss His will with Him as you read, listen, and pray. Pursue His lead. Hope in Him. He says He will never leave you and that there is not a place so remote that He will not join you. He will meet you anytime, anywhere, regarding any subject. Think of interacting with Him as you would your closest, dearest friend. After all, He also says He is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. "May my prayer be set before you like incense." (Ps.141:1,2) I Love your Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, O my soul rejoice, Take joy my King, in what you hear, may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear. "Don’t you know you are a temple of the Holy Spirit?" "His house shall be called a house of prayer." "And he took the scroll, the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each with a harp and golden vial filled with incense - the prayers of God’s people!" (Rev.5:8) "A sweet smelling savor." A sense of what Jesus has done in providing forgiveness. "We are to God the fragrance of Christ." (II Cor.2:15) "He was bruised for our iniquities." My sin, O my sin, my Savior is laid upon you, to be crushed for me. "Myrrh" (separated for royalty) "Frankincense" (pure Holiness) for His bride, the church. Our essence of "BE"ing - Incense - savor - fragrance (crushed spice) sweet confession, Godly sorrow for sin . . . "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner." "Against you and you only have I sinned." ". . . leads to repentance unto salvation." "Likewise the Spirit also helps our infimities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. And He that searches the heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Rom.8:26,27)

PRAYER

PRAYER - Preston Gillham
Prayer takes many forms, just as normal communication does. While the subjects of my routine prayer times tend to be rather random and far ranging, my morning prayer is ritualistic by design. It is important for me to make a determination to depend upon and trust Father–regardless.
There have also been times in my life when my prayer life benefited from a formula. The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6 provides a model I have appreciated. It begins, "Our Father who art in Heaven." This is a great opener. It reminds us who we are addressing and how He prefers to be addressed. True, He is God, but Jesus set the precedent for us when He called God, "Father."
The next line, "Hallowed be Thy name," is a guide reminding us that Father appreciates hearing our compliments and recognition that He truly is a magnificent individual. To be candid, I like hearing the same sort of thing from those around me. Why would Father–in whose image we are created–not appreciate hearing our celebration of who He is?
"Thy kingdom come. / Thy will be done, / On earth as it is in heaven," reads verse ten. This is the opportunity to respond to who Father is with your hopeful desire that His reign will extend into all areas of your life. In this you declare your allegiance to Him. "Father, please reign over my world, but more personally, please reign in my life today."
When Jesus modeled in prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread," He was leading us to understand that our Father is the one who cares for us. We do not care for ourselves or meet our own needs. What are the issues before you? What are your concerns? What is on your mind? Discuss these matters with Father.
When reciting the model prayer orally in a group, unless the group recites these verses together regularly, then a third of the folks say "trespasses," a third say "debts," and a third mumble not knowing what to say. Either way, this is the point at which we talk with Father about the matters that plague us with failure. Of course, Jesus was modeling this prayer prior to the accomplishment of our forgiveness through His sacrifice, but there is always benefit in understanding our shortcomings and owning them. "Father, I failed to act as the person you have declared me to be. I’m sorry."
Our enemy, the devil, is alive and well. While we live in a sensory world, the real world is spiritual, and it is a dangerous, world at war. "Deliver us from evil," Jesus prayed. In other words, call upon Father to protect you, to guard your heart, to watch over you, and help you rest in your security in Christ.
"For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever." Circumstantially, it appears to be bad for the home team. By voicing His confidence in Father’s authority, Christ modeled His hope in the One who is all powerful. He then sealed His prayer with finality, "Amen."

To Pray

To Pray takes discipline. It was one of the disciples who’s rush to ask Jesus to teach “US” “TO PRAY”. We need to pray, but how? His asking for us tells of our need and our desire to pray.
1. Admit our need to pray, like Jesus. Do we really know how? What is lacking? Are we confident our prayer gets any higher than the ceiling? Does this secret place to pray fulfill our need of intimacy with Our Father?
2. Our Spiritual “BE”ing made Holy in His presence is what we ask. What rewards do we see in openly expressing what you have already said in private when asked to make it public? Do we come out of our closet to make known what is practiced in private?
3. We pray to “Our Father’. we “Hallow His name”, “His Kingdom comes”, “His will Done”, He “Gives us”, Forgives us”, Leads us’, and “Delivers us”.
It is all about Him! It is His life in us that gives Him glory.

Answers to "OUR" Prayer Journal

Make a list of all the good things He gives us this day. Answers to prayer for the “OUR” listed in our daily journal. That may include entire Nations; “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all Nations.”
It seems to me to practice His presence, rely on Him, trusting Him, “BE”ing aware of His Word at work in you; you cannot be distracted with a busy mind on trivial tasks or interests that take you away from His presence. One does not have to be a monk to avoid being sidelined. To “Let this mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus” Doing the Father’s will, Hallowing His name, rule and reign in whose image you really exist; your true identity!
Remember Jesus – “I always do what the Father does.” “I must be about my Fathers house” (business, not just carpentry at twelve years old) Think! What is it that gets in the way of that? Engrossed in a book of fiction? Involved in a game of chance? What is on your mind bigger than life? His life? Where are our discussions leading? Can you be doing “whatever”; And not setting your mind on Him with your whole self being immersed in the subject at hand? Not being double minded, doing several things at once. Weighed in the balance and found wanting. “A mind fixed on Him.”
“BE”ing “DO”ing His thoughts Busy thoughts (while you) (focused) Bake a cake Read a novel Drive a car Play a game Shopping Watch a movie Pay bills Make plans Invest time Spend time
“To be or not to be is the question.”
Did you ever read a novel so good that you became engrossed in the story; you became a part of it and were oblivious to your surroundings? Is that the time you are not filled with His thoughts, but the thoughts of the fiction writer? Entertained, Lord, forgive us and thank you for deliverance back to your realm of reality, Holy and clean. Reform us into your imagination; immerse us into the image of your Son.
(children sing) “O be careful little eyes what you see” “O be careful little eyes what you see” “For the Father up above is looking down in Love” “O be careful little eyes what you see” Ears – hear, Hands – do, Feet – go, Tongue – say, etc.

“OUR” LORD’S DAILY PRAYER JOURNAL
What if Oprah had you on the book of the month club with your prayer journal and were asked to illustrate any effect the fervency of your daily meditation with the Almighty has made on your constant elite ideas and writing influenced?
Most of her books deal in novel fiction for the touchy feely crowd. Made them laugh or cry. You read their books and say “that’s right”; “that’s the way it is”, or “isn’t that wonderful”?, “She’s beautiful”, wishing that would be your experience. But now in your daily prayer journal you experience personal presence with the Almighty and what He is doing in your life that is real episodes poured out like fragrant, crushed spice. Much more different than fictitious romance novels is the quest for good fiction from a Christian worldview.
Could you say that over the years much availability in pursuit of private prayer time mattered? Practiced presence with the Almighty made any difference? How?
Your answer:
1. Personal effect in maintaining relationships with God and others you are praying for with commitments to them; “Our Father”, our spouse, our family, friends and neighbors. With response with what is happening in our Nation and around the world.
2. Effecting attitudes toward the Almighty and how you live out His life in what you do and say you will do. Our very “BE”ing. In essence, our existence.
3. In thinking, motivation to moral excellence and open to admit differences; pure, lovely, good virtues, praiseworthy thoughts.
One more thing; that the daily crushing in confession of who you admittedly pretend to “BE”, produces like spice fragrantly arising in a sweet aroma to God’s throne room and stays there. Our prayers do not evaporate. That’s why we wait and watch. Answers do come.

OUR PRAYER JOURNAL

We are an answer to Jesus’ prayer! When we say. . . “Our Father.”
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa.55:8,9)
Therefore: Do we understand our answers too our prayers the way we think? We didn’t even pray as we ought. (how, why or should)
Nevertheless: Thy will be done – is it? Thy Kingdom come – has it? A Hallowed name – where? Give us – greed and need met? Forgive us – is guilt gone? Lead us – are we in trouble? Deliver us – can you stop sinning? Should we continue this prayer? Is it worthwhile to pray? Does prayer our way depend on what we ask or think is successful in our praying?
Do we fear failure in praying? Should we look for answers to our prayers according to the way we think and feel? As we understand it; our way and our thoughts? Who else could answer our prayers? Are we really and answer to prayer? As Jesus prays for us?
Do we see “US” in answer to “OUR” prayer? Does Faithfulness = Faith?