40 Days of Prayer – Acknowledgement and Gratitude

Do you have a pattern to your prayers? Jesus gave us the best possible scheme for talking to the Father through the Model Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.  Notice the first sentence carefully. “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Day 5 – As you pray will you acknowledge God’s greatness?
What do you notice? Before we intercede, petition, cry or say anything else we must first acknowledge the one to whom we speak.  I find that no matter what state of mind I am in when I first verbalize how grateful I am that God is sovereign I feel a greater sense of propriety to my prayer.  It is not about me, and even at my core when I am hurting and want comfort there must first be a word of gratitude to the Father.  For over three years now when I begin my prayers in the morning I begin with a line from a poem by e.e. cummings:  “I thank you God for most this amazing day”.  Put your focus first on Him and be amazed at how your heart grows.

Re: Verse reading–Luke 5:12-26.

40 Days of Prayer – For people to be saved

However you imagine the balance between sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man, whether Calvinist or Armenian, one thing is certain.  Prayer is powerful with God,  powerful in the salvation of those who separated from God and empty of eternal LIFE.

Day 4 – Will you pray for People to be saved?
“My heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” says Paul in Romans 10:1.  Jesus saw the same opportunity.  “Beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”  (Matthew 9:38)  Apparently, the prayers of the people of God have a huge effect on the “divine opportunities” that come our way.  A prepared witness + an open heart = faith = salvation!    So, will you?  Will you TAKE 5 MINUTES to pray for people who do not “see” the spiritual realities of this universe?  Linger here.  Pray for the Lord to send you into the harvest.  “What man among you, if he has 100 sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the 99 and go after the one which is lost?  (Jesus – Luke 15:4)  Will you pray?

Re: Verse reading – Luke 5:12-26.  (First day, new series of studies in the book of Luke)

40 Days of Prayer – Repentance and Renewal

People who pray (thank you for being one of this number) must face sin.  Must understand it.  Must appreciate the non-negotiable position of a holy God toward it.  Christianity is not soft.  It does not allow spiritual avoidance.

Day 3 –Will you pray toward repentance and renewal?
Three times when the Lord was teaching us to pray He focused attention on sin.  Forgive us. (the guilt of it)  Lead us not into temptation. (the courage and daily choices required of us)  Deliver us from Evil.  (the power of it)  Great promises are given to those who will walk this pure path.  “If we confess OUR sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.”  (1 John 1:9)  “Repent and return, so that YOUR sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”  (Acts 3:19)  Most people do not see this need. . .a holy God, quenched and silenced  by our sin.  Will you TAKE 5 MINUTES and ask Him to open your eyes and start your journey of repentance?   “If my people. . .

Re: Verse reading – 2 Peter 1:16-3:18.  Rain or shine, I will see you in church in a few hours!

40 Days of Prayer – Your Pastor(s)

We have begun a 40 day journey together.  Hundreds of us.  Focusing our prayers.  Asking God with united voice.  Welcome to these days.  I believe God will bless us.

Day 2 – Will  you pray for your Pastor(s)?
He has no small task.  To speak God’s word.  To guide God’s people.  Leading a church, developing a staff, casting vision, teaching scripture, enlisting leaders, offering counsel.  Pastor’s often find themselves asking Paul’s question, “Who is adequate for this task?” (2 Corinthians 2:16)  The answer is obvious.  God.  Only God is adequate for this task.  Unless the people of God pray for the Spirit of God to fill their leaders, failure is certain.  So, today, will you?  Will you TAKE 5 MINUTES and hold your Pastor(s) before the Lord?  Be still and determined.  Wait for the Spirit to lead your thoughts.  “And pray on my behalf”, said Paul in Ephesians 6:19.  God’s love is to send leaders.  Our love is to pray for them.

Re: Verse reading – 2 Peter 1:16-3:18  Great study!  Look forward to seeing you tomorrow (Sunday)

 

40 Days of Prayer – The President

Normal Christian behavior!  It is ignored by many, but still God’s plan for the church.  “My house shall be called a house of prayer.”  Will you join me?  Starting this morning, and ending on New Year’s Day, hundreds of members and friends of FBC will unite our prayers.  40 days of “agreeing together”.

Day 1 – Will  you pray for THE PRESIDENT?
Much repenting to do here.  We pray for the President, not because we like him or because we don’t, but because we believe that He (in the operation of his office) is part of God’s plan for the world.  No nation is closer to God by disrespecting those who are in authority.  Even when our conscience demands “civil disobedience” it will be bathed in prayer.  Read 1 Timothy 2:1-3.  Then TAKE 5 MINUTES  and hold the name Barack Obama before the throne of grace!  Linger longer if the Spirit gives you encouragement. The real battle in this world in won in prayer.  Send this blog to your children and friends!  Invite them to join. Blog what the Lord teaches you in prayer.  We want to hear from you.   The next 40 days are going to be a blessing.

Re: Verse reading this week. . .2 Peter 1:16-3:18.  I will look for you on Sunday!

False Teachers

Re: Verse reading–2 Peter 1:16-21; 2:1-3; 3:1-18 (day four)
How relevant is Scripture?  As we read Peter, it is as if we are reading the daily news.  2:1 says, “False prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.”  We do not have to look very far to see the truth of this statement!  Peter says they will secretly introduce their heresies…that means they are deceptive…catching us unaware (Satan is the father of lies.).  We find false teachers in pulpits, on the radio, on the TV, writing popular books, and anywhere they can gain influence for profit.  Peter exhorts us to remember the whole picture…to remember the truth we have been taught, to encourage one another to stand firm in truth.  Scripture is our guide and discernment from the Holy Spirit is our tool.  Verse 17 says, “be on your guard, lest you fall from your own steadfastness.” Hold fast to the truth of God’s Word!

History

Re: Verse reading– 2 Peter 1:16-3:18 (day three)
“We were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”  The Transfiguration of Jesus heralded the reality of God’s life-giving work in the world; the resurrection confirmed it.  The fact that Jesus’s resurrection is a non-reproducible event confuses historical method with scientific method.  Indeed, for anyone who cares to take the time to look into the matter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is verifiable by every stringent standard that establishes all accepted accounts of human history.  It’s not history that stands in the way of belief.  Once again, it is the will that refuses—or agrees—to bend.

Light Shining in Darkness

Re: Verse reading–2 Peter 1:16-21; 2:1-3; 3:1-18 (day two)
“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” I am drawn to words and how people use them.  Whether Peter intended it or not these verses border on poetry.  What strikes me most is the image that is created as you read them.  Look at the descriptive words used: light shining, dark, dawns, morning star rises.  Any good poet seeks to create for you a picture that will become concrete.  Now look at the context.  What could Peter possibly be talking about with such creative language?  The Word.  He was witness to the life of Jesus, but he also knows that many who read his words will only have these stories.  How important, then, are these stories?  They contain life, truth, and hope.  We must continue to read them, discuss them, hide them in our hearts so that the Light will continue to overcome our own darkness and the darkness in the world.

Peter’s advantage and ours

Re: Verse reading–2 Peter 1:16-21; 2:1-3; 3:1-18 (day one)
“We were eyewitnesses of His majesty. . .we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it” (v 2:16,19)  Peter believes that a vision of the glory and coming of Christ is necessary for every believer.  “For the JOY set before Him”, Christ endured the cross.   “Faith is the assurance of things HOPED for”.  The writers of the New Testament were convinced that it is impossible to have victorious faith without a clear grasp of the future that God has planned for us.  We “do well to pay attention” to these prophetic promises.  Perhaps, Peter had an advantage.  He saw the glory of Christ with his own eyes. (Matthew 17).  But, we have an advantage too.  The same Spirit who carried the prophets along (v 21) now dwells in us!  “It is to your advantage that I go away”, said Jesus, “because I will send the Comforter!”

The promise of His Spirit

Re: Verse reading–2 Peter 1:1-12 (day seven)
“Through these, He has given us His great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature.” (v 4)  Peter is likely thinking of his own experience.  When the Holy Spirit filled him (Pentecost) it changed his life forever.  No longer was he limited in life by his own meager resources.  The LIFE of Christ flowed in/through him.  He became a participant in the nature and powers of God!  Are we convinced and clear that this truth is the foundation of the Christian life? Do we proclaim and live a life that is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises?  “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. . .I will put My law IN them.”  (Jeremiah 31:31,33)  “And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”  (Acts 1:8)  We can participate in His LIFE.  He promised!