A couple of things about prayer that will amaze you: First God listens to you when you pray. "Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."(Mk 11:22-25 MSG). You may not have any power anywhere else, but when you pray God listens. Next We seldom pray, period. We have the greatest privilege imaginable - access to the most powerful credit card of the entire Universe -- yet we rarely use it. And our lack of prayer surprises God.
Through the prophet Ezekiel He lamented: "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one. So I'll empty out my wrath on them, burn them to a crisp with my hot anger, serve them with the consequences of all they've done. Decree of God, the Master."(Eze 22:30,31 MSG). When it was evident that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed, Abraham didn't rush to warn the cities. No, he "Abraham stood in GOD's path, blocking his way.”(Gen 18:22 MSG). God said the golden calf justified a nationwide death penalty for Israel; Moses interceded for the country to God and saved them. The MSG translation of Exodus 32:11-13." Moses tried to calm his GOD down. He said, "Why, GOD, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, 'He had it in for them—he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth.' Stop your anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them 'I will give you many children, as many as the stars in the sky, and I'll give this land to your children as their land forever.)An inconspicuous priest by the name of Phinehas pleaded God not to send the plague, and it was done. “stood up and pled their case
and the plague was stopped.”(Ps 106:30 MSG)
You say "Why place such a high priority on prayer?" It is simple. When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works! Powerful, not powerless, you might have missed it. Scripture attaches breathtaking power to prayer. "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."(Mt 18:19-20MSG). Does any other activity promise such results, or action? “I’ll be there”. Does God call us to preach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? No, but He said "pray without ceasing. It’s the relationship that saves relationships.
Through the prophet Ezekiel He lamented: "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one. So I'll empty out my wrath on them, burn them to a crisp with my hot anger, serve them with the consequences of all they've done. Decree of God, the Master."(Eze 22:30,31 MSG). When it was evident that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed, Abraham didn't rush to warn the cities. No, he "Abraham stood in GOD's path, blocking his way.”(Gen 18:22 MSG). God said the golden calf justified a nationwide death penalty for Israel; Moses interceded for the country to God and saved them. The MSG translation of Exodus 32:11-13." Moses tried to calm his GOD down. He said, "Why, GOD, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, 'He had it in for them—he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth.' Stop your anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them 'I will give you many children, as many as the stars in the sky, and I'll give this land to your children as their land forever.)An inconspicuous priest by the name of Phinehas pleaded God not to send the plague, and it was done. “stood up and pled their case
and the plague was stopped.”(Ps 106:30 MSG)
You say "Why place such a high priority on prayer?" It is simple. When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works! Powerful, not powerless, you might have missed it. Scripture attaches breathtaking power to prayer. "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."(Mt 18:19-20MSG). Does any other activity promise such results, or action? “I’ll be there”. Does God call us to preach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? No, but He said "pray without ceasing. It’s the relationship that saves relationships.
No comments:
Post a Comment