Prayer Is the Most Effective Way to Mental and Physical Health

 

Read More

How to Make an Important Decision!

By Dennis Edwards:

Desperate prayer is one of the most important criteria needed when making a tough decision. God’s Word says, “Ye shall seek Me and find Me when you shall search for Me with all your heart.”[Jeremiah 29:13] Jesus said the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.[Matthew 22:37] In other words, we are to be whole-hearted in our love for God. Jesus also said, “Seek and you shall find.”[Matthew 7:7] God has promised in His Word to hear our cry and answer when we call upon Him with whole heart. Hold God to his Word. Claim His promises. He says “Call upon Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.”[Jeremiah 33:3]

Sometimes fasting food and or television or anything else which might hinder one's ability to concentrate on hearing God's voice, may be helpful. Never doubt for a moment that God will answer. Be desperate for His answer, and guidance. You won’t be disappointed. His Word says, “Before they call, I will answer and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”[Isaiah 65:24]

Another aspect of getting answers in prayer when making decisions is to get one's own will out of the way. We need to ask God to show us His will. Because in the end, that’s what we are really seeking to find, God’s will for us. Apostle Paul admonishes us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, that He might transform our minds, in order that, we can find His good and perfect will.[Romans 12:2] Reading God’s Word can be a big help in moments of decision. God's word can have a cleansing effect. It can help lift the fog we often have when we are trying to make a difficult decision. God can even speak to us through His Word, showing what decision is the best one to take.

I have found in my own life that, once I commit something to the Lord in prayer, I need to trust, that whatever happens, is within His will. He is in control, even if I cannot see or understand how.

An example of desperation from my own life happened in my last year of High School. To my dismay, the Vietnam Draft Lottery gave me a low number. A low number signified I would be drafted into the military when my college studies were finished. A dark cloud of despair hung over me as a result. The next four years of college were not fun and parties like many of my friends experienced. The United States of America was in the midst of a social upheaval against the war. When my college days were ended, what would and what should I do? Should I go in the military and do my duty, like the Catholic Priest and Protestant Minister with whom I had asked council from suggested? Should I go to Mexico or Canada, like many young men were doing? What was the right action I should take?

Not having the answers, I started searching for them in books, magazines, and journals. Even though I was an agnostic at the time, I still wanted to do what I felt was morally right. I was against the war like men young people were. Joining the army was out of the question. Some friends encouraged me to go in as a conscientious objector or a medic. But for me, joining would be a compromise. I did not want to be killed, or want to have kill some other poor guy. I did not want to help the war effort in any way. 

I read many books and articles to strengthen my conviction against the war. Finally, the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament gave me the conviction that I needed. I would resist the draft, and face the consequences, whatever they would be.

My mother called me in the beginning of November 1971 explaining how the FBI had been to our home to arrest me. They had talked with our neighbours. They would be coming for me soon. I was in another state some 800 kilometres away. I got down on my knees, and cried out with tears to God with all my heart, soul and mind. “God, if you exist, please help me.” 

Two weeks later, I picked up two hitchhikers. They led me in a simple prayer to accept Jesus as my Saviour. Thus, began my new life as a Child of God. I didn’t join the military. I didn’t go to jail. I joined a Christian missionary training centre and learned how to follow God. I dedicated my life to God. God, as a result, did the miracle. He saved me out of the mouth of the lion, out of the hands of the American Military machine. Since that time, I have been serving God, in some form or the other, for the past fifty-five years. He heard my prayers. He will hear yours, also. Call upon Him with all your heart. Have desperate prayer. You will not be disappointed.

Originally published November 28, 2013.

Read More

Prayer-craft Is Greater Than Aircraft!

From Streams In The Desert 2 (Mrs. Charles E. Cowman)

It is not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many they are; not the rhetoric of our prayers, how eloquent they may be; nor the geometry of our prayers, how long they be; nor the music of our prayers, how sweet our voice may be; nor the method of our prayers, how orderly they may be- which God cares for. Passion of spirit is what avails much.

There is nothing that makes us love someone as praying for him, and when you can do this sincerely for anyone, you have fitted your soul for the performance of everything that is kind and civil toward him. Be daily on your knees in a solemn, deliberate performance of this devotion, praying for others in such form, with such length, importunity and earnestness as you would for yourself; and you will find all little, ill-natured passions die away, your heart will grow great and generous. (William Lane)

The prayers of godly men and women can accomplish more than all the military forces in the world. Prayer-craft is greater than aircraft.

Because you prayed-
God touched our weary bodies with His power
And gave us strength for many a trying hour!
In which we might have faltered, had not you,
Our intercessors faithful been, and true.

Because you prayed-
God touched our lips with coals from altar fire,
Gave spiritfulness, and did inspire
That, when we spoke, sin blinded souls did see;
Chains of sin were broken;
Captives were made free.

Because you prayed-
The dwellers in the dark have found the Light;
The glad good news has banished heathen night;
The message of the Cross, so long delayed,
Has brought them life at last-
Because you prayed

(Charles B. Bower)

Originally published February 16, 2012

SOMEBODY PRAYED Words: Louise J. Walker, Cephas, Bethy Music: Cephas, Bethy Hands reaching out over oceans and mountains, Helping press onward when I was afraid, Thirsty souls drank at the life-giving fountain, Somebody somewhere had earnestly prayed Chorus: Somebody prayed and my burden was lighter, Somebody prayed and my path became clear, Clouds rolled away and the sunshine was brighter, Jesus my wonderful Saviour was near Faith flickered low as I battled affliction, Jesus the mighty Physician was there, Healing me, giving me joy in His presence, Answering somebody's unfailing prayer [Chorus] Souls for the Master that afar I may gather, Trophies at last at His feet to be laid, "Well done" He'll say, but I think I will answer, "It's all by Thy grace, Lord, 'cause somebody prayed" [Repeat Chorus Twice]

Read More

Please Pray for Peace in the War Torn Nations! - The Daily Voice

The following post was originally written and published back in 2012 when an ongoing war was taking place in Syria. I have taken out the references to Syria and placed instead "a war torn nation."

Jesus speaking in prophecy:

“How many more will die before my people are moved with compassion to pray for the peace of that war torn nation? Each day of fighting means another day of death and destruction to the dear people of that nation. Why do not My people cry out to Me to stop these atrocities of war? War is man at his worst. Why do My people sit idly by and are not moved to pray? 

"Prayer moves My hand, but if My people do not pray, do call upon Me, My hands are tied. But if you will call upon Me, I will answer. Call. Raise up your voices like the sound of a trumpet or like the roaring ocean. Let the world itself hear your cries. Your cries will affect change in that country's favour. The fact that you are praying will affect other people and will cause a chain reaction of prayer. 

"Will you pray for peace in that war torn country? Will you pray for its leaders, that I will help them to put the future of their country above their own personal safety and ambitions? Pray that I will help them to make the right decisions that will lead to a just and lasting peace for all the people of that nation, and not just for one political or religious or social group.

"Will you pray against the war mongers who provoke war for their own personal or political agenda and care not for the people of that war torn nation, nor their aspirations? Please pray against those whose agenda is war and the promoting of war. Pray for peace in all the war torn nations. 

"Be moved with compassion and get together with a friend or family member and pray for the peace of that nation. If thousands or millions of My people of the world begin to pray, I will hear. Maybe even your governments will hear. Maybe the war will be stopped?

"I will use your prayers. I will translate those prayers into action in the lives of those involved in the war. Your prayers will not go unanswered. Although I am limited by the decisions of men, your prayers will not be in vain. Pray. Pray with all your heart and mind and body and soul, as if one of your own were there in the midst of the fighting and your only means to help them was through the power of your prayers."

Dennis Edwards:

Brother Andrew´s Open Doors Ministry found that nation to be one of the most exciting witnessing places in the Arab world before the war started. Nearly 10% of the population was of a nominal Christian faith. Religious tolerance was the norm. Let us pray that God will strengthen their faith in this time of crisis and will raise up Godly leaders to be His ministers of love and peace within that war torn nation.

Prayer: Dear Jesus,

There is little that we can do as individuals to stop the war in that country. We know that war is hell and that the people of that nation are passing through hell right now, because of the war and instability. We call upon you, Lord. Hear our prayers and come to the aid of the people of that nation. Come to the aid of those who want the fighting to stop. You said, "Blessed are the meek." Save the meek, the weak, the poor, and the persecuted.

Bring peace to that nation. Stop the war mongers and those who are promoting the war for their own personal or political agenda. Stop them, Lord. Bring the evil they are promoting upon their own heads. Bring peace to that nation. Bless those who truly want peace and are truly seeking for peace, whichever side they may be on.

You said, “Blessed are the peacemakers...” Bless the peacemakers in that war torn nation and internationally, wherever they may be and whoever they are. Lord, put pressure on the international bodies to really desire and press for peace. Rebuke those who are using the war for their own agenda or their country's political or religious agenda. Move the hearts of Your people to cry out to You for peace and to cry out to their governments to pursue avenues for peace. 

Lord, You promised that if we called, You would answer. Hear our prayers. Send help to the broken people of that war torn nation, those who want peace. Bless them and strengthen them. Raise up a bulwarks in their defence. May the angel of the Lord encamp around about them and be their guardian.

Lord, your hand is not shortened that it cannot save. Save thy children who are crying out to You in desperation. Hear their cries and answer from above. May the elements of war and those that incite violence and war suffer the evil they desire for others. In Jesus´ name, we pray. Amen.

Originally published November, 12, 2012.

Read More

On an Adult Child's Seemingly "Wrong" Decision - The Daily Voice

Jesus Speaking: 

"You can not decide for your son or daughter. They must decide for themselves and live their own lives. They will learn important lessons from their decision making. Each person must give their own account before Me. Trust Me. You tried to implant My Word in your children's hearts when they were young. That word will not return void. It will come to them in those moments of deep soul searching that every one must face. Pray. Pray for each one as they decide which road to take. Pray that My Spirit will lead and guide them and that even any seemingly "wrong" decisions will work together for good. Remember, My ways are not your ways, neither are your thoughts Mine. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so are My thoughts and My ways above yours. Trust Me for your children. Baptize them with your daily prayers. Your prayers will not return void, but will reap that which I desire to accomplish in your children's lives according to their own yieldedness. 

"Prayer is not the least you can do, but the most. Prayer moves My hand. I will speak to your children in ways that only I can. You have done what you could. Now, be the loving sample I would have you to be. Be understanding. Be compassionate. Be a friend. The time will come when they will seek for your advice. Until then, keep your communication open by showing your approval of each one of them. Be helpful. Be generous and by doing these things you will keep the lines of communication fluid. Remember, love never fails. Do the loving thing. At times like the present, when they may not be open to your advice, be patient and trust that ultimately I am in control. Be there for each one of them, but do not try to force your "wise" opinions on them. They must learn at the present time from their own seeking and searching for the path they need to take. Pray. That is the gist of My message to you: Pray. If you only knew how much the outcome of things is determined by your prayers or lack of them, you would be more faithful in prayer. PRAY!"

Originally Published January 17, 2012.

Read More

Growing in Our Walk with God

Written byG.L. Ellens|February 2026|
 Share|Post

Over the last couple of months, I’ve really tried to put God first every morning. And it has made all the difference in the world. Taking time with God first thing in the morning is powerful and important. The time we spend with Him prepares us to take on anything that comes our way that day, good or bad.


I’ve found that trying to manage my day without committing my day to the Lord in prayer first is like trying to drive a car without suspension. Automotive experts tell us that’s not a good idea.—Not only will the ride be bumpy, but the car will be unstable and difficult to steer.

Starting our day with the Lord gives us a fresh, gratitude-filled perspective for the entire day. Not only does it change our day, it eventually changes our whole life. It helps us to trust Jesus with everything that comes our way.

Keep in mind, too, that God is not some distant supernatural being advising us from afar off. He wants a relationship with each of us that is personal and intimate. In fact, He’s promised that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).

Granted, this is not always easy. Life hits us with tons of distractions and to-dos. So many activities can easily take up all our time—children, work, life responsibilities, the internet and social media, even church activities. At times, it seems that the last thing we could possibly think of is taking time to commune with God.

Maybe it’s time to reorder our priorities. If we neglect taking time with God, we’ll be taking a car ride without the benefit of suspension, and we’ll be less prepared to deal with the bumps and jolts of life. So, whatever it takes, let’s make time to be alone with God.

Having a few ideas to start with can be helpful. Instead of starting with my prayer requests, I begin with praising God. Reading the Bible or an entry from a devotional book and singing a song of praise is a great way to start. After that, I write in my gratitude journal at least five things I’m thankful for from the previous day.

Lately, I’ve started to realize that, just like in any other relationship, there needs to be two-way communication. I can’t just say what I want to say without also listening to the other person. The same is true of the Lord. He often has something He wants to say as well if we will listen. So often, if I just get quiet, a Bible verse or some words of comfort and encouragement will come to mind. It may be just a sentence or two or three. But that’s enough. It’s beautiful and comforting and gives me the perspective I need for the day ahead or guidance for something specific that’s troubling me.

Remember, God wants our fellowship. He has done everything He can to make that happen. He has forgiven our sins at the cost of His own Son. He has given us His Word, as well as the priceless privilege of spending time with Him. So, let’s make it a priority! Let’s put God first!
* * *

When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.—Ezra Taft Benson

When we come to Christ, we’re no longer the most important person in the world to us; Christ is. Instead of living only for ourselves, we have a higher goal: to live for Jesus.—Billy Graham

We need to make sure our activities and our attitudes line up with what pleases God first and foremost. Wherever we focus our attention the most will become the driving force in our lives.—Lysa TerKeurst
* * *

If you have not yet received Jesus as your Savior, you can do so by praying the following prayer:

Dear Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died on the cross for me so that, through Your sacrifice, I can live forever with You in heaven. I ask that You forgive my sins. I open the door of my heart to You. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me live in a way that glorifies You. Guide my life and help me to follow You. In Your name I pray. Amen.



G.L. Ellens

G.L. Ellens is a missionary, retired schoolteacher, and freelance writer. She has lived in Southeast Asia for nearly three decades.

https://activated.org/en/faith/walking-with-god/prayer/growing-in-our-walk-with-god/

Read More

Pray and Expect Miracles!

Dennis Edwards

I just think there is a balance in everything. We can pray and expect miracles, but if not....We have seen a lot of healings and miracles in our lifetime and walk with the Lord. If those suffering some chronic disease like Parkinson don't get healed immediately, how are they going to feel. I just think they could get discouraged. 

Life is a battle. It's not easy. We should be walking in victory, but often we are struggling. What are we going to do? We're going to smile through our tears. We're going to pick up our cross, whatever it may be, and run the race with patience looking unto Jesus. We're going to draw nigh to Him in faith, and that drawing is what is going to transform us. Spending time in prayer, isn't for God's benefit, but for ours. We are transformed in those moments of quiet prayer and reflection. Prayer is for the transforming of our character more than for the answering of our requests. That's what I think. 

Let's pray over everyone that needs it. Let's lay hands, anoint with oil, petition or declare. Just the fact that we spend the time and show the concern for those that are sick and struggling may be an encouragement to them and their faith will be activated and God will heal. But if He doesn't heal at the moment, it could be he is working a bigger miracle in their hearts and in the hearts and lives of those around them. Who knows the wonderous ways of God. His ways are past finding out. There's no perfect formular. 

Jordan Peterson's wife got healed by praying the rosary with a friend daily and doing the stations of the cross. She ended up renewing her Catholic faith and her intellectual husband had to acknowledge something had happened. How can we understand the ways of God. We can pray to remove the mountains and cast them into the sea, but I haven't heard or seen of any physical mountains being removed, or any trees being plucked up, or any one walking on water. In some dire situation it very well might happen and God may do those types of miracles. Maybe the greater things ye shall do is not in the area of healing, though it could be. 

Maybe it's in the area of getting out the message, like the Chosen production, or Mel Gibson's films on Jesus. Maybe during those 3 and 1/2  years of persecution in great Tribulation God's grace will manifest and we will see even greater miracles and healings and walking on water, and mountains moving, and trees being plucked up. But even if we don't, we will not bow down to the idols of this world. We will sing in the face of the difficulties and rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer shame and persecution for His name. 

Let's stir up our faith and expect miracles like the faith healers proclaim and trust that God will bring the results He desires in His time and place. God is sovereign. He is still on the throne and prayer changes things.

Read More

DESPERATE PRAYER

 

1975-10-01

Father David 

When do you really pray, when you really pour out your heart to the Lord and speak in tongues? There should be some time when you really get “in the Spirit.” When do you really get in the Spirit? When do you really pour out your heart to the Lord and really get through in the Spirit?

It’s very important. It’s very good for your soul. It’s good for your spirit. It’s good for your spiritual condition to know that you have really poured out your heart to the Lord with a whole soul, with all your heart, with all your might.

You ought to really get down to business with God! There should be times when you really cry out to the Lord and really pray and seek the Lord and really pray in the Spirit with strong crying and tongues and tears and really call upon the Lord with a whole heart. He says then He’ll answer you (Jeremiah 29:13).

All of our little prayers are well and good, and the Lord hears them and He knows they’re sincere and we mean them, and He answers accordingly. But there are times when you should really, really get desperate with the Lord in prayer about certain things and certain people.

When was the last time you really poured out your heart in prayer with strong crying and tongues and tears to the Lord?

Does the Lord have to allow some trouble to happen in order to get you to really pray, to get you to really get serious with Him? The Lord wants us to be happy, and we usually are. But there should be times when you are not satisfied with just the usual run of things, when you really, really seek the Lord for a needed change and really pray, pouring out your heart to the Lord. When do you do that? What’s the last time you did that? What was it about? How long’s it been since you prayed like that? Do you ever pray like that?

Well I’ll tell you, brethren, this movement was born in prayer, crying out to God, weeping in tongues and prophecy. What’s the last time you had a prophecy? What’s the last time you had a message in tongues with interpretation? With all this praying, the Spirit ought to be answering! You ought to be getting answers in the spirit now!

When do you get really concerned and really pray?—Really concerned about your children, about your friends and contacts, and you really pray in the Spirit? The Scripture says that the Lord says, “No man moveth himself to call upon Me” (Isaiah  64:7). If you’re not really moved when you pray, I wonder sometimes how far it gets.

He says, “In the day that you call upon Me with a whole heart, I will answer thee” (Jeremiah 29:13). Our little prayers are sincere and we mean them, but we also need to really get desperate in prayer about a serious situation or anything that needs it.

I’ll tell you, wholehearted to me means getting in the spirit, speaking and praying in tongues and crying out to the Lord with strong crying and tears, and I weep and I agonize in prayer. Sometimes it costs two or three hours of sleep, but out of those sessions we have gotten some wonderful things from the Lord.

There’s no reason why you can’t be having such fellowship in the spirit and with the Lord, and getting things from the Lord. And you should! Or God may have to let something happen that will make you get desperate and really pray.

What does God have to do to make you get desperate?

Copyright © October 1975 by TFI

Read More

Praying Like a Professional

 

Words from Jesus
Audio length: 10:08
Download Audio (9.2MB)

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.—James 5:16

Be like a professional when it comes to intercessory prayer. If you were going to pitch the financing of a project, for example, to a company’s CEO and board of directors, you would come prepared with a clear proposal. You’d do your very best to show how such a project would be beneficial. You’d choose your words carefully and would strive to keep things concise and to the point, knowing that their time is precious.

What is a professional? It’s someone who is skilled at what they do. Think of prayer as a profession, and then strive to be the best you can be in the field of prayer. Any professional who is going to be effective has to put time and effort into their profession and has to work at improving their skills. Likewise, if you are going to grow in your prayer life, you have to invest the time, hone your skills, and strengthen your prayer muscles.

When it comes to intercessory prayer or requests for needs or opportunities, come to Me with thanksgiving, knowing that your every request is heard. Express your need thoroughly, be specific about what you ask for and what you have the faith for. Then wait and trust that as you commit every request to Me for My will to be done in the situation, you have done your part.

A key in prayer is trusting in Me for the outcome, and not wavering in your faith if the answer is not seen immediately. Sometimes I will bring the answer quickly and other times the answer may take longer for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the time is not right. Sometimes there are still choices that must be made on the part of the recipient of the answered prayer. And other times I answer your request, but not in the way you expected, as My ways and thoughts in the situation may not be the same as yours (Isaiah 55:8–9).

I’m the Boss, and you work for Me; but I’ve also made you a partner. With that partnership comes certain privileges. One of your highest privileges is that of sitting at the conference table of prayer with Me, knowing that you will walk away from that table after spending time in My presence a step closer to the answer and the peace of mind and confidence that I have heard your petitions and will bring about My will in the situation.

A first resort

Prayer should never be a last resort, but your first course of action, as you commit all things to Me and ask for Me to work in every situation. Prayer is not an “extra” or something you do when you have time or when the situation is dire. It is fundamental and central to your life and work, and most of all your relationship with Me, as you seek to acknowledge Me in all your ways (Proverbs 3:5).

Prayer is a central part of your life as a disciple! In fact‚ prayer is one of the most important parts of your walk with Me because it’s the part where you place things in My hands and trust in Me and My power to work according to My will. If you neglect that part‚ you miss out on entering into My peace, because without committing things to prayer, you end up carrying the weight of them on your own.

It is important to your spiritual life to take your prayer life seriously. Being professional about prayer is not being haphazard and lackadaisical; it’s being focused and giving it your full attention. It’s praying targeted and Spirit-filled prayers! Effective intercessory prayer takes focus, concentration, and desperation.

Do not belittle your ministry of prayer, as it helps to lay the foundation of your work for the rest of the day and to commit every concern to Me. As you pray for your work, your children, your friends and loved ones, the world around you, and those in power, you have done your part to seek My intervention in each situation, and for My will to be done and for My kingdom to come to earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9–13).

Be a prayer warrior

Be a prayer warrior—one who believes that prayer is important and puts their heart into it and makes it part of their everyday life. Take the same approach to your prayer life as you would to your profession. Give it the same care, attention‚ determination and focus as you do your work life. Whether you are praying during a time dedicated to prayer or throughout your day as you commit the tasks and situations at hand to Me and ask Me to intervene in the way I know is best, come to Me and cast all your cares on Me, knowing that I care for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Prayer warriors persevere in prayer and tend to their Father’s business with careful attention and diligence. Their earnest prayers are powerful and produce great results in accordance with My will (James 5:16). They are confident that when they ask for something according to My will, they have the petitions they desire of Me (1 John 5:14–15).

Like a doctor who is called to intervene in a needy situation that requires medical assistance, a prayer warrior is always prepared to respond to a need by coming boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). He knows that his gift of prayer makes him a servant of others, as he can’t turn a deaf ear to a needy situation that requires prayer. He knows that when prayer is needed, he is called to intercede, and he clearly and concisely presents the needs‚ asks Me to take care of them, and trusts that I will intervene according to My will.

Earnestness in prayer is not a gift. Every believer has the ability to grow in their prayer life. You can practice your voice of faith by memorizing and claiming My promises and reminding yourself of My faithfulness. You may wish you could do more to help a problem or situation than “just praying for it.” But remember that earnest, desperate‚ faith-filled prayer is powerful and can produce wonderful results.

During the course of your busy life it’s easy to forget that prayer is an integral part of being a Christian and a disciple. Prayer can open doors that could not be opened otherwise, breaks chains that would be impossible for human strength to break, remove the most daunting obstacles, deliver the most well-guarded prisoners from Satan’s clutches, and cause miracles to occur.

Coming into My presence with thanksgiving

Trust Me by relinquishing control into My hands. Let go, and recognize that I am God. This is My world; I made it and I control it. … When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me. Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart. Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results.

When your requests come to mind again, continue to thank Me for the answers that are on the way. If you keep on stating your concerns to Me, you will live in a state of tension. When you thank Me for how I am answering your prayers, your mindset becomes much more positive.

Thankful prayers keep your focus on My Presence and My promises. Your prayers and petitions are winged into heaven’s throne room when they are permeated with thanksgiving. “In everything give thanks, for this is My will for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).1

Originally published November 2007, unless otherwise indicated. Adapted and republished February 2024. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Fogarty.

1 Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson, 2010).

Forward to a Friend

https://anchor.tfionline.com/post/praying-like-a-professional/

Copyright © 2024 TFI 

Read More

Prayer Makes All The Difference

Read More

30 Day Praise Challenge - Part 3

Becky Harling

Taking it further

Praising God through His Names

Now that you have completed the 30-day praise challenge, my prayer for you is that you will want to continue the practice of praise. Our ultimate goal as believers is to glorify God & enjoy His presence. Living a life of praise is one of the most important elements of fulfilling that goal.

You will notice that this final section encourages you to use Scripture in your praise. When we combine Scripture & praise, it unleashes a power in our lives that is unstoppable!

Since I began praising God through His names & through what those names mean to me, my faith has been deepened & strengthened. During my times of praise, the following list of names is in front of me, & I use them to focus my praise. I have listed names for God the Father, God the Son, & God the Spirit. Notice that each person of the Trinity—Father, Son, & Holy Spirit—possesses the name Holy One. This understanding is especially important because we live in an age where some are questioning the concepts of the Trinity & the deity of Christ. Father, Son, & Spirit are all equally God.

God the Father

Abba—Mk.14:36

Consuming Fire—Heb.12:28-29

Creator—Is.40:28

Deliverer—Ps.70:5; Ps.144:2

Everlasting God—Is.40:28

Father—Is.64:8

Father to the Fatherless—Ps.68:5

Fortress—Jer.16:19; Ps.144:2

God Almighty—Gen.17:1

God Most High—Gen.14:18–19

God My Savior—Ps.18:46; Hab.3:17-18

God My Stronghold—Ps.144:2

God of All Comfort—2Cor.1:3

God of Glory—Ps.29:3

God of Peace—Heb.13:20-21

God Who Sees Me—Gen.16:13

Guide—Ps.48:14

Hiding Place—Ps.32:7

Holy One—Is.43:15

Husband—Jer.31:31-32

I AM—Ex.3:14

Jehovah-jireh (the LORD Will Provide)—Gen.22:14

Judge—Ps.75:7

King—1Sam.12:12

Light—Ps.27:1

Lord Who Heals—Ex.15:26

Redeemer—Is.54:8

Refuge—Deut.33:27

Rock—1Sam.2:2

Shepherd—Ps.23:1

Shield—Ps.18:2

Spring of Living Water—Jer.2:13

Strength—Ex.15:2

God the Son–Jesus Christ

Advocate—1Jn.2:1

Alpha & Omega—Rev.1:8; 22:13

Author of Life—Ac.3:15

Blessed Controller of All Things—1Tim.6:15 (PH)

Branch—Zech.3:8

Bread of Life—Jn.6:35

Bridegroom—Lk.5:34–35

Christ, the Son of the Living God—Mat.16:16

Creator—Col.1:16

Cornerstone—Eph.2:20; 1Pet.2:6

Counselor—Is.9:6

Deliverer—Rom.11:26

Desired of All Nations—Hag.2:7

Everlasting Father—Is.9:6

Eternal Life—1Jn.5:20

Faithful Witness—Rev.1:5

Firstborn from the Dead—Rev.1:5

God of Peace—1Thes.5:23

God, Forever Praised—Rom.9:5

Head over Everything—Eph.1:22

Heir of All Things—Heb.1:2

High Priest—Heb.4:14

Holy One—Lk.4:34; Ac.3:14; Rev.3:7

Horn of Salvation—Lk.1:69

I Am—Jn.8:58

Image of God—2Cor.4:4

Immanuel—Is.7:14; Mat.1:23

Jesus—Mat.1:21; 1Thes.1:10

King of Israel—Jn.1:49

King of Kings—Rev.19:16

Lamb of God—Jn.1:29, 36

Life—Jn.14:6

Light of the World—Jn.8:12

Lion of the Tribe of Judah—Rev.5:5

Living Stone—1Pet.2:4

Lord God Almighty—Rev.15:3

Lord of All—Ac.10:36

Man of Sorrows—Is.53:3

Mediator—1Tim.2:5; Heb.12:24

Messiah—Jn.1:41

Mighty God—Is.9:6

Morning Star—2Pet.1:19; Rev.22:16

Nazarene—Mat.2:23

One & Only—Jn.1:14, 18; 3:16

Passover Lamb—1Cor.5:7

Physician—Luk.4:23

Priest—Heb.5:6

Prince of Peace—Is.9:6

Redeemer—Job 19:25; Is.59:20

Righteous One—1Jn.2:1

Rising Sun—Lk.1:78

Savior—Lk.2:11

Son of God—Mat.27:54

True Vine—Jn.15:1

Truth—Jn.14:6

Way—Jn.14:6

Word—Jn.1:1

God the Holy Spirit

Breath of the Almighty—Job 33:4

Counselor—Jn.14:16

Eternal Spirit—Heb.9:14

Helper—Jn.14:16 (NASB)

Holy One—1Jn.2:20

Holy Spirit—Ac.20:28

Holy Spirit of God—Eph.4:29-30

Power of the Most High—Lk.1:35

Spirit of Christ—Rom.8:9

Spirit of Faith—2Cor.4:13

Spirit of God—Mat.3:16-17

Spirit of Life—Rom.8:2

Spirit of the Lord—Judg.6:34

Spirit of Sonship—Rom.8:15

Spirit of Truth—Jn.14:16-17

Here is an example of a prayer of praise using the names of the triune God:

“Holy One, I praise You because You are the triune God: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. I exalt You, Father, because You are my Abba, the One who tenderly loves me as a daddy would love his little child. Lord Jesus, I praise You because You are not only the Son of God but God Himself. I exalt You as my advocate before the Father. How I praise You for constantly pleading my case before Him. I praise You, Jesus, that You are the Bread of Life, able to meet the deepest longings of my heart. I praise You for loving me completely & for being my eternal bridegroom. Holy Spirit, I praise You for being my Helper & my Counselor. Thank You for being the power of God living in me! I exalt You as the Spirit of truth who is able & willing to lead me into all truth. I exalt You, triune God, & declare that I have placed my faith & trust in You. You alone are worthy of all my praise.”

When I want to praise God but lack words, I borrow some from Scripture. I often use 5 or 6 verses from the Psalms in my praise time.

One way to praise God is to write some psalms on index cards & take a walk, praying the verses back to God. Or, while listening to music, use the verses as your language of praise. You might pray something like this using the psalms: “Lord, I will give thanks today because of Your righteousness. I will sing praises to Your Name. I will praise You with all my heart. Holy Spirit, bring my will into perfect union with Yours so that I can praise God with a whole heart. I will be glad & rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High. Lord, Your Name is majestic & Your glory is above all the heavens. When I think of Your Names, so many come to mind. Each one teaches me more about Your nature. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me & for allowing me to know You better through Your Names. I praise You for Your unfailing love! I praise You that I can trust Your love & don’t have to worry that You will ever stop loving me or pursuing me. God, You have been so good to me, I could never find enough words to describe Your goodness.” (Ps.7:17; 9:1-2; 8:1-2; 13:5-6)

“How I praise You for being my Rock, Fortress, & Deliverer. I praise You that I can find refuge in You & that I don’t have to be afraid. When life feels as though it is too difficult, I can take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. You promise to shield me from the Enemy. I praise You, Lord, that You are my Rock & that You live!” (Ps.18:1-3,46,49)

Read More

Pray Until Something Happens!

Read More

Is there sin in the camp? How to lose God’s blessing!

Dennid Edwards

Joshua when he took over from Moses on Moses’s death, made some mistakes. Moses was a man who spent time with God. He had gone to the mountain and had come down with something to say. Moses spent time with God. He spent forty days on the mountain with God. And then another forty days. He was used to spending time with God. He had spent forty years in the wilderness and had learned He needed to spend time with God. Moses knew his work was not more important than his relationship with God. His family and his friends, his hobbies, his personal interests were not more important than his spending time with God. Moses spent time with God, and he had something to say when he came down from listening to the Lord.

That’s the way we should all be. As God’s people, we need to spend time with God. We need to spend time with the Lord in prayer for our families, for our loved ones, for our neighbours, for our politicians, for the state of the world, for Godly leaders. We should be praying and asking God to raise up righteous leaders in all aspects of life. We need to be praying. Failure in life is often the result of not praying. Or of having sin in the camp and therefore, losing God’s blessing.

Finally, when Moses died, Joshua took over the command of the people. They cross the Jordan River into the promised land and Joshua wins the victory at Jericho. But Joshua wasn’t as used to spending time with the Lord as Moses had been. Nevertheless, with the Lord’s help, he wins the battle at Jericho. However, there’s another little town not too far away named Ai. Joshua’s counselors suggest, “It’s a little town, it’s really small. It only has a few thousand people, so it’s nothing in comparison to Jericho. So we don’t need to bother taking the whole army. Just send around 2-3 thousand men. They’ll be able to take it.” Joshua listens to their counsel and does what they suggest. However, God’s word doesn’t tell us that Joshua inquired of the Lord, like we saw that Moses did. Joshua didn’t stop to hear from the Lord until after the fact. What happen when the children of Israel went out to the battle against Ai, those 2-3 thousand men, which should have been enough to conquer the city, got frighten. They fled from the inhabitance of Ai and thirty-six of them were killed. All of city of Ai come out after them and scared them away. And yet, it was only a little town.

All of Israel were astonished, “What happened? Where is the Lord? We were able to conquer the great city of Jericho, but not this little one?” Everyone knew that the presence of God was not with them.  They soon found out why. Joshua finally gets down on his knees and cried out to the Lord in prayer, “Lord, what happened.” And the Lord told him, “There’s sin in the camp.” Somebody had sinned. The Lord had commanded the children of Israel that when they conquered Jericho that no one should take any of the spoil.  The spoil, the silver and gold, etc. was to go to the common pot. The spoil was to go to the common pot, it was for the community. It was to be taken into the treasury of the nation and not any one individually should take anything.

But, a man named Achan stoll a wedge of silver and a Babylonian type dress and hid it in his tent. When Joshua prays and the Lord reveals to him that there’s sin in the camp. “Get everyone together and I’ll show you who it is.” Joshua called for the chief representative of each of the twelve tribes of Israel to come before him. The Lord was going to show him which tribe was the one where the sin was found. The tribe of Judah was chosen. They went through the different families within the tribe and eventually came to the family of Zerah and one of his sons named Achan was chosen. Joshua talks with Achan. And Achan confesses to the crime explaining he had stolen a wedge of silver and the Babylonia dress. Achan tells Joshua where he had hid it in his tent. Joshua sends some men to find it. They bring back the wedge of silver and the Babylonia dress.

The Lord told Joshua that he needed to set an example, so that all men might fear before the Lord. Joshua commands the people to take Achan and his wife and his sons and his daughters and his cattle and all his things and bring them to a valley, which became known as the Valley of Achan. The tribes of Israel stone Achan and his family to death. They were stoned to death in the Valley of Achan.

Apostle Paul tells us, “All these things happen unto them for examples.” Because of what happened, the people had the fear of the Lord. “Thou shalt not steal.” The spoil belonged to the community. We need to listen to what the Lord says and not have any secret sins. If we think we can have secret sin in our life and still have God’s blessing, we’re mistaken. We can’t. It’s a lesson for us to learn.

Maybe we should be asking the Lord why we don’t have His blessing on our lives. Maybe each one of us needs to be trying to radicate any secret sins that we have. Samuel tells us that he would be sinning by not praying for the flock that God had made him the overseer. Samuel says, “God forbid that I should sin in ceasing to pray for you.” If I don’t pray for you, I’m sinning. How many of us have that attitude that if we miss our time in prayer, we are sinning. We can go a week long and maybe we have a little time of prayer on Sunday, or on another day of the week, if we even have that. We never think we are sinning by our lack.

Maybe our whole society has gone off keel and we are wondering why we are having these problems. The presence of God maybe is not with us. Maybe, here in Portugal, we are having a less difficult time than some of the other nations, because we have a bit more fear of the Lord here? The fear of the Lord, the obedience to the Lord gives us a bit more of the Lord’s presence. Maybe we are not so blatently antichrist as some of the other countries. We certainly have an antichrist government here in Europe in the way certain laws have been made.

The important thing is that we spend time with God in prayer. We should be spending time praying for our families, praying for our children, praying for our government. And the other lesson we learn from today’s study is that we need to clean up any secret sin in our lives. God’s presence can not go with us, if we have sin in our lives. The children of Israel lost the battle because of the sin of one man. But Paul tells us that all these things happen to them as examples to teach us these lessons for today. But we are never going to learn the lessons, if we don’t spend time alone with God, if we don’t spend time reading God’s word. If we throw the Bible aside and think it’s just a normal book, we’re mistaken. To some people it may be a normal book. But believe me, I read these two stories this morning and they spoke to me. They spoke to me better than any other book I could find. Maybe some other books can speak to my mind, but the Bible really spoke to my heart today. I hope you got the lesson from it, too. 

Lord, we pray for each of our loved ones and friends today. Put your Spirit upon them. If they have any secret sins, help them each to root them out. Help them each to spend the time they need with You. Help each one to go to the mountain and hear Your voice. Help them to get their Bibles out and as they read, speak to each one. As they read, speak to them. Help each one to follow Your commandments. Let Your word speak to them, communicate with them, so that they obey the voice of the word. Help them to follow that still small voice of conscience. In Jesus’s name we pray.

If we do these things, we’ll be better for it. Our country will be better for it. Our families will be better for it. We will becoming men and woman of God. We will be a positive influence on others. Ultimately God wanted the Israelites to be an influence on the world and spread the message. But they failed miserably. It wasn’t until the Jews received Jesus that they finally realized what they were suppose to have been doing. They were suppose to be an example of a people with God in their midst, a people who loved God above everything else. It was something that each and every one of them could do. “To love the Lord their God with their whole heart, and their whole, soul, and with their whole strength, and with their whole mind.”  It is still the mission of every true man and woman of God today. Our mission is to teach others how to have a relationship with Jesus and God. That’s our job. It’s the most important thing we each have to do. God wants us to be a witness. The most important object we need to maintain, is our own relationship with God. We need to keep God first in our lives.

He says, “This is the first and greatest commandment, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, with thy whole strength, with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.” That’s the first commandment. So we need to keep God in first place. Apostle Peter says, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.” Why? “So that you’ll be ready to give an answer to any man that asks you the reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” If we put God first, we are going to spend time with God and if we spend time with God, we will learn how to answer the doubts and skeptism of the unbelievers.

But if we don’t spend time with God, if we don’t love the Lord, our lives are never going to amount to much. In fact we may very well be washed away by all the doubts and criticisms that are being spewed out into the world today. We may very well be overcome with doubts about our faith and our Christian heritage. We may very well end up believing the lies that are being spewed out. Why? Because we didn’t spend time with the God. If we spend time with God, we will be able to stand up for Jesus. If we spend time with God, we will hear His voice. We will become pillars of faith in the face of life’s storms. We will be able to face the waves, or better yet, the tsunami of intellectualism and unbelief that is crashing down against God and all that is godly. May God help us to stand in the gap and become the men and woman of God He wants us to be.

To go back and read the first part of the lesson click HERE

 

Read More

God Forbid That I Should Sin Against God

Dennis Edwards

Yesterday we did a little study on the importance of being persistent in prayer. We went over some of the examples in the Bible and there are a lot more that we didn’t even touch on. For example, there is Jesus Himself when He was in the garden of Gethsemani. How could He have the faith, how could He have the strength, how could He have the power, the peace, the calm, the presence of God with Him in the face of all that persecution and physical abuse that He received from the  Jewish religious leaders and the Roman officials throughout His trial and  crucifixion? How could He do what He did? How did He have the courage and the faith to go through all that humiliation and abuse bravely without complaint or fear or anguish? The only way Jesus, who had emptied Himself of the Divine nature, could do it was because He as a man got alone and spent time with His Father

We seee it many times in the Gospel s how Jesus got up early to pray, or sent away His disciples and the people and then went alone to a mountain to pray. Someimes He took His disciples to a quiet place so that they could get some rest and release from ministry and Jesus Himself could get some time alone with His father. Jesus had to get alone with God constantly. In order to have that power, that confidence, that calmness, that presence of God with Him, He had to get alone with God. In the hours before His arrest by the Jewish authorities, what does He do? He knows He is going to be betrayed. He had gone with just a few of His disciples to a mountain top outside Jerusalem and Elijah and Moses had appeared unto Him and explained what would happen in Jerusalem.

What does Jesus do that night before His arrest? He spends the night fellowshipping with His disciples, comforting them, washing their feet, telling them they should love and serve one another, telling them He’s going to the Father to prepare a place for them. After dinner they have a strange ceremony of communion where He says something about His body and His blood and a New Covenent. He sings a hymn with His disciples and walks calmly to the place of His arrest knowing that it’s all going to happen in just a few more hours. How does He manage to keep His cool? When they get to the garden, He asks His closest disciples to stay awake and pray with Him. He goes a little further away from them and cries out to God in prayer. In the Gospel of Luke we read, “He sweat drops of blood.” Todays science tells us that “sweating blood” is a phenonema of people in great anguish of heart and soul. Jesus even implores His Father to take the cup away from Him, but then submits Himself to the Father’s will.

But as a result of His time in prayer, when the Jewish officials arrive with the Temple guards, Jesus is again composed as could be and calmly goes with them, telling them, “If it’s Me that you want, let these others go.” Impulsive Peter, who swore He would go to the death for Jesus, raises a sword in defence and stikes off the ear of one of those that came to arrest Jesus. Jesus corrects Peter and tells him to put away the sword and turns and heals the man whose ear had been cut off. The whole crowd that came to arrest Him is stunned by what has happened. The disciples use the moment of confusion to flee. What gave Jesus His power and authority, His calmness and peace? I dare say, as He showed by His example, it was the time He spent alone with the Father.

In the Old Testament we see the same thing. We see God’s prophets getting along with God and often enough climbing a mountain to do it. Then when they come down from the mountain, they come down with power, and with something to say. They got alone with God. They got out from the multitude and went to the mountain and they heard from God. When they came back down, they had something to say. Even secular studies show that people who spend time alone are more creative. They have studies that show that people who go on regular walks also seem to be more creative.

Today we are going to talk a little more on the importance of prayer. We will be looking at 1 Samuel 8 and there abouts. The people are desiring to have a king over them. They want to have a king like the other nations round about them. Samuel tries to talk them out of the idea. He rehearses their history how God had given them judges since the death of Joshua. God’s anointing had come on a certain leader and he became the leader of the tribes and helped in judging the people. In the book of Judges you can read where it says that “Samson judged the people for so many years.” Or Jeptha judges the people for such amount of time, or Deborah judged the people. They say the Bible is a book of male chauvinism, but we see the children of Israel had a woman judge for many years. God’s spirit came down on a certain person that was yielded to Him and capable to lead and he or she would become the judge. Many times it was through some obvious miraculous feat of war against their enemies that everyone knew it was the presence of God with the leader that had given them the victory.

Samuel the prophet would travel a round in a circuit, judging the different tribes of Israel. The people would come with their complaints and problems and he would sit as a judge. In the story we will read today, Samuel is telling the people that he’s going to retire. He says, I’m old now, I put my sons in position as judges throughout the kingdom. I’m going to go home and rest. But the problem was that the sons were not like the father. The father never took a bribe. The father never extorted the people. The father made good judgment because he wasn’t influenced by money or material gain, so that he judged correctly. The people were already complaining about the sons. Your sons are not like you. They are taking bribes, not giving good judgments. Samuel was a bit upset becasue the people are asking for a king, but he went and talked to the Lord about it.

Remember Samuel had been that little child who had learned to hear from the Lord as a small child. We talked about his mother in another article. She was Hannah who had persisted in prayer for a child. She was married but wasn’t having any children. So she persisted in prayer and each year she went with her husband to the important feast and sacrífice. Her husband and her husband’s other wife also went. The other wife was already bearing children. The husband loved Hannah more even though she wasn’t bearing children and told her not to worry about it. But Hannah was in anguish of heart because she had no children to give to her husband. She prayed unto the Lord and told the Lord, open my womb and I will dedicate my first child to you for service with the High Priest.

She was weeping near to where the tabernacle had been set up, where the ark of the covenant resided, and Eli, who was the High Preist, came and saw her. Thinking she was drunk, he started to reprove her and she reponded, “No my Lord, I am a woman in much anguish of heart.” Eli realized that what she said was true and said, “Let the Lord hear all thy petitions.” Hannah went back home and soon afterwards she got pregnant  and in time Samuel was born. The Bible tells us that when the child was weaned, old enough to be away from his mother, she brought him to stay with Eli. He began to learn how to serve the Lord by being a servant of the High Priest. In the house of Eli he got his training as a man of God. Hannah was fulfilling her pledge and giving her first son back to the Lord.

You may remember the story of Samuel as a young child starting to hear from the Lord. Eli was getting old and Samuel would help by bringing him his water or by bringing him the parchments. Samuel would do a lot of the physical things that were getting difficult for Eli to do seeing that he was over weight and losing his eyesight. Eli wasn’t in very good shape and he needed or was using Samuel as a servant. But at the same time Samuel was learning. Samuel was like an apprentice.  Eli was teaching him through the example he was setting, good or bad. Samuel would also learn from the word of God  he would hear read. He was learning God’s ways through hearing His word.

One night Samuel was in bed half asleep when he hears Eli calling. He gets up and runs to Eli’s bed and says, “Hear I am, my Lord. Did you call me?” Eli is almost sound asleep but he’s an older man and so he wakes up quite easily and says, “No, no, what are you talking about. Samuel, I didn’t call you. Go back to bed now, go on.” So Samuel goes back to bed. But the same thing happens again. Eli sends him back to bed again. But again Samuel hears for sure that voice of Eli and goes running to him. Samuel comes running in saying, “My Lord, I heard your voice. I heard you call me, Samuel, Samuel. I heard you.” Finally, Eli realizes that it must be the Lord that is trying to talk with Samuel. Therefore, Eli replies, “No, no, go back to bed, but the next time you hear the voice say, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears. Samuel, it’s the Lord that’s trying to speak to you. Just say, Speak, Lord, thy servant hears.”

Samuel goes back to bed  and after a time in bed, again he hears the Lord speak saying, “Samuel, Samuel.” Samuel responds, “Hear I am, Lord, speak for your servant hears.” We see that Samuel as a young child learned to hear from the Lord. He learned the importance of hearing from the Lord. The Lord spoke to him and tells him of all the evil that is going to befall Eli and Eli’s sons because of their sins. Eli wasn’t so bad, but the problem was that his sons were taking bribes and laying with the woman when them came to offer sacrífice. They were using their power and position for money and for sex. They would take the better piece of the sacrífice for themselves and for their friends. And the Lord was displeased with that and displeased at Eli as a parent, and as God’s leader.

Eli’s problem was that he didn’t correct his sons. If you remember the stody of Abraham. When God choses Abraham He says specifically “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.”[1] God chose Abraham because He knew that Abraham would instruct them in the way of the Lord. God knew that Abraham would instruct his children and teach them to follow the Lord. How many of us as parents have failed in our responsibity as parents? We’ve failed to teach our children the importance of their having a good personal relationship with the Lord.  Now we can see how importsnt it is. God’s word says, “By their fruits ye shall know them.”

How many of us as parents have good fruits? I guess it still remains to be seen. Maybe our parenting wasn’t as good as it should have been. Abraham had Isaac who followed the Lord. The fruit of Isaac was Jacob and Esau. We see that Esau didn’t follow the Lord, but Jacob did. Whether he ended up following God because of influence of his father or his mother, we don’t know. But from the Scriptures, in Jacob’s case, we know his mother did have a big influence over him.  Because we see the hand of the mother, also in the story. Remember, when God gives the blessing to Abraham, calling him the father of many nations, God said, “I know Abraham will command his children after him”, or in other words, I know Abraham will instruct his children to follow after him, and therefore, after the Lord.

Getting back tothe story of Samuel, we see that Samuel learned to be a man of God through his living in the house of Eli, the High Priest. Samuel learned to spend time with the Lord. He learned to listen to the still small voice of the Lord. That’s what made him become a good judge of the people, his relationship with the Lord. Finally, Israel has a battle with the Philistines. The two sons of Eli decide to take the ark of the covenent into the battle with them thinking that it is going to save them.  But they have been disobedient and therefore don’t have God’s presence in their lives. They figure, “We’ll take the ark, that will save us even if we are full of sin.” But the Lord didn’t go with them, nor bless them. They get killed in the battle.

When the word comes back to Eli, he’s sitting on a bench near a wall. He was waiting anxiously to hear how the battle has gone and what has happened to the ark of the covenent. He hadn’t wanted his sons to take the ark with them. But the sons argued with their father and took the ark in anyway. During the battle the ark of the covenent gets taken by the Philistines. When Eli hears the bad news, he falls backwards off the bench and breaks his neck on the wall behind him and dies. But it doesn’t end there. His daughter-in-law was giving birth to a son at the same time. When she hears of the death of her husband and her husband’s brother, and that the ark of the covenent has been taken, she dies in child birth. The whole family got judged in one day by the hand of the Lord, because of their transgressions.

Apostle Paul tells us that these things all happened to them as an example so that we could learn from their mistakes. We could learn to have a fear of the Lord. King Solomon wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding.” Getting back to the story of Samuel, we remember that the people wanted a king. Samuel first goes and talks to the Lord and the Lord tells him to explain to the people what the king will be like. Samuel goes and tells the people, “He’s going to take away your daughters to be his cooks and bakers and maids. He’s going to take away your sons to be his soldiers and cradftsmen and work his fields and care for his animals. His going to take ten percent of your grain increase and 10% of your flocks.” Samuel tries to discourage the people from wanting a king, but the people continue to insists in their desire for a king. Samuel doesn’t do anything more, but goes back and reports to the Lord. The Lord says, “Okay, if that’s what they want, we are going to give it to them.”

Samuel tells the people that Lord says He’s going to give you a king. As he dismisses the people he says to the them, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” Samuel, God’s prophet, says, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” He’s telling us, that for a man or woman of God, it’s a sin if we don’t pray for others. Samuel was praying for the whole country. He knew many of them personally because he had judged their disagreements. He was praying for all the tribes of Israel daily. He tells them, “God forbid that I should sin in ceasing to pray for you,” or “Far be it from me that I should sin in ceasing to pray for you.”[2]

Yesterday, we went over the verse, “Pray without ceasing.”[3] We as God’s ministers, as God’s people, as God’s ambassadors need to be people of prayer. We need to be praying, we should be known for our prayers. When someone is sick they should say, “Oh, I know that woman in the town who prays for the sick.” We should pray and be praying, and be known for our prayer. We should be going around praying for people, praying in our homes, praying daily. We should be spending that time with God daily to make sure we have our priorities right. We should not sin by ceasing to uphold our loved ones in prayer. We should have a time of regular prayer vigil to bring our petitions before the Lord. Prayer is not the least we can do, but the most. Put God first. Spend time with Him in prayer today, tomorrow, and every day as often as possible. God will bless you and your loved ones because you prayed. Prayer moves the hand of God.

To go to a related or part two click HERE

[1] Genesis 18:19

[2] 1 Samuel 12:23

[3] 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Read More