Archive for the ‘ Prayer ’ Category
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Matthew 6:7-8 ESV
The difference between simply repeating a prayer and praying the same thing repeatedly is the first is doing a religious work while the second can be a sincere desire to hear/see God answer as you seek His presence.
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44, ESV
We are not to get vengeance. We are not to seek retribution.
We are to help fellow sinners get free from God’s wrath. If we refuse to love them, their trip to Hell may be on our own heads.
You want vengeance for their sin? Lead them to repentance through prayer and the Gospel.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV
We ask God without knowing what He has for us. We fail to understand grace, peace, forgiveness, and eternity. Yet we think we know what to ask for in this life.
Seek first the Kingdom, and you will be amazed at what He does.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
James 4:3, ESV
Too many teach God wanting our happiness and to give us good things to make us comfortable.
God desires His Word to be shared to save the lost, and He gives us what we ask for to achieve that goal.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24, ESV
The only condition here is “according to God’s will.” In Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are conforming to His likeness with access to His mind.
Believe in God, and pray for this world and your witness to it.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26, ESV
When life is so hard, so scary, and so wearying that we barely know how to think straight, God helps us talk with Him.
If you find it hard to pray, either sit quietly, inviting Him to speak, or let it all out at Him. He can take it. He will help you.
