Posts Tagged ‘ Prayer ’
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Jesus would often go to a lonely place to pray. (Luke 5:16)
We are told to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
A constant conversation. A conversation between you and God.
Prayer is not just going to
a lonely place.
It is a moment by moment
conversation,
Seeking to get to see God
face to Face
To impact your life to impact
a generation.
Open your mind to wisdom, and find some at Proverbial Thought!
The poem today is based on a couple passages of Scripture, Joel 2:12-13 and Acts 4:24-30:
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and he relents over disaster.
Joel 2:12-13, ESV
And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants[f] to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:24-30
Therefore, this poem is a prayer for God to help us learn to rend our hearts and to heal our land.
rending
You tell us to rend our hearts
but how can we not with
injustice and pain rampant
are we sure this is not the pit
redeem this land from itself
heal these people so sick
reveal Your heart to all
about what rending is
giving over ourselves to You
and experiencing this
is breaking our spirits
to show others Jesus
It is my prayer you find wisdom, and perhaps you can find some help at Proverbial Thought!
The poem today is a prayer that was originally inspired by Proverbs 30:7-14. There is a mix of, well, everything else from God’s Word that is good and leads us toward holiness. I think it is rather appropriate for Father’s Day, as all fathers (all parents) should pray this!
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
a simple prayer
O God
give me enough today
that i need not stealO Lord
give me patience to stay
that i get through ordealsO Savior
clean up my mouth and mind
that i not lie or lustO Friend
clean out my heart and life
that i love and be justO Father
hear my cry of despair
that my soul be made holyO Daddy
hear my simple prayer
that my soul be filled with your peace
Find some good ole wisdom at Proverbial Thought!
I know many people going through various things in life at the moment. The poem today I wrote almost seven years ago for a friend going through some trials.
Perhaps, if you are going through something, you will be blessed by it.
a prayer for my sister in Christ
Lord, i lift up my sister into Your hands!
Calm her spirit, clear her mind,
guide her steps, and lead her life!
Reveal your will and show your Face.
Cover my sister in your grace!
Thank You, our gracious Father,
for being our loving Savior!
It is interesting that this poem came up this week, as my family and several friends’ families have been going through a lot of trauma. Surgeries, cancers, automobile issues, finance issues, and on and on.
A couple of times in my life I felt like God had almost abandoned me. Intellectually, I knew it was not true, but I felt empty and alone.
Perhaps you can understand what I am talking about. You just feel emotionally drained, like nothing fits and you cannot understand the most basic things in life.
That is where this poem arose. It was one of those days of just being done. Then God and I had a chat.
a dialogue with the Lord
Lord
do You really hear me
are You really moving
i cannot hear Your voice
i see almost nothingMy Child
I am always listening.
I am waiting for You.
You have heard my call.
Just trust in My Truth.Lord
You feel so distant
Your presence feels far
where are You O King
i want You to be my LordMy Child
I am never very far.
My Spirit is on the move.
Give up all You hold on to
And let Me come inside You.
About month ago I posted Psalm 119:89-104. The reason for that was that my Theology class was assigned this passage for a memory quiz. We had to write out all 16 verses from our choice of translation as accurately as possible.
I typed it out for my blog as a memory aid.
The day it posted online was the day of the quiz. I was going over it before my Preaching class started, and the professor asked if I had an opening thought and prayer to share with the class (he likes his students doing that in this class). Since I had it in my hand, I said “Yes,” and quickly decided which words to share about this passage. Below, I will expand on what I shared in class.
Proverbs 119:89-104, ESV
Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 1:1-3, NIVIf I had not delighted in your Law, I would have perished in my in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
John 1:4, NIVI am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
John 15:18-20, NIVOh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way.
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:1-12, NIV
This is true for the pastor and for the regular church-goer:
We are called to be a royal priesthood. It is our calling, in Christ Jesus, to share the good news of Christ Jesus with the world.
How can we do that if we do not know His written word?
Through the Bible, our Lord has revealed to us the truth of His character, plan, and will. We must be saturated by His word if we are to be fully effective as His witnesses. (Note I said “fully” effective. God can and does still use us to achieve His will, just keep in mind that He uses the wicked as much as the justified. i.e. Look at the Antichrist.)
As we have begun teaching in our youth group, this requires knowing God’s word through prayer, study, fellowship, and meditation.
This is not a suggestion. To be fully effective for God, we must make sure we “sought Your precepts,” “consider[ed] Your testimonies,” and “do not turn aside from Your rules,” “for You have taught [us].”
God Himself has taught us what is good and right, and we know this best from reading from the Bible regularly and allowing it to transform our lives to the likeness of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father.
(Or am I being to strict about this?)
(No. I am not.)
Do not forget your daily dose of wisdom, which can be found at Proverbial Thought!
I have quite a few blogs that I follow. One that I follow yet do not regularly interact with (Sorry, James!) is Men of One Accord. James’s goal with his blog is to bring about unity between Christians in Christ Jesus, and I highly recommend checking out his poetry, prayers, and quotes. The spelling might not always be the greatest, but the content is always full of grace, love, and Jesus! I strongly suggest you follow his blog!
This past week, as I was hurrying from work to seminary or youth group, or trying to get in all of my reading and assignments (the downside to taking 12 credits at the graduate level and working full-time while involved in ministry!), this little gem appeared in my inbox. It strengthened me, encouraged my spirit, and reminded me of why I push myself: it is all for His glory!
As he said in the post, “I could not keep it all to myself, I had to share. May all be blessed and peace be with you. Amen”
My Abba I bow
before the morning light.
Prepare me to arise
at the dawning of Your new day.
As You pour out new mercies
forgiveness of all sins
through Your love
by grace this child
has been embraced.
I sing praise, honor, and glory
to the lamb that was slain.
Forever
Yeshua shall reign.
Your child brings to You
his body, heart, spirit, and soul
which to You I freely give.
These are my five loaves and two fish
I give for Your blessing
to break, to pass out and to feed
a multitude of hungry and lost souls.
For by Your grace
this child has been embraced.
Forever I will sing Your praise,
to honor, and to glorify
the lamb that was slain.
Forever
Yeshua shall reign.
AMEN.
Find wisdom in the commentary at Proverbial Thought!
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
Philemon 1:6, NIVPray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel . . .
Ephesians 6:19, NIVFor this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:9-12, NIV
Yesterday, I began my educational journey at Phoenix Seminary!
Therefore, I think it is appropriate to start this journey off correctly: with prayer!
I first read this prayer on the blog Walking Christian, posted by the founder Gil Sanders as “A Student’s Prayer by Thomas Aquinas” on October 13, 2012.
I post it today in hopes that any who read this will join me in praying for my education and for your own edification and growth in Christ!
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things
correctly and fundamentally.Grant me the talent
of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself
with thoroughness and charm.Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.I ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Learn the wisdom of the Kingdom by reading some thoughts at Proverbial Thought.
I am on a role with these song-inspired posts, as of late, so here is another.
The Kingdom of God Is Near
Prayer is certainly important in the life of a Christian, as discussed last week.
Jesus taught us to pray:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:9-13, NIV
Perhaps the reason we fail to see revival and change in our society is because we do not really pray for “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Sure, we say the words, but how often do we mean it?
A chapter earlier, Jesus says:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.“
Matthew 5:13-16, NIV
Perhaps we do not see revival and change in our society, because we have not really asked our Father to change us through His Holy Spirit to be His salt and light in our world. We have a tendency to think God will just change all of their hearts without our intervention.
I could go on and on, but I think the Rend Collective Experiment sang it out best in this prayer to song:
Come set Your rule and reign
In our hearts again
Increase in us we pray
Unveil why we’re made
Come set our hearts ablaze with hope
Like wildfire in our very souls
Holy Spirit come invade us now
We are Your Church
We need Your power
In us
We seek Your kingdom first
We hunger and we thirst
Refuse to waste our lives
For You’re our joy and prize
To see the captive hearts released
The hurt; the sick; the poor at peace
We lay down our lives for Heaven’s cause
We are Your church
We pray revive
This earth
Build Your kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray
Unleash Your kingdom’s power
Reaching the near and far
No force of hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts
You made us for much more than this
Awake the kingdom seed in us
Fill us with the strength and love of Christ
We are Your church
We are the hope
On earth
Find a quiet place and read from Proverbial Thought.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:1625 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[a]” [“by prayer and fasting”]
Mark 9:25-29But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6
lonely places
we often ask for more
we seek the power of Christ
but are we seeking from the floor
do we find lonely places
we want our God to be proud
we want to serve our King
but are we always somewhere loud
do we go to the lonely places
the disciples could not cast out
demons did not move at the name of Jesus
they asked what that was about
they did not often find lonely places
Jesus was close to the Father
He often went somewhere to pray
why did He always have the power
He often would go to lonely places
how can we have the power of Christ
and move in His Holy Spirit
we need to have a lot of prayer time
and go off to lonely places
a simple man of God 