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Many people have questions about prayer.  Some people have as many questions about prayer as they do about God.  The truth is that prayer and God go together.  Prayer cannot happen without God, and neither can it happen without you.  It is noteworthy to mention that the first account that we have of  prayer is in Genesis 4:26 where it says “then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.”   I would venture to say that since the fall of humankind, people began to acknowledge and be conscious of their weakness, and need for God’s intervention.

Today is not different than it was all those years ago, and we still need God’s intervention in our daily affairs.  It is for that reason, I believe we should have a daily discipline of personal prayer, especially if we are to maintain spiritual strength to pray for others.  For it is prayer that keeps us connected to God.  Apparently Jesus disciples felt this way, but didn’t have the understanding of how to pray.  They knew that prayer was expected of them, as there were many times when they looked for Jesus, they found Him praying.  As I talk to people at varying stages of their spiritual growth, I have heard people say that they want to pray, but don’t really know where to start. Why not start where the disciples did with Lord, teach us how to pray.

The prayer that Jesus taught his disciples can be heard in many churches on Sunday mornings, and is referred to as The Lord’s Prayer.  It should more appropriately be called the disciples prayer, for Jesus knew how to pray and this was a model for them.  I would suggest that we too can use it as a model to get our  prayers started on a daily basis or as often as we need to.  This model prayer can be found in Matthew 9:13:

     ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

      Our Father in heaven,
      Hallowed be Your name. 

Here we begin our prayer with praise and adoration for who God is and what He has done for us.  We acknowledge that His name is holy, and not to be taken in vain.   Inherent in His name is His awesome power and ability.

       ¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
      Your will be done

      On earth as it is in heaven

Here we are asking that God’s way of doing things in heaven govern the way we do things on earth.  We are asking for God’s will for ourselves, our families, our churches, our nation, and our world.

       ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

Here we are getting a little more specific and could pray for our physical and spiritual needs on a daily need basis.

       ¹² And forgive us our debts,
      As we forgive our debtors.

Here we ask God to forgive us for any known sin as well as asking God for the ability and the will to also forgive others and pray for them. Set your will to forgive anyone who has done wrong things against you.  This is an important step for our own forgiveness from God

       ¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
      But deliver us from the evil one. 

Here we are asking for God’s protection from yielding to anything that would tempt us to do evil and if we have been tempted asking for God to show us a way out.  We must guard our hearts and our minds and put on the whole armor of God as Ephesians Chapter 6 tells us to do.

      For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Here we return to Praise and exalting God that He has made us participants in His kingdom.  We acknowledge that all power and Glory belongs to God and God alone for now and always.

Amen.

This is an example that could help you to start your prayer and is only an example as Jesus gave His disciples.  Jesus was with them when he  gave them this model.  When He left the earth, he added that they should pray to the Father in His name.

For over fifty years, OurPrayer has prayed for others by name and need, and we welcome you to join us in our mission to transform the world through prayer.

This article is, reprinted with permission from OurPrayer.org.  Copyright 2009 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. To visit OurPrayer.org click here.

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Did you ever wonder “What’s In a Name”? Names mean different things to different people.  I have a teenage daughter that loves to shop at certain brand name stores.  She was so excited last week when she informed me that a new store just opened in the mall named “Charlotte Rouse.”   When I asked her what was so special about this store, she told me that it was a trendy store that sells clothes and jewelry that young girls like.  The sound of the store did not excite me, but my daughter convinced me of the importance of this name.  It held a lot of significance for her, and it also made the mall in our city somewhat “cool” because of this store new store. 

So what’s in a name?  In the ancient world, a name was more than a label. A person’s name was a serious matter because they believed names told you something about  a person ’ s personality and character. When you told someone your name, you not only told them who you were, you also told them what you were.  Because of this, when a person’s character changed he or she often received a new name,  which indicated a new being! Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah and Jacob became  Israel… it  showed that they were in covenant relationship with God. 

In the same way, when I pray, I rely on the power of a name, the name of Jesus. It is more than a label of identification.  It is more than a new fad. When I hear the name, I understand that it describes His nature and the purpose of life. It tells not only who He was, it also tells what he was about.   The name Jesus was known to Mary before He was born.   The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins… Matthew 1:20-21.

 The name of Jesus is the Greek form of the Jewish name Joshua. And it means “The Lord is salvation ” it means wholeness, peace and well-being. The person of Jesus Christ, the power of this life, and the importance of his victory at Calvary, epitomize perfectly the meaning of His name… ’ The Lord is salvation” It is for this reason that we can confidently call upon His name to help us in our time of need.  We can call upon His name because it has the power to heal, and deliver, and set us free.  Thank God that names have meaning.  I am thankful that I can call upon a name that is exciting today, and will be the same tomorrow, and everyday the same.  It is the lifeline that gives me confidence to pray and expect the power of the name to encourage, comfort and keep me while I wait for answers, and the assurance to continually come back in my time of need.

This article is, reprinted with permission from OurPrayer.org.  Copyright 2009 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. To visit OurPrayer.org click here.

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“The tremendous power of prayer, if we really seek it, can cure every problem of our human existence, bring healing and faith, and love and peace to those whom we love, and transform our world.  Norman Vincent Peale 1958”

James 5:16  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Amplified Version:  James 5:16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray (also) for one another, that you may be healed and restored (to a spiritual tone of mind and heart).  The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working).

What is Prayer?  Greek word for prayer in the New Testament is proseuche.  It is used in various forms 127 times in the New Testament.

Pro carries the meaning of close, up-front, intimate contact with someone else.

Euche is an old Greek word that describes a wish, desire, prayer, or vow.

The idea of this word is an exchange.  Giving something to God in exchange for something wanted or desired.

In prayer, we give God our worries, fears, and concerns.  Then we ask the Lord to give us something back in exchange for the things that you give Him.

There is a song by John Tesh:  I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my sickness, I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.  This is the idea of exchange.  In prayer, you can give make an exchange.  Give the Lord your fear in exchange for faith. 

The other word for prayer is deisis and it has to do with fervent prayer.  This depicts a person who has some type of lack in his life and therefore pleads strongly for his lack to be met.

It is translated several ways in the KJV, including to beseech, to beg, or to earnestly appeal to God.

This word pictures a person in such great need that he feels compelled to push his pride out of the way so he can boldly, earnestly, strongly and passionately cry out for someone to help or assist him.

It comes to God on the most serious terms, strongly beseeching Him to move and to meet a specific need that the person praying is facing in his life.

This is the same word for supplication …it is fervent prayer.

Prayer in and of itself has no power.  Its power is God’s power.  According to C. Samuel Storms, “Apart from God it is an empty ritual, a meaningless flow of words.  Prayer is powerful because God is powerful and prayer is the means through which that divine power is released and channeled into our lives”  (Reaching God’s Ears, p.223).

God governs the world through our prayers.  Psalm 106:23 tells us that Moses’ intercessory prayer kept God’s wrath from destroying Israel after they had sinned.. It changed the course of history.

Prayer is powerful because it moves the hands of God.  E. M. Bounds declared, “Prayer can do anything God can do.”  God is almighty.  He can do anything.  But he chooses to exercise his power as directed by the prayers of his people.  Nothing can resist the prayer of God’s people in accord with his will and in His name… the name of Jesus.

This article is, reprinted with permission from OurPrayer.org.  Copyright 2009 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. To visit OurPrayer.org click here.

From 

Many people start out their new year with a New Year’s resolution.  Of course, when they utter their resolve to change an area of their lives it is with good intentions, yet within a month or so what they intended to faithfully do has long been forgotten.

I have heard New Year’s resolutions to give up smoking, become more organized, be a better friend, stop wasting time, curb impulsive spending, and lose weight.  Common to all of our resolutions is the desire for a changed life.  Understanding this, I took the liberty to get a definition of a resolution.  According to Webster’s dictionary, a resolution is a firm determination; an act of resolving to do something.  What I think people are really looking for is a new way of living or a lifestyle change.  A lifestyle on the other hand according to Webster’s dictionary is a way of life or style of living that reflects the values and attitudes of an individual or group. I dare say that for 2008, what we want is to make lifestyle changes and not try to hold on to a resolution that is not sustainable for the long haul. 

Incorporating prayer into our lifestyle is the change we need to seek.  In Luke 18:1, Jesus told his disciples a story about how they should keep on praying and never give up.  This certainly calls for more than a resolution.  Prayer calls for consistency and faith during the good days and that which challenges everything we believe in and practice.  If prayer is not a part of our everyday lifestyle we are more prone to give up when we don’t see immediate answers.  Prayer can be done on an individual basis and can also be done in community.  Without faith during our individual times of prayer or our praying with a community of believers, there will be no way that it will become a lifestyle.  Our number one goal and mission at OurPrayer is to help you maintain a lifestyle of prayer that will cause you to trust God in ways that you never thought possible.  We are here for you on the web 24 hours per day, 7 days per week…you are never without someone to pray with or someone to pray for you. Our phone line is available also Monday through Friday 7am til 10pm.

Thanks to our trained volunteers who have devoted themselves to a lifestyle of praying for others.  They epitomize the disciples of Jesus who keep on praying and never give up.

This article is, reprinted with permission from OurPrayer.org.  Copyright 2009 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. To visit OurPrayer.org.

From

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born,
      Unto us a Son is given;
      And the government will be upon His shoulder.
      And His name will be called
      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

A Season to Rejoice!   Advent is the season on the Christian calendar to prepare us for the Coming of the Lord. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on the day before Christmas. Seasons like this provide us with a great opportunity to be thankful and to pray for those around us.  While many people are rejoicing as you may be doing during this season, there are many who see no reason to rejoice.  That is precisely where the power of prayer can be so effective and purposeful.  As you are shopping and going through the hustle and bustle of Christmas, please remember that your prayers can mean the world to someone else who may be suffering from a depressed or cast down spirit.  Advent is meant to be a time of anticipating the ultimate gift coming into our midst.  The prophet Isaiah announced that a Child would be born into this world who would be a special gift to us as our Prince of Peace. Who could not be excited about an opportunity to have peace in their lives?  How many times have you been hard pressed to answer the question, “what do you want for Christmas?”  This question is sometimes hard to answer because we don’t really need anything.”  What a wonderful opportunity for Christmas to be a time when we can give gifts that will change people’s lives through prayer. Perhaps, you could offer the gift of forgiveness and a resolve to get over past hurts and grudges, or the gift of reconciliation to families or the gift of peace and healing extended to us by the Prince of Peace, who is the Lord Jesus.

Isaiah’s announcement is an eternal gift that we can embrace and offer to others at Christmas time and throughout the year.  

This article is, reprinted with permission from OurPrayer.org.  Copyright 2009 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. To visit OurPrayer.org.

From

We have entered the Lenten Season on the Christian calendar.  It is a season that last forty days when our focus is on having a deeper relationship with the Lord.  The forty days began on Ash Wednesday (February 6, 2008) excluding Sundays until Resurrection Sunday (Easter).  The word Lent comes from an the Old English word “lencten” which means lengthen.  During this time of year the daylight hours are lengthened and we are transitioning from winter to early Spring.  In the early church the forty days of quarantine was a probationary period that was used as preparation for baptismal candidates to be instructed in Christian character and fasting coupled with prayer.  The word quarantine comes from the Latin word for forty.  The number forty has biblical significance in both the Old and New Testaments as times of testing and new beginnings. 

This tradition continues today with many people focusing on their need to transition from old habits and ways that are not pleasing to God and realize that a new commitment is needed that will soar them to new heights.  Just think of what could happen if we could reflect and focus on the condition of our souls for forty days. Could we overcome obstacles that hinder our progress like Jesus did when he was tempted for forty days in the wilderness?  Through prayer and fasting we could make bringing glory and honor to God a priority.  Each day could be an opportunity to recall and be thankful for our Lord’s atoning sacrifice on the cross.  His sacrifice cost him his life, and thank God it is permanent and the results go far beyond forty days.  When we spend time in prayer, we can be assured of results.   This doesn’t mean that prayer is not a challenge for many of us who live hurried lives.   To live a prayerful life requires some form of discipline, which is why focusing on and practicing it for forty days has the potential to put us in position to have a life change that not only changes us, but affects those around us.

Suggestions for you during these forty days: 

1. Begin and end your day with Prayer. 
2. Your prayer can be as simple as thanking God for waking you up and giving you the strength to start a new day, or at the end of the day thanking Him for getting you through the day.
3. Learn how to forgive others.  This is one of the greatest hindrances to prayer.  There are many opportunities in relationships of all sorts to be offended, but it does not help you to harbor bad feelings in your heart. You can begin by praying for those who you find it hard to forgive.
4. Learn to enjoy those whom God has given you to be in relationship with.
5. Keep it simple and conversational.  There is no lingo that you have to learn to pray.  Just pray with adoration for who the Lord is to you, asking forgiveness for yourself and forgiving others, letting your specific requests be known, and praying in the name of Jesus.         

We pray that your time of focusing on prayer will slow you down so that you can enjoy life and all that has been given to you through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This article is, reprinted with permission from OurPrayer.org.  Copyright 2009 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. To visit OurPrayer.org.

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Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day, in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.  It is a season of giving and sharing our love for each other.  It is a season of rejoicing, a season of expectancy, a season to reflect on the reason for the season. It is a season of introspection and reflection.  The season of Christmas kicks off with Advent, which simply means that we are focusing our attention on and preparing our hearts for the Christ child to come into our midst. Whether you are prepared or not, the moment that we have been waiting and preparing for is finally here.  It is Christmas Day when we celebrate the birth of Christ.  Yes, it is true that we have no evidence of any kind regarding the exact date of Jesus’ birth, however His nativity began to be celebrated on December 25 in Rome during the early part of the fourth century. Though an exact date is unknown, we know from scripture that He was born on the day that the angel proclaimed “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”  His birth was the ultimate display of God’s love to the world.  This gift was not given out of compulsion, or because he was forced by popular opinion, but because of God’s love.  The challenge for us may not be in receiving God’s love, but in emulating his character and His heart for giving.  As we give to each other this Christmas, let us give cheerfully, not because we have to, but because of what has been so freely given to us.  The ultimate gift is that God so loved the world that He gave us His Son who is called “Emmanuel” God with us.  We pray that you will receive this special gift of God’s own love and that you will experience the joy and fulfillment that comes by giving.  From all of us at OurPrayer, we wish you the Merriest Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This article is, reprinted with permission from OurPrayer.org.  Copyright 2009 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. To visit OurPrayer.org.

October 18-31, 2009

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In preparation for our 102^nd Holy Convocation, our Presiding Bishop has designated a time of Consecration – to begin on Sunday, October 18 and conclude on Saturday, October 31.  Let us unite in seeking God’s face and petitioning for His glory to be revealed in our upcoming services and activities.

 The link below leads to the Consecration Guide; and all are encouraged to observe the daily prayer items, scripture readings and dietary schedule.  (Be sure to consult your physician before adhering to the dietary restrictions.)

We can expect a mighty outpour to result from this time of prayer and sacrifice before the Lord!

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