OUR PRAYER JOURNAL
Scripture tells us God is holy, holy, holy . . . absolutely pure. So what good is it to pray that God’s name be hallowed – can the prayer of a sinner add anything to a holy God?
Without You, Lord Jesus, we wouldn’t have a prayer! If this were my Prayer Journal then these pages would be blank! We really wouldn’t have a thing to say. Do I really know how To Pray? Personally I need to ASK Jesus to teach me how To Pray. How then could any of us take credit in maintaining a journal of prayer? He is all the more reason To Pray as He taught His disciples To Pray and it has nothing ever to do with Me, My or Mine. Our’s, we and us is Jesus and me. If I said this is “MY” Prayer Journal or “YOUR” Journal instead of “OUR” Prayer Journal, meaning “JESUS’” Prayer. It He that teaches US To Pray. What is Jesus’s is mine by faith. Jesus and Me, the “OUR” moral majority. Change “My” or “Y” in “Your” to “OUR” Prayer Journal. Please Pray with me. Log in and Pray. Did you notice there is neither male nor female, young or old, rich or poor, pretty or ugly, skinny or fat, smart or not-so-smart in His presence. A VERY PRIVATE SECRET PLACE TO BE
PRE FACE TO FACE
Lord Jesus, to face you during this quiet time of day (over 27,000 sunrise/sunsets for me) of intimate private secret place presence far removed from life influence of clutter that demands attention, the desire in the need of you in uninterrupted thoughts that direct our way to you is overwhelming. To your relationship on a higher plane is what we covet. Try to explain this to others outside this arena takes experience more than words. The exercise of your grace in making yourself known in this time meeting with you, listening to your Word and the whisper of your Spirit is a hush to anything that we would have say. Who can tell of all the inner working you do in our very soul, is beyond description. A quiet peaceful resting place where we are fully known, exposed, as you reveal yourself.
Lord, you are an audience of one, even though we all offer up all “OUR” prayers to you Our Father. May we be acceptable to you, and you only alone. Remember years ago as we would come to you? Recapture those unexplained times of intimacy . Those awaking moments early in our days of unspoiled innocence, as we begin the journey of this journal times with you, speaks volumes as we review what you do for each one of us personally, in the life of your child.
In this coming again and again into your presence, promise of molding and shaping us, conformed into the image of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. To know you more and more each day making us to be just like you, Lord Jesus. May it be! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
More of you, more of you, Jesus, I need more of you.
Heredity of your Holiness, an inherit trait of Jesus. We behold your glory. If we have the same mind you do; “Let this mind be in you that is Christ Jesus.” Then what did you have in mind for us to pray to “OUR FATHER”? What do you mean for us ‘TO PRAY”? Secret place closet praying.
Hypocrites love praying on street corners, to be seen of men, they have their reward. Note: to be like or liked, to convince men. They are not changed by their much repetitious prayers they have all heard before. Too much talk, little listening. Private place prayers rewards in open obedience of receiving what we have asked for in behalf of others.
When you teach us to pray “OUR”, you are here along side, in us, saying “OUR FATHER”. In fact you said to say that based upon your own Sonship. We are also included when we say in confidence of that fact, you are who you say you are, and include us in your relationship with Our Father.
Please add to this discussion To Pray. Blog unto topray@ourprayerjournal.com Your comments welcomed. Pray with us online.
We grasp but a thread of the garment of prayer; we reel at the thought of His infinite care; We cannot conceive of a God who will say: “Be careful for nothing; in everything pray.” (Farrell)
Our highest privilege is to talk to God; Our highest duty is to listen to Him.
OUR PRAYER JOURNAL
We are an answer to Jesus’ prayer!
When we say. . . “Our Father.”
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa.55:8,9)
Therefore: Do we understand our answers too our prayers the way we think? We didn’t even pray as we ought. (how, why or should)
Nevertheless:
Thy will be done – is it?
Thy Kingdom come – has it?
A Hallowed name – where?
Give us – greed and need met?
Forgive us – is guilt gone?
Lead us – are we in trouble?
Deliver us – can you stop sinning?
Should we continue this prayer?
Is it worthwhile to pray?
Does prayer our way depend on what we ask or think is successful in our praying?
Do we fear failure in praying? Should we look for answers to our prayers according to the way we think and feel? As we understand it; our way and our thoughts? Who else could answer our prayers? Are we really and answer to prayer? As Jesus prays for us?
Do we see “US” in answer to “OUR” prayer?
Does Faithfulness = Faith?
“I Believe!” (Coming to Him in confidence. “He is able”)
“Then He came unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry you here, and watch with me. And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.
And He came unto His disciples, and found them asleep, and said to Peter, what could you not watch with me one hour? (intimacy) Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: (good reason to be in a secret place o prayer) the Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may pass away except I drink it, Your will be done.
And He came and found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy. And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.” (Mt.26:38-44)
When we pray is it for selfish results? (Selfish reasons) “Let this cup pass?”
Do we feel prayers are not answered when bad things happen to good people?
Do we fear failure on our praying when the opposite is happening?
Perhaps we had not prayed “As we ought” (Would He find us watching?)
Sense of duty? “Watch and Wait.”
“OUR” LORD’S DAILY PRAYER JOURNAL
What if Oprah had you on the book of the month club with your prayer journal and were asked to illustrate any effect the fervency of your daily meditation with the Almighty has made on your constant elite ideas and writing influenced?
Most of her books deal in novel fiction for the touchy feely crowd. Made them laugh or cry. You read their books and say “that’s right”; “that’s the way it is”, or “isn’t that wonderful”?, “She’s beautiful”, wishing that would be your experience. But now in your daily prayer journal you experience personal presence with the Almighty and what He is doing in your life that is real episodes poured out like fragrant, crushed spice. Much more different than fictitious romance novels is the quest for good fiction from a Christian worldview.
Could you say that over the years much availability in pursuit of private prayer time mattered? Practiced presence with the Almighty made any difference? How?
Your answer:
1. Personal effect in maintaining relationships with God and others you are praying for with commitments to them; “Our Father”, our spouse, our family, friends and neighbors. With response with what is happening in our Nation and around the world.
2. Effecting attitudes toward the Almighty and how you live out His life in what you do and say you will do. Our very “BE”ing. In essence, our existence.
3. In thinking, motivation to moral excellence and open to admit differences; pure, lovely, good virtues, praiseworthy thoughts.
One more thing; that the daily crushing in confession of who you admittedly pretend to “BE”, produces like spice fragrantly arising in a sweet aroma to God’s throne room and stays there. Our prayers do not evaporate. That’s why we wait and watch. Answers do come.
Make a list of all the good things He gives us this day. Answers to prayer for the “OUR” listed in our daily journal. That may include entire Nations; “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all Nations.”
It seems to me to practice His presence, rely on Him, trusting Him, “BE”ing aware of His Word at work in you; you cannot be distracted with a busy mind on trivial tasks or interests that take you away from His presence. One does not have to be a monk to avoid being sidelined. To “Let this mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus” Doing the Father’s will, Hallowing His name, rule and reign in whose image you really exist; your true identity!
Remember Jesus – “I always do what the Father does.” “I must be about my Fathers house” (business, not just carpentry at twelve years old) Think! What is it that gets in the way of that? Engrossed in a book of fiction? Involved in a game of chance? What is on your mind bigger than life? His life? Where are our discussions leading? Can you be doing “whatever”; And not setting your mind on Him with your whole self being immersed in the subject at hand? Not being double minded, doing several things at once. Weighed in the balance and found wanting. “A mind fixed on Him.”
“BE”ing “DO”ing
His thoughts Busy thoughts
(while you) (focused)
Bake a cake Read a novel
Drive a car Play a game
Shopping Watch a movie
Pay bills Make plans
Invest time Spend time
“To be or not to be is the question.”
Did you ever read a novel so good that you became engrossed in the story; you became a part of it and were oblivious to your surroundings? Is that the time you are not filled with His thoughts, but the thoughts of the fiction writer? Entertained, Lord, forgive us and thank you for deliverance back to your realm of reality, Holy and clean. Reform us into your imagination; immerse us into the image of your Son.
(children sing)
“O be careful little eyes what you see”
“O be careful little eyes what you see”
“For the Father up above is looking down in Love”
“O be careful little eyes what you see”
Ears – hear, Hands – do, Feet – go, Tongue – say, etc.
We pray in such a way to portray an image that would identify us with the one whom we are addressing.
To God – “After this manner”
To others – saying things I may think and feel would be liked by them.
To impress your image (imagination) by name dropping, they know – you know. Or similarities, they like – you like. (people, places or things)
Why is it we so much like to be liked? To be like the one whom we are addressing? (praying to) What is it makes us motivated to be identified with the one to whom we are talking to? When we walk and talk with others could we address them “after this manner”? Praiseworthy, anything I can do for them? Ask forgiveness or give forgiveness, looking for a way out of trouble, or evil? Many years of daily secret place prayers are on record; “stored up”, “harp”, “vials poured out”. “a sweet smelling savor”. “crushed spice”. When our prayers go up to you, Our Father, coming from a sincere heart, it rises up to your nostrils, in your presence and stays there. The more prayers we add, the more they collect in Heaven. Our prayers do not evaporate, they remain before you. (Who said this – Max Lucado?) “Your house is a house of prayer”. You know “We are a temple of your Holy Spirit” – “A Cathedral, not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens”. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer”. In this frequent face-to-face conversation, during these times of intimate talks, O Lord, give us instruction, as we listen to your heart. Because of what you have done for us, and because your Spirit, Holy, clean and reverent dwells within us, we can enjoy special friendship and closeness with you; Our purpose of “BE”ing. Thank you, Our Father. “By sacrificing whole-burnt offerings and aromatic incense to God daily, morning and evening prayers, setting our fresh holy bread on a clean table, and lighting lamps on golden stands every night. We continue doing what told us to do in the way He told us to do it. But, you have rid yourselves of Him.” (Context: II Chronicles 13: 10-12)
O Lord, please help us to never, ever, be rid of you. Without you we are lost. “You never ever leave us or forsake us”. You are never rid of us. Where would we go, you have the words of life? If we depart, there remains no more sacrifice for our sins.
To Pray takes discipline. It was one of the disciples who’s rush to ask Jesus to teach “US” “TO PRAY”. We need to pray, but how? His asking for us tells of our need and our desire to pray.
1. Admit our need to pray, like Jesus. Do we really know how? What is lacking? Are we confident our prayer gets any higher than the ceiling? Does this secret place to pray fulfill our need of intimacy with Our Father?
2. Our Spiritual “BE”ing made Holy in His presence is what we ask. What rewards do we see in openly expressing what you have already said in private when asked to make it public? Do we come out of our closet to make known what is practiced in private?
3. We pray to “Our Father’. we “Hallow His name”, “His Kingdom comes”, “His will Done”, He “Gives us”, Forgives us”, Leads us’, and “Delivers us”.
It is all about Him! It is His life in us that gives Him glory.
My Utmost For His Highest – (Oswald Chambers)
Praying to God in Secret
When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place . . .
—Matthew 6:6
The primary thought in the area of religion is— keep your eyes on God, not on people. Your motivation should not be the desire to be known as a praying person. Find an inner room in which to pray where no one even knows you are praying, shut the door, and talk to God in secret. Have no motivation other than to know your Father in heaven. It is impossible to carry on your life as a disciple without definite times of secret prayer.
“When you pray, do not use vain repetitions . . .” ( Matthew 6:7 ). God does not hear us because we pray earnestly— He hears us solely on the basis of redemption. God is never impressed by our earnestness. Prayer is not simply getting things from God— that is only the most elementary kind of prayer. Prayer is coming into perfect fellowship and oneness with God. If the Son of God has been formed in us through regeneration (see Galatians 4:19 ), then He will continue to press on beyond our common sense and will change our attitude about the things for which we pray.
“Everyone who asks receives . . .” ( Matthew 7:8 ). We pray religious nonsense without even involving our will, and then we say that God did not answer— but in reality we have never asked for anything. Jesus said, “. . . you will ask what you desire . . .” ( John 15:7 ). Asking means that our will must be involved. Whenever Jesus talked about prayer, He spoke with wonderful childlike simplicity. Then we respond with our critical attitude, saying, “Yes, but even Jesus said that we must ask.” But remember that we have to ask things of God that are in keeping with the God whom Jesus Christ revealed. (Oswald Chambers)
What do you say? BLOG GOD A site where your prayer matters. “Stored up!”
topray@ourprayerjournal.com
PRAYER – Preston Gillham
Prayer takes many forms, just as normal communication does. While the subjects of my routine prayer times tend to be rather random and far ranging, my morning prayer is ritualistic by design. It is important for me to make a determination to depend upon and trust Father–regardless.
There have also been times in my life when my prayer life benefited from a formula. The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6 provides a model I have appreciated. It begins, “Our Father who art in Heaven.” This is a great opener. It reminds us who we are addressing and how He prefers to be addressed. True, He is God, but Jesus set the precedent for us when He called God, “Father.”
The next line, “Hallowed be Thy name,” is a guide reminding us that Father appreciates hearing our compliments and recognition that He truly is a magnificent individual. To be candid, I like hearing the same sort of thing from those around me. Why would Father–in whose image we are created–not appreciate hearing our celebration of who He is?
“Thy kingdom come. / Thy will be done, / On earth as it is in heaven,” reads verse ten. This is the opportunity to respond to who Father is with your hopeful desire that His reign will extend into all areas of your life. In this you declare your allegiance to Him. “Father, please reign over my world, but more personally, please reign in my life today.”
When Jesus modeled in prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread,” He was leading us to understand that our Father is the one who cares for us. We do not care for ourselves or meet our own needs. What are the issues before you? What are your concerns? What is on your mind? Discuss these matters with Father.
When reciting the model prayer orally in a group, unless the group recites these verses together regularly, then a third of the folks say “trespasses,” a third say “debts,” and a third mumble not knowing what to say. Either way, this is the point at which we talk with Father about the matters that plague us with failure. Of course, Jesus was modeling this prayer prior to the accomplishment of our forgiveness through His sacrifice, but there is always benefit in understanding our shortcomings and owning them. “Father, I failed to act as the person you have declared me to be. I’m sorry.”
Our enemy, the devil, is alive and well. While we live in a sensory world, the real world is spiritual, and it is a dangerous, world at war. “Deliver us from evil,” Jesus prayed. In other words, call upon Father to protect you, to guard your heart, to watch over you, and help you rest in your security in Christ.
“For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” Circumstantially, it appears to be bad for the home team. By voicing His confidence in Father’s authority, Christ modeled His hope in the One who is all powerful. He then sealed His prayer with finality, “Amen.”
More than anything else our Father wants to communicate with us. Prayer is the catch-all term for the forums where this takes place. Talk, but listen too. Tell Him you are listening. Ask Him to help your proficiency at recognizing His voice. Look for Him in His word. In your heart, discuss His will with Him as you read, listen, and pray.
Pursue His lead. Hope in Him. He says He will never leave you and that there is not a place so remote that He will not join you. He will meet you anytime, anywhere, regarding any subject. Think of interacting with Him as you would your closest, dearest friend. After all, He also says He is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. “May my prayer be set before you like incense.” (Ps.141:1,2) I Love your Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, O my soul rejoice, Take joy my King, in what you hear, may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear. “Don’t you know you are a temple of the Holy Spirit?” “His house shall be called a house of prayer.” “And he took the scroll, the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each with a harp and golden vial filled with incense – the prayers of God’s people!” (Rev.5:8)
“A sweet smelling savor.” A sense of what Jesus has done in providing forgiveness. ”We are to God the fragrance of Christ.” (II Cor.2:15) “He was bruised for our iniquities.”
My sin, O my sin, my Savior is laid upon you, to be crushed for me. ”Myrrh” (separated for royalty) “Frankincense” (pure Holiness) for His bride, the church.
Our essence of “BE”ing – Incense – savor – fragrance (crushed spice) sweet confession, Godly sorrow for sin . . . “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” “Against you and you only have I sinned.” “. . . leads to repentance unto salvation.”
“Likewise the Spirit also helps our infimities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. And He that searches the heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom.8:26,27)
If we are to have the same mind of Christ, “let this mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus,” then what did He men when He said we were to pray like this: “Our Father”? What does He have in mind for us to pray as He taught His followers.
Jesus says we may say “OUR FATHER”, in fact To Pray that based upon His own Sonship. We are also included when we say in confidence of that fact, He is who He says He is, and has included us in His relationship with Our Father.
“Be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray.” (I Pet.4:7b) Dear Lord Jesus, I have never written a Love Letter to you. What can I say? It is You who have Loved me from the start. Your Spirit came into me the moment I trusted You as my Savior. You are such a comfort to me, never to leave me, always there helping me. Yes, sure your Holy Spirit corrects me, mostly from your Word when I need it. I thank you for forgiving me when I hurt You with my actions. You never forsake me. You never hide your face from me. It’s me who buries their face in our hands in shame. You give me confidence to come to You just as I AM because of Your forgiveness; sin is forgotten, removed, hid and buried making me as a son of “Our Father”. It is because You choose to Love me this way. I Love You Jesus for giving me a right to be a part of the family of God. We are Pure and clean, a Holy person in Your presence. That is how You make me feel when I AM with You. I want to be all Yours, I need you to help me serve You. I want to know more about You each day Lord Jesus. Why is it I fail so often? Is it because of others around me do not see You as I do, to recognize that You are in me. Or is it their criticism gets to me and I feel like a failure? They always say negative things about us. They seem to never be aware of any virtue or positive traits in our relationship. Maybe that is why I need more of You, to feel Your presence and encouragement with Your Words to me. They come all day long from a song or spoken and written words of Your Love for me. The World including member of my own family can’t recognize You and would shut you out. But when I AM with You. It brings me acceptance and comfort to know that I AM Loved by You. Thank You Jesus! You are always working on me, wanting to change me for the better. The way You would like to see me. Sometimes I hurts me when I fail to see You leading me or am too busy doing my on thing and winding up in a jam. Help me to be more careful in watching and waiting for You to come to me, to pay attention to You. I Love You Lord Jesus because you first Loved me. I Adore You! Thank You, Your Bride. http://peggiesplace.gospelcom.net/fathershouse.htm topray@ourprayerjournal.com your comments.
May 13, 2005More Than Wishing Read:
Matthew 6:5-15 Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. —Matthew 6:8 Bible In One Year: Psalm 97-99 |
As a child, C. S. Lewis enjoyed reading the books of E. Nesbit, especially Five Children and It. In this book, brothers and sisters on a summer holiday discover an ancient sand fairy who grants them one wish each day. But every wish brings the children more trouble than happiness because they can’t foresee the results of getting everything they ask for. The Bible tells us to make our requests known to God (Philippians 4:6). But prayer is much more than telling God what we want Him to do for us. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He began by reminding them, “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). What we call “The Lord’s Prayer” is more about living in a growing, trusting relationship with our heavenly Father than about getting what we want from Him. As we grow in faith, our prayers will become less of a wish list and more of an intimate conversation with the Lord. Toward the end of his life, C. S. Lewis wrote, “If God had granted all the silly prayers I’ve made in my life, where should I be now?”
Prayer is placing ourselves in the presence of God to receive from Him what we really need. —David McCasland We grasp but a thread of the garment of prayer;
We reel at the thought of His infinite care;
We cannot conceive of a God who will say:
“Be careful for nothing; in everything pray.” —FarrellOur highest privilege is to talk to God; our highest duty is to listen to Him
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Listen; what do you hear? A still small voice, saying ”this is the way”, you “walk in it”. ”Lord, speak, your sevant is listening.”
Mat 6:9-13 (NIV) “THIS IS HOW YOU SHOULD PRAY: (Phi) “PRAY THEN LIKE THIS–
Oswald Chambers
My Utmost for His Highest
The Purpose of Prayer
. . . one of His disciples said to Him, ’Lord, teach us TO PRAY . . .’
—Luke 11:1
Prayer is not a normal part of the life of the natural man. We hear it said that a person’s life will suffer if he doesn’t pray, but I question that. What will suffer is the life of the Son of God in him, which is nourished not by food, but by prayer. When a person is born again from above, the life of the Son of God is born in him, and he can either starve or nourish that life. Prayer is the way that the life of God in us is nourished. Our common ideas regarding prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer simply as a means of getting things for ourselves, but the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself.
“Ask, and you will receive . . .” ( John 16:24 ). We complain before God, and sometimes we are apologetic or indifferent to Him, but we actually ask Him for very few things. Yet a child exhibits a magnificent boldness to ask! Our Lord said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” ( Matthew 18:3 ). Ask and God will do. Give Jesus Christ the opportunity and the room to work. The problem is that no one will ever do this until he is at his wits’ end. When a person is at his wits’ end, it no longer seems to be a cowardly thing to pray; in fact, it is the only way he can get in touch with the truth and the reality of God Himself. Be yourself before God and present Him with your problems— the very things that have brought you to your wits’ end. But as long as you think you are self-sufficient, you do not need to ask God for anything. To say that “prayer changes things” is not as close to the truth as saying, “Prayer changes me and then I change things.” God has established things so that prayer, on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at things. Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a person’s inner nature.
The apostles said, “We will give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” Their ministry was powerful for that reason. On the day of Pentecost, three thousand were converted under the preaching of the Word in the same city where Christ was crucified less than two months earlier. Ten days of prayer prepared for that great day of harvest Fulfilling the mandate – (Bill Gothard)
1. SUPPLICATIONS
WE (“OUR” Nation, neighbors, Church, home, school, world)
WE begin our appeal to a Holy God with recognition that WE have broken His laws, defied His Authority, and blasphemed His name. WE are deserving of nothing but His swift judgment. Explained in Deuteronomy 28.
His final and most severe judgment is the breakup of the family so that there is separation between husbands and wives, children and parents, grandparents and grandchildren. Unwise leaders, calamities, diseases and debt are also judgments of God upon a community and Nation.
God promises that if WE humble OURselves, turn from OUR wicked ways, confess OUR sins, and seek His face, He will hear OUR Prayers and heal OUR land. (See II Chronicles 7:14)
A Prayer of Supplication (Daniel 9:17-19)
2. PRAYERS (As He taught US To Pray – His say so!)
· Prayer is asking God to fulfill His Word and will, not our selfish desires. (See James 4:3)
· A “burden” is signal that God is waiting to fulfill a specific prayer. (see Nehemiah 1)
· “Effectual” prayer is the Holy Spirit praying Scripture through US to God. (See Romans 8:27)
· Prayer is answered immediately; a process of seeking and finding may follow. (See Matthew 7:7)
· When two agree in faith and pray, God breaks the power of satan. (See Matthew 18:19)
3. INTERCESSIONS
· Intercession is breaking satan’s influence in another persons life. (See Luke 22:3,32)
· Intercession is placing a “hedge of protection” around a Godly person’s life. (See Job1:10)
· Intercession is placing a “hedge of thorns” around a rebellious person’s life. (See Hosea 2:6)
· Intercession is required by God. (See I Samuel 12:23)
· Intercession protects from common pitfalls.
To be continued – Ten Dangers That Cause Leaders to Fail.
4. THANKSGIVING
· For the power of the names of Jehovah.
· For God, the Father of OUR Lord Jesus Christ.
· For Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for US.
· For the Holy Spirit, Who convict, teaches and guides.
· For the wisdom of God and His laws.
· For mercy, grace and Holiness of God.
· For patience and long suffering of God.
· For peace that comes under wise leadership.
· For family, church, government, employer.
· For civil leaders as “ministers of God for good.”
· For protection of law enforcement officers.
· For Spiritual care from church leaders.
· For diligence of company founders.
· For public utilities and community order.
To “ASK” is to question?
WHO – “OUR”? “FATHER”? “ART?
WHAT – “HALLOWED”? “BE”? “THY NAME”?
WHEN – “KINGDOM COME”? “WILL DONE”? “THIS DAY”? “DAILY”?
WHERE – “IN US AS IN HEAVEN”?
WHY – “THINE IS THE POWER AND GLORY”?
HOW – “GIVE US”? “FORGIVE US”? “LEAD US”? “DELIVER US”?
Were there no God, we would be in this world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank.” (Christine RTossetti 1830-1894)
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. (how sad) (Ezekiel 23:30)
“What, could you not watch with me one hour?” Jesus leaves the disciples asleep.
“And He spoke a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray, and not faint; saying there was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city and she came unto him, saying, avenge me my adversary. And he would not for awhile; but afterwards he said within himself, though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me, and the Lord said, hear what the unjust judge says, and shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry out day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily, nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Lk.18:1-8)
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Tim.2:1-5)
“And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have opportunity let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household faith.” (Gal.6:9,10)
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph.6:18)
“Pray without ceasing.” I Thess.5:17)
“Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” (Eph.1:16)
“And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truthfully, I truly say unto you, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you. Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ASK, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (Jn.16:23,24)
ASK
SEEK
KNOCK
“And I say unto you, ASK, and it shall be given you; SEEK, and you will find; KNOCK, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” (Lk.11:9,10)
Lord, your disciple wants to know how we can talk to you. Are we to pray like others pray? Like someone “crying in the wilderness”, looking to find you, knowing you are coming? (read in context of Luke 11). Crying out loud in repentance to be prepared for the “Way of the Lord.”
Do we look to you or should we be looking for someone else? You seem to fit all we need. Yes, Our need “TO PRAY” (as we ought). The discipline of intimate words with you Jesus. Surely you know we need you, desperate to know you, to speak, to love, to show and tell, to shower you with all our desire. Our desire is “TO PRAY” as you teach your disciple “TO PRAY”. We admit our need of confidence in approaching “OUR FATHER”. Other disciples seem to have it all together when addressing you, but we are not as sure of ourselves, so we ask you, because we know you came out of “OUR FATHER” and always do as He asks. We desire to pray as you pray.
Our brokenness is in not knowing our position in prayer. Not necessarily to kneel, with hand raised, or to cry out loud, etc., but in our approaching you. Is it in our mind to agree with what our heart is telling us, we belong to you? Your Holy Spirit says we are yours and you are “OURS”, in constant conversation with “That still small voice” telling us, yes! It is you, Lord Jesus, you to whom we are praying to. To Pray – to say – “OUR FATHER”, as you know we know, our need to belong. You never, ever, leave or forsake us. You enter our very “BE”ing when we call out to you. Help us continue before our prayers evaporate into the day. This time meeting with you, bottle up the essence, “The sweet smelling savor” of our prayers and keeping a lid on them even when we can’t recall, so that they remain where we intended them to stay, in your presence.
Father, does our prayer revolve around behavior? Does it have a lot to do with what I do? Is it in what I see others are doing? Do I pray what I am seeing, what I judge? I am aware of all that goes on around me, all day long. I am looking for you. What is it with my spouse and our kids? As I approach you I am guessing what is going on with my neighbors, here at home in our country and those in other nations. My honest guess is it has more to do with what I think than you dear Lord. My mind is full of words, chosen by what I believe. The shift of focus from who you are and what you are doing in our world, or it seems, not doing what I think should be done, gets back to me and my worldview, rather than not seeing you at work and those whom we’ve been talking to you about. Evil exists, sickness persists, the poor are still poor, ignorant still do not want to know anything. Why so much hate? Can’t we see you, instead of avoiding you? I confess I need you more than they. It is not they that need you to master our living, it is I, myself. Oh, Holy Spirit, keep us awake and aware of your presence in those around us who we may touch. Surround us with your love and forgiveness. May we not rub each other the wrong way, that would make us bristle, but help us to see you alive and well on planet earth in others today. I spy, I am looking for you!
To draw our attention away from you Lord, to focus on our self and our needs, takes away from the face-to-face devotion we desire when we come to you. Intimate contact with the Almighty is the awesome place we want, being near you. Anything that would distract us from that is less than perfect. A mind fixed on you is the closeness you desire of us. You said, “If we would draw near to you, you would be near to us.”. This bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, ABBA, Papa, daddy; the nearness of you, radiates warmth, a desire to love you, your touch, to cling, to grasp, to hug, to hang unto you seeing you face to face, not in our boldness to rush in where a Angels fear to tread, but like the Angels, welcomed in your presence, to worship in the joy of praise, offering thanksgiving of gratitude just being in your family, for all you’ve done to allow us to be near you, God of creation, who made us to know you.
Father, we love you, we worship and adore you, Glorify your name in all the earth; Glorify your name, glorify your name, glorify your name in all the earth.
PRAYER IS RELATIONSHIP
It’s an ongoing conversation between you and me – two people who want to get to know each other better.
Sure, I don’t mind you asking for things, Daddies like that. They just don’t want to be all about responding to requests.
I want you to talk to me about what you love and what you hate. I want you to thank Me for the things I do for you and ask Me what I want for you. I want you to forgive Me and hear Me when I forgive you.
When you don’t get what you want, I understand your anger and frustration. But I want you to know Me well enough that you come to Me and say how angry you are, and you can hear Me say, “I know, and I love you. And even though you are angry now, I AM doing what is best for you because you are My child. I can’t help by want the best for you.”
I want your prayer times to be times when you sense my love AND experience My joy.
I want to reach out into the cell structure and electric impulses going on in your incredible mind that I made for you, and I want you to walk away at times knowing exactly what I have said. And at times, I want you to walk away and have no idea what I have in mind for you. That way, you can trust Me and talk to Me all day and all week and all you life.
I don’t want prayer to be just those times you get alone and spend a few minutes or a few hours. I wish for it to be CONSTANT in your life. I want you to feel and know that I AM walking with you every second. And because I AM there, you can’t help but notice and chat about almost every little thing that crosses your path.
And there will be times, because of who you are BECOMING and because of who I AM, that you will go to your closet or your room or your bed, and you will cry out and I will answer; And My touch will make your insides shake and your heart pound and tears flow uncontrollably. And you will lie there in awe and be speechless because you KNOW I AM there.
After you’ve experienced those times with Me, our relationship will never be the same. We will meet on a different plane, and we will walk, and we will talk, and your petitions will be fewer, and your praises will be greater; And it won’t matter so much to you anymore that it rains or it doesn’t . . . and Christmas will be tomorrow every day.
Watch and Wait – “One Hour?”
Redemption is Key to intercession – Reason behind His affliction: Resurrection. If Jesus’ only prayer was that He should not have to go through the cross, and if that prayer were answered; where would we be? Would we still be lost in our sins with no hope? Do we see answers to prayer when we pray – NEVERTHELESS?
Answers to Our Lord Jesus’ prayer:
Alone in the Garden
Disciples abandon Him
Peter denies Him
They crucify Him.
No that is not what He prayed to avoid.
Sure those things did happen. (He knew and yet did not pray about what was to happen to Him and His disciples)
His prayer was: “Thy will be done” not “Let this cup pass from me; (struggle)
“NEVERTHELESS” Three times “Your will be done”
Your will be done in us as it is done in Heaven.
And Give us this day what we need for that to be done; to live the life of your Son, Our Savior, all over again in these bodies of ours by being Lord and Master of all we do and say, so that Your name may be Hallowed.
Apparent answers to prayer require: “NEVERTHELESS” in: “Your will be done”, When we think it is not being done; “Lead Us”, and we think we are in control of ourselves. We would rather do it our self. We been college and got knowledge and can handle it our self. “Deliver Us”, and it seems Evil forces are growing; we ask forgiveness and ask repulsive to others who do exactly the same sins we are guilty of. Where is that Godly Love? When is His name “Hallowed” in us, or Christ in charge of our lives when we ask Him to be our King? Are our needs met when wee ask Him to “Give Us This Day?”
Do we pray – NEVERTHELESS?
Why is it fear of failure in praying when foolish sinful thoughts enter our mind? Eyelids get heavy? Our desire is for pure excellent thinking and up pops impure thoughts? We drive it out so it will not nest there.
IT takes – ‘NEVER-THE-LESS”
· In praying this prayer
· Being faithful
· Claiming victory and deliverance from the evil one
· Intimacy with the Almighty
· Lord, Being our Master.
“WATCH AND PRAY THAT YOU ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION. THE SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK.”
The desperate cry out! (Spiritual Sweat and tears) “Jesus cried out with tears to Him who is able to save Him from death.” (Heb.5:7)
Watch and Wait – “One Hour?”
Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (C.S. Lewis, notes)
“The increasing list of people (places & events) to be prayed for is, nevertheless, one of the burdens of old age. I have a scruple about crossing anyone off the list. When I say a scruple. I mean precisely a scruple. I don’t think that if one prays for a man at all it is a duty to pray for him all my life. But when it comes to dropping him now, this particular day, it somehow goes against the grain. And as the list lengthens, it is hard to make it more than just a string of names. But herein to some measure – a curious law comes into play. Don’t you find that, if you keep your mind fixed upon God, you will automatically think of the person you are praying for; but that there is no tendency for it to work the other way around?”
Sometimes there may not even be a name of reference, as in this lengthy journal listing, only a mental picture of that person from memory, or a place or a event request. I don’t think this is what Lewis refers to in “wordless” praying. However avoiding names and substituting mental images. “is best.” Ready made prayers, keep in touch with sound doctrine, reminds one of “what to ask” (especially for others), keeps urgent in perspective with necessities, provides ceremony (agenda), corrective one sided view, reverence. A good reason for a secret place, journey in a Journal of Prayer. (R.C.)
Written logs, journals, reminders of lengthy lists.
“Out of sight, out of mind.”
Absence (does not) make the heart grow fonder. Did you ever forget someone or fail to remember them in prayer, (you never crossed them off the list) and then all of a sudden, the Lord brings them back into your life? Separated small group rejoined. (ie: reunions, contacts, thoughts, etc.) What do you do now with old family of friends?
A mind fixed on Our Father – He will automatically cause the remembrance. A desire to pray as you did before during the times of intimacy of relationship at the time of involvement (family, extended family, schoolmates, neighbors, co-workers) has not changed. Your desire to pray as you did then is renewed because of the earlier memory.
There is a similar desire as before for Godly action and intervention on their behalf. There is a sense of shame in that past misrepresentation of God at work in lifestyle being unresolved in time of correction. You really meant God’s best for them then and now, except for that sin that ruined any response to answer that call to prayer. (ie: spousal coming together after times of separation)
Another function comes into play when meeting old friends once prayed for. In addition to sometimes warm greeting there is inspiration to Holy boldness even with old wounds that asserts a desire for Godly intervention
Do You have a Prayer? (Luke 11:1)
“One of His disciples asked Him ‘teach us To Pray.” Was he the only one who felt he needed to know to pray? Did he know how to pray? What was John teaching his disciples to pray that Jesus’ disciple wanted? What did the other disciples know about praying? Did they all have a prayer? Do we have a prayer? Do we have a felt need To Pray?
Don’t’ misunderstand the need To Pray from our felt needs. There is a difference if our desire is To Pray as Jesus’ taught His disciples and in asking for needs in particular. “Is any sick among you?” “Ask, Seek, Knock.” “Ask that your joy may be full.” “You have not because you ask not.” “”Ask and you shall receive.” Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Do you see? Our requests are answered in our prayer To Pray as Jesus taught us To Pray.
Prayer depends on God being “Our” Father; Those who you pray for and those who shall believe. We are awed by Him working in our lives. Our King! We want Him to come in every situation to rule and reign. That’s why we want to do as He asks us. We wish to be Heavenly!
This is the now aspect of our prayer. We want everything to be Heavenly. There is a tendency to be impatient and perfect according to our wishes. Our sense of worth is dependent upon it. We ask to give us today what is necessary for that to be so; to be fed daily from His Word, the bread of life has little to do with our expectancy. That’s why we need His lead to find escape from the troubles and trials of our world. The big “But” is ever present during our time of need. Deliver us from the evil is real. Our source is in His Kingdom in us. “Christ in you, your hope of glory.” He has Authority of the Almighty power to have it happen and it gives Him glory to do it just the way He planned it. It may take forever!
So, do we pray as we ought? It is all about Him! We do have a prayer.
Jesus asks His disciples to “Watch and Pray.”
Teach us “To Pray”.
What is it that quickly gets our attention? Where are we running off to? Distractions, frustrations, lust, greed, fill our days. We are filled with feeding at the trough of self-indulgence, our affections and appetites. Our plates are full of tastes of the world. Look at us now, barns all filled; Solomon was not as arrayed as our grandchildren. From early until late we respond to emergency, the urgent. Duty calls, hungry, angry we meet the challenge of the moment. We arise and go, drawing us away to our own love of what satisfies.
The arousal of emotion that beats in our hearts, feelings that fill us up with what entertains. Surface relationships, short term interests, escapes from reality take us into spaces of happiness based upon happenings. To be honest with ourselves, to get real with where we are headed, being brutal in our assessment of why we do what we do for enjoyment. We want to admit to where real joy is. Believe what is true, clean and decent. Care for what God cares about. “Casting all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.” Where do we go, but to the Lord? Who is the Maker and the Master of our living? These first love thoughts about you, Jesus, makes us blush in confession of whatever separates us. We feel forgiven, cleansed and in your presence, accepted during this secret quiet time place being alone with you. What we ask for ourselves we ask for others who would cry out to you too, knowing you hear us and answer any who ask. This is just who you are; it has very little to do with our asking, it is what you have created us for; to bring glory to your name.
“OUR FATHER” What is it that gets in the way of your way?
Should we stop praying?
Do we see a loss of “In Touch” with the Almighty when we discover our mind is blank concerning Him? We are caught up in the details of living that seem to be important enough to squeeze Him out of our thoughts.
We get caught up in stuff to do and in memories of old stuff long gone. Why is it keeps coming up again and again? The regurgitated remembrances get in the way of pure excellent thinking and cancel out confessions and commitments. Hasn’t correction been complete? Isn’t it fixed?
Schedules and plans compete for attention to who I really “AM” and how I got to “BE”, who “I AM” (like in ’I AM who ‘I AM”). He brought us safely to this point through confusion to confession knowing where we belong and whose we are. We need to maintain the face of God and not muddle up with good intentions (stuff to do). We need to be made fit for God; A Son! Not some sense of duty or idea of what we think a Christian life should look like (appearances).
“OUR” aim: “Thy will be done”; knowing when we have a dead set purpose of “BE”ing a disciple and get in the way of HIS purpose. He does the choosing, not us.
I AM that I AM, that’s who “I AM”. Let go and let God engineer our goings. Not that I got God and I go, but that He has got me and I go. Resting in the promise “I AM with you always. . .” He was there all the time.
Praying in the Spirit, not conscious prayers.
“We know not what we should pray as we ought, but He the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” (Rom.8:26)
Are we there yet? “HE (the Spirit who lives in you) makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
The Holy Spirit Himself prays in us prayers, which we could never utter. For us it is unthinkable. Lord, how could we pray as you taught us TO PRAY? (Lk.11:1)
Can we find that which searches our hearts, to know the prayer of the Holy Spirit?
“My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.”
“Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?”
Conscious of this fact; “What manner of persons ought we TO BE? (our responsibility)
To BE or not to BE?. The real question. “OUR” Secret place of prayer?
If not; than forgiveness and cleansing, if we confess. (I Jn.1:9)
God’s Holy Spirit will look after the unconscious part that we know nothing about. Our discovery is in Jesus! “He must increase and I must decrease.” He is worthy!
(The Chamber, Oswald and Dad)
Question? Is it the place that is the secret or the prayers? Kept a secret from whom? Is it the dwelling or under the shadow of the Almighty? Is it behind closed eyelids or closed doors?
Prayer as evangelism “OUR” “Not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance.” (II Pet.3:9)
“OUR” What?
Who is the “OUR”?
When is the “OUR” Ours?
Where is the “OUR”?
Why “OUR”. Anyhow?
How is the “OUR” possible?
THIMK! (misspelled to make you stop and think!)
We do not go unnoticed by the God who made universe; we are special to Him, made in His Image. In fact, the Word that made the Heavens and “OUR” world also made us. We are significant to Him. To know, to think, to feel His presence in us is not arrogance, it is the truth. His Word says – Christ is “in me” and I AM in Him.”
I remember as a child I would hear my mother say in describing members of our family as our Donald or our Doris, etc. I picked up on that and when talking about a family member I too would often say or Donald or whatever. Why? Was I conditioned by my Mom to say “OUR” that would include me in our family relationship?
Later a playmate called me on what I was saying and without thinking about it, I was embarrassed and discontinued using that term, “OUR”, when talking about my brothers and sisters. But now, when talking to “OUR” Father God, I always include them all in praying to “OUR” Father, because of His inclusive inheritance.
Jesus’ prayer includes “US” in praying as He taught US To Pray To Say “OUR” Father. The all-inclusive future term WE that “shall believe” from John 17.
Lord, in “OUR” journey of prayer, TO PRAY as you ask US To Pray on behalf of those listed here in “OUR” Daily Prayer Journal, WE first recognize the WE are Yours and that You are “OUR” Father. In our Journal we have a string of names that get longer as the years go by. It is not the names (places or events) that we visualize to bring to You this day and at this hour, but the face of who You are in US.
Listed here in Your Journal is “OUR” spouse, family, friends and neighbors. We cry out to You in naming OUR Authority in our county, State and Nation, As the list lengthens we find recall to be easier to picture them in Your presence, face to face, belonging to You, as we point out individuals in our request to You on their behalf.
We ask that we would be wholly Holy, in our lives as we worship You. Please rule and reign in us to do Your will, ever present within us. Give us today what is necessary for Your Word in us to “BE” all You intended it to “BE”, “OUR” Father. For-give us of hardly noticing when we do it wrong. It is You we want right in us. We take notice of our sin and thank You for forgiveness and cleansing. Lead us far from what would keep us separated from You. May we not have difficulty in living the life of Your Son, Our Savior, all over again by delivering us from the evil one.
Lord, teach us TO pray – “How to” – “After this manner” to “Our Father” that’s who to.
When we pray “HE” is “Our Father” and we are His. What do we say: “Name that is Hallowed.” “A Kingdom come”. A “Will done”. “To give us”, “Forgive us”, “Lead us”, and “Deliver us”. That’s what! Why we pray – “To be Heavenly on earth, like in Heaven.” Receive a gift of daily bread, forgiveness, escape from temptation and to be delivered from evil. “It’s His Kingdom, power and glory. Where? “On earth as it is in Heaven.”
Is this a time, (of day, an hour) To Pray?
Prayers Answered?
“Even so” should Jesus come “Today” find us faithful?
Prayer as work – fervency.
Jesus sweat as great drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane where He “Offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death” (context: Heb.5:7) Is this something we should know about?
Faithful praying admits a nod of the head, straying thoughts, distractions that is strenuous but once in awhile breaks through all that clutter that is boring and confusing into a personal ecstatic experience that lifts you up into a Heavenly realm. Prayer is the labor of love that is worth all the intense intimacy of always praying attitude. Practiced Presence!
“Could you not keep watch with me one hour? WATCH and PRAY so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
Praise God for those times of intense intimacy with Him. “And satan left Him.”
“Continue in prayer, and WATCH in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.” (In you, context: Col.4:2,3)
“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God.”
. . . “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16)
… “As day and night I constantly remember you in my prayers, recalling your tears, longing to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”
(Oswald Chambers)
“Pray without ceasing”. Childlike habit of prayer in your heart all the time. Think of prayers as breath of the lungs and blood from our hearts. Not conscious of it, but always going on. Prayer is not as an exercise, it is the life.
What if daily communication with “Our Father” ceased? Could you live? Moments of intimacy with the Almighty choked out with the urgency of the moment. The presence of God pressed out by the passion of the minute details. Do you care? YES! Caring thoughts of the Love of God has shown in the past is ever present today, we still belong. The very fact of this now moment is proof He is alive and well in your earthsuit on planet earth is A NOW moment, aware of His touch in this time of awareness of whose we are. His seed is not crushed by today’s traffic, even when we have this moment to remember. The hush of these quiet times away from every thing that would shout for attention leaves us with feelings of peace with God.
“He shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him.”
Rest: “Why are your fearful, O you of little faith.” (Mt.8:26)
What happens when bumped by the storms of life? Faith reveals joy to our Father when confidence remains in His care no matter what. “Though they slay me, I will believe.”
Provoke our imagination by recollection and affection for you our Father. Our Journal of Prayer. Remembrances of you.
Ready to meet you in today’s events that we would miss out on meeting with you. To face you in life circumstances always ready for a surprise visit. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants to make you just like Jesus. (Max Lucado)
Yours is the Power, the Kingdom and the Gory, forever. Amen!
topray@ourprayerjournal.com
This is how we pray.
“And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certian place, when He ceased, one of the disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And He said to them, when you pray, say,
Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in Heaven so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:1-4)
Jesus does not need to pray like this; we do. We need to know our real Father and worship Him, asking for His rule and will done in His gifting to us in daily living; to be forgiven, led and delivered from the evil one. Jesus is still interceeding . . . the Lord’s Prayer (John17) including us; “They that shall believe”. Paul also uses the same model of prayer. (Ephesians 3)
Lord, performance of public prayers is drama poured out for the hearers. Privately Lord, you look into the heart of the performer. Just you and me Lord.
When we are asked to pray publicly, may we say what we have already said privately. Praying the same prayers we’ve said in secret, that others may hear our secret being exposed.
“The Father which is in secret, shall reward you openly.” (Mt.6:6)
“He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall dwell uder the shadow of the Almighty.” . . . “There shall no evil befall you.” . . . “He shall give His Angels charge over you.” . . . “He shall call upon me, I will be with him in trouble, and honor him.” (Psalm 91:1,10,15)
May our prayer be an intimate conversation with you our best friend, Jesus. Oh to love you as much as Our Father does, as you have first loved us.
Our need to know to pray as Jesus taught His disciples to pray is the same today. Their need to know how, just like John taught his disciples. What was it in John’s praying that Jesus’ disciples saw that they thought they needed? What was John’s prayer like they desired? Comparing our praying to other saint prayers, would that fulfill our desire to pray? Or, to pray like Jesus taught His disciples to pray? Privately or publicly?
Our public life will be transformed if we invest private time with the Almighty. When we have been alone with Jesus, people will know it. Performer, is our walk and talk a performance?
“And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the street, that they may be seen of men, truly I tell you, they have their reward.
But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees you in secret will reward you openly.
When you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Therefore, don’t be like them; for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him.
After this manner therefore you pray: (an outline)
Our Father who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven,
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil;
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever,
Amen.”
(Matthew 6:5-13)
Pattern for praying. (your agenda), Model Prayer. (“When you pray, say . . .” “After this manner, pray . . .”)
www.interviewwithjesus.com
WHEN YOU PRAY – If the disciples think they know how to pray, then they wouldn’t ask. They knew their need of prayer. They knew they did not know how to pray and they knew who to ask. “Lord, teach us TO pray.”
Do we know how to pray? Can we admit we don’t know how? Who can we ask? Where can we seek and find?
“When you pray say . . .” Are we confident that when we pray as Jesus taught? How do you feel about prayer requests? What do you think when you ask someone to pray? Are you as sure, honestly, when someone asks you to pray?
When I obey and do my duty to pray and when I express my attitude of Love to “The Father” by my action of praying as He asks me to; my prayer is more than emotional or inspirational feeling, but a faithful action of a child of “Our Father”, being open and obedient, saying what we think and feel is important to the possessions and inheritance the Father has given to the one praying in “OUR” behalf. The priests possessions may include entire Nations, kings, governments, authorities, organizations, schools; or may include individuals named as “Our” family, friends, missionaries and fellowship of believers and their events; knowing that a faithful hand of our Father will take and sift them, keeping that which honors Himself. (Jesus prays for us with the Holy Spirit making intercession) We don’t know how to pray as we ought. We can’t know everything about everyone. Prayer begins at the house of God – YOU!
“As stewards, it is more that a man be found faithful” even when we don’t feel like it. “Nevertheless”, we will continue (until?) in behalf or “Our” spouse, our family, our relatives, our friends, our church, our schools, our official authorities who rule over us in our cities, state and country, and also our enemies. If we can’t pray for them, who will? Jesus! “He who ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb.7:25)
Jesus witness to us, “The witness of Christ is far better.” Jesus teaches us to pray saying, “OUR FATHER”. His cliam to Sonship is witness enough for “Our” approval of adoption as Sons-of-God. Intellectual assent is not enough to know that God is “Our Father”. What is Jesus’ is also ours who share the same inheritance. A return to our true identity is a renewal of the image of God. Our Father created in us and is in the process of “BE”ing conformed into the image of His Son.” Redeeming Love!
“Both the one who makes men Holy and those who are made Holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” (Heb.2:11) “I know you by name.” Personally “OUR”! (YES! I do believe) “TEACH US TO PRAY” (Luke 11:1)
Sometimes we would rather not. Our eyelids get heavy. We are not prepared to be in your presence. Like you asked your disciples, “What could you not watch with me one hour?” Lord Jesus teach us (how) To Pray. (Matthew 6:5-13)
We are welcomed in your presence. Here we watch and wait. Jesus, what is your Word to us you want to share in our inner most thoughts with you today? (Mk.14:31-39)
Jesus calls His followers, having compassion on the multitude because they have nothing to eat. (“Give us this day our daily bread.”) “You give them lest they faint in the way.” “You have seven loaves and a few fish.” “Have them to sit down.” Receive blessed broken bread from Jesus. Yes Lord we are hungry for your Word of life. Father, we are thankful to be here today to receive even the left over scraps from your table. We are grateful to share with others. Like Paul’s instruction to Timothy (II Tim.2:2) “The things we have seen and heard, we will pass on to others who are able to pass along to others also.”
We count the vast multitudes, how vast you domain. You said, “Greater works shall you do.”
We share seven daily loaves of bread of life with some fish (meat) for this day.
Day 1. “OUR” “FATHER” “WHO ART” “IN HEAVEN”
Day 2. “HALLOWED” “BE” “THY NAME”
Day 3. “THY KINGDOM” “COME”
Day 4. “THY WILL” “BE DONE” “IN EARTH” “AS IT IS IN HEAVEN”
Day 5. “GIVE US” “THIS DAY” “OR DAILY” “BREAD”
Day 6. “FORGIVE US” “OUR SIN” “AS WE FROGIVE” “THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US”
Day 7. “LEAD US” “NOT INTO TEMPTATION” “BUT” “DELIVER US” “FROM EVIL”
The Great House Of God – Max Lacado
Boldness before the throne – “Let us then feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace.” (Heb.4:16)
Jesus tells us. . . “When you pray, pray like this, ‘Our Father who is in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come.’” When you say, “Thy Kingdom come,” you are inviting the Messiah Himself to walk in your world. “Come, my King! Take your throne in our land. Be present in my heart. Be present in my office. Come into my marriage. Be Lord of my family, my fears and my doubts.”
This is no feeble request; it is a bold appeal for God to occupy every corner of your life. [And] Who are we to ask such a thing? Who are you to ask God to take control of your world? You are His child for Heaven’s sake! And so you can ask boldly.
(Max Lucado)
KEEPING COMPANY WITH GOD – (R.C. Notes – Max Lucado)
What if daily communion with God ceased? Could you live – minute by minute – in the presence of God? Is such intimacy possible?
Frank Laubach asked, “Can we have contact with God all the time? All the time awake, fall asleep in His arms, and awaken in His presence? Can we attain that? Can we do His will all the time? Can we think His thoughts all the time? . . . Can I bring the Lord back to my mind flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind? I chose to make the rest of my life an experiment answering this question.
He chronicled this beginning January 30, 1930 at the age of forty five. Dissatisfied with his spiritual life he resolved to live in “continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect response to His will.” Not a monk, but a very busy, dedicated instructor. His techniques of education were known on almost every continent by the time he died in 1970. The desire of his heart was not recognition, however, but the unbroken communion with the Father.
Jan. 1930: I am feeling God in each movement, by the act of the will – willing that He shall direct these fingers that now strike this typewriter – willing that He pour through my steps as I walk.
Mar.1, 1930: This sense of being led by the unseen hand which takes mine while another hand reaches ahead and prepares the way, grows on me daily. . . Sometimes it requires a long time early in the morning. I determine not to get out of bed until that mind, set upon the Lord, is settled.
April 18, 1930: I tasted the thrill in fellowship with God which has made anything discordant with God disgusting. This afternoon the possession of God has caught me up with sheer joy that I thought I never had known anything like it. God was so close and so amazingly lovely that I felt like melting all over with a strange blissful contentment. . . The thrill of filth [now] repels me, for I know its power to drag me from God. And after an hour of close friendship with God, my soul feels clean, as new fallen snow.
May 24, 1930: This conversation with God is strenuous, but everything else has ceased to be so. I think more clearly. I forget less frequently. Things which I did with a strain before, now I do easily and with no effort whatsoever. I worry about nothing, and lose no sleep. I walk on air a good part of the time. Even the mirror reveals a new light in my eyes and face. I no longer feel in a hurry about anything. Everything goes right. Each minute I meet calmly as though it were not important. Noting can go wrong excepting one thing. That is that God would slip from my mind.
June 1, 1930: Last Monday was the most completely successful day of my life to date, so far as giving my day complete surrender to God is concerned. . . I remember how as I looked at people with a love God gave, they looked back and acted as though they wanted to go with me. I felt then for a day I saw a little of that marvelous pull that Jesus had as He walked along the road day after day, “God intoxicated” and radiant with the endless communion of His soul with God.
What do you think? How would you answer his question? Can we have contact with God all the time? All the time awake, fall asleep in His arms, and awaken in His presence?
Is such a goal realistic? Or do you think the idea of constant fellowship with God is somewhat fanatical, even extreme? You have to agree with his observations about Jesus, He enjoyed unbroken fellowship with God. And if we are to be just like Jesus, you and I will do the same. Our Savior was always aware of His Father’s presence. Clearly, Jesus didn’t act unless He saw His Father act. He didn’t judge until He heard His Father judge. No act or deed occurred without the guidance of His Father.
“. . . and the Lord shall reward you openly” (Mt.6:6)
List answers “NEVERTHELESS” to your journey of prayer.
“It is good for us to keep some account of our prayers, that we may not unsay them is our practice.” (Matthew Henry)
Answers to our prayers –
On Account. . . (jewels, precious assets, treasures in Heaven)
Date: Description: (trophies)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it. Watch for God’s answers and remember to be thankful when they come.” (Col.4:2)
“Watching there unto with all perseverance.” (Eph.6:18)
“But God not only heard me, He listened to my prayer. Blessed by God who neither ignored my prayer nor deprived me of His Love.” (Ps.66:19,20)
Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (C.S. Lewis, notes)
“The increasing list of people (places & events) to be prayed for is, nevertheless, one of the burdens of old age. I have a scruple about crossing anyone off the list. When I say a scruple. I mean precisely a scruple. I don’t think that if one prays for a man at all it is a duty to pray for him all my life. But when it comes to dropping him now, this particular day, it somehow goes against the grain. And as the list lengthens, it is hard to make it more than just a string of names. But herein to some measure – a curious law comes into play. Don’t you find that, if you keep your mind fixed upon God, you will automatically think of the person you are praying for; but that there is no tendency for it to work the other way around?”
Sometimes there may not even be a name of reference, as in this lengthy journal listing, only a mental picture of that person from memory, or a place or a event request. I don’t think this is what Lewis refers to in “wordless” praying. However avoiding names and substituting mental images. “is best.” Ready made prayers, keep in touch with sound doctrine, reminds one of “what to ask” (especially for others), keeps urgent in perspective with necessities, provides ceremony (agenda), corrective one sided view, reverence. A good reason for a secret place, journey in a Journal of Prayer. (R.C.) Written logs, journals, reminders of lengthy lists.
“Out of sight, out of mind.”
Absence (does not) make the heart grow fonder. Did you ever forget someone or fail to remember them in prayer, (you never crossed them off the list) and then all of a sudden, the Lord brings them back into your life? Separated small group rejoined. (ie: reunions, contacts, thoughts, etc.) What do you do now with old family of friends?
A mind fixed on Our Father – He will automatically cause the remembrance. A desire to pray as you did before during the times of intimacy of relationship at the time of involvement (family, extended family, schoolmates, neighbors, co-workers) has not changed. Your desire to pray as you did then is renewed because of the earlier memory.
There is a similar desire as before for Godly action and intervention on their behalf. There is a sense of shame in that past misrepresentation of God at work in lifestyle being unresolved in time of correction. You really meant God’s best for them then and now, except for that sin that ruined any response to answer that call to prayer. (ie: spousal coming together after times of separation)
Another function comes into play when meeting old friends once prayed for. In addition to sometimes warm greeting there is inspiration to Holy boldness even with old wounds that asserts a desire for Godly intervention.
“TO PRAY” “SAY”
The Perfect Prayer
By Anabel GillhamI do not ask in behalf of these alone,
but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me,
and I in You, that they also may be in Us;
that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:20-21There are prerequisites for answered prayer. We know them. We incorporate them into our personal prayer life. Pastors will preach and teachers will teach that sometimes our prayers are hindered because of something we have done or have not done . . . a prerequisite that we have not met. And we don’t really argue about this. We realize our imperfections and are constantly asking the Lord to search me and show me if there are things in my life that are disappointing to you and lead me in the right direction.
Well, there has been one perfect Person and we are confident that the Father heard His prayers and answered them–no prerequisites necessary. That Person is Jesus, of course. But did you know that He prayed for me? for you? for every person who would believe? I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word . . . There I am! There you are! Believers. And what did He petition the Father to do for us? To make us one with Him just as He was one with the Father.
That’s Romans 8:28-29: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . ..” Becoming one with Jesus that we might become one with the Father.
God is busy about answering that prayer right now in my life and in your life. He isn’t really asking our opinions or requesting our permission:
What is our plan on becoming one with my Son? or
Do you want to go through this time of stress now? or
Can you endure this situation at this time? or
Do you have a better idea?
No. He is directing His efforts to bring about the answer to His dear Sons prayer for you . . . and in the fullness of time we will understand and be amazed at His wisdom, His plan, and thrilled at our likeness to His Son.
Dear Father, please make this truth acceptable to us, not that we must fully understand, but that we will be willing to trust You fully to bring the prayer of Jesus to completeness in us.
“Be very careful when you try to be so good in performance of prayer that you get applause from men. That’s all you will get for it.”
Our Father is an audience of one. You will get Our Father’s appreciation publickly after having found that secluded quiet space with Him. No role playing, no production, just honest to goodness, we just have to talk conversation. He knows what you have need of before you ask, before the words are formed on your lips. “SELAH!” Stop and think, you don’t have to keep reminding him of something He knew before you did, or keep repeating it like you are into some kind of prayer beads or something. Try to listen and pray simply like this:
“OUR” (Who is that?)
“FATHER” (“It is He that has made us and not we ourselves”)
“WHO ART” (You really are who you say you are.)
“HEAVENLY” (Your place to be.)
“HALLOWED” (In Holiness being worshipped and adored.)
“IN NAME” (Above every other name)
“RULE AND REIGN” (Your domain)
“DOING AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE”
“IN US AS IN HEAVEN” (Like little Angels.)
“GIVE US” (What we need for that to be.)
“TODAY” (One day at a time sweet Jesus.)
“DAILY BREAD” (Fed from you Word.)
“FORGIVE US” (Yes, like our forgiveness?)
“LEAD US” (Take complete control of Our life.)
“NOT INTO TESTY SITUATIONS” (Suffering difficulties.)
“BUT” (We still trust you when tough times do come.)
“DELIVER US” (You are the victory that overcomes.)
“FROM THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL.”
Lord this is just an outline to guide us, as a pattern or model of how you want us To Pray, To Say: Our agenda!
(Fair to phrase Mt.6:5-13) We are an answer to JESUS’ Prayer!
The Lord’s Prayer Jesus Prays for His
followers.
These words spake Jesus,
Our Father which and lifted His eyes to
Art in Heaven. Heaven, and said, Father
The hour is come; glorify
Thy Son, that thy Son also
Hallowed BE may glorify thee:
Thy name As thou hast given Him
Power over all flesh, that
Give Us this day He should give eternal
Thine is the life to as many as thou
Kingdom, Power given Him.
And the glory, And this is life eternal
Forever. That they might know
Thee the only true God,
Give us this day and Jesus Christ, whom
Our daily bread. thou hast sent.
Thy will be done I have glorified thee on
In earth as in the earth: I have finished
Heaven. The work which thou gavest
Me to do.
Hallowed BE And now, O Father, glorify
Thou me with thine own
Self with the glory which I
Had with thee before the
World was.
Hallowed be thy I have manifested thy
Name name unto men which
Thou gavest me out of the
World; thine they were,
And thou gavest them me;
And they have kept thy
Word.
Thy Kingdom come. Now they have known that
All things whatsoever thou
Hast given me are of thee.
Give us this day For I have given unto
Our daily bread them the Words which
Thou gavest me; and
They have received
Them and have known
Surely that I came
Out from thee.
And they have believed
That thou didst send me.
Lead us not into I pray for them:
Temptation I pray not for the world,
But for them which thou
Hast given me; for they are
Our Father. . . thine.
Hallowed be. . And all mine are thine, and
Thine are mine; and
I AM glorified in them.
Deliver us from And now I am no more in the
Evil world, and I come to
Thee, Holy Father,
Hallowed be. . . keep through thine own
Thy name name those whom thou
Hast given me, that
They may be one,
As we are.
Our Father. . . While I was with them in
The world, I kept them in
Give us this day thy name: those that thou
Our daily bread gavest me I have kept, and
Deliver us none of them is lost, but
From evil the son of perdition; that
The Scripture might be
Fulfilled.
Thy Kingdom come And now come I to thee; and
These things I speak in
The world, that they might
Have my joy fulfilled in
Themselves.
Give us this day I have given them thy
Our daily bread Word; and the world hath
Hated them, because they
Are not of the world.
I pray not that thou
Shouldest take them out
Of the world, but that
Deliver us from Thou shouldest keep them
Evil. From evil.
They are not of the world,
Even as I AM not of the
World.
Give us bread. . . Sanctify them through thy
Truth: thy Word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into
Lead us not the world, even so have I
Into temptation also sent them into the
World.
Thy will be done. And for their sakes I
Sanctify myself, that they
Also might be sanctified
Through the truth.
Thy Kingdom come. Neither pray I for these
Alone, but for them
Also which shall believe
On me through their word;
“OUR” Father. . . That they all may be one;
as thou, Father art in me,
and I in thee, that they also
may be one in us: that the
world may believe that
thou hast sent me.
For thine is the. . . And the glory which thou
Gavest me I have given
The Kingdom come. Them; that they may be
One, even as we are one:
I in them, and thou
Forgive us as we in me, that they may be
Forgive others. Made perfect in one;
And that the world may
Our Father. . . know that thou hast sent
Me, and hast loved me.
For thine is the Father, I will that they
Also, whom thou hast given
Kingdom, the power me, be with me where I AM;
That they may behold my
And the glory, glory which thou hast given
Me: for thou lovedst me
Forever. . . before the foundation of
The world.
O righteous Father, the
World hath not known thee:
But I have known thee, and
These have known that
Thou hast sent me.
And I have declared unto
Them thy name, and the love
Wherewith thou hast
loved me may be in them,
and I in them.
Paul Prays: Ephesians 3 Model Prayer
“For this cause I (Paul) bow my knees unto the Father of Our Father
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who art Of whom the whole family in in heaven
Heaven and earth is named. Hallowed BE thy name
That He would grant you, Give us this day
According to the riches Our daily bread
Of His glory Thine is the Kingdom
To be strengthened the power and the glory
With might by His Spirit
In the inner man: Thy Kingdom come
That Christ may dwell
In your hearts by faith Thy will be done
That you Being rooted
And grounded in love Forgive us
May be able to comprehend Our sins
With all saints as we forgive those
What is the breadth, and who sin against us.
Length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love Lead us
Of Christ, which passes not into temptation, but Knowledge, deliver us from evil
That you might be filled
With all the fullness of God. Who art
Now unto Him who is able to on earth Do exceeding abundantly above as in Heaven
All that we ask or think,
According to the power Thine is the power
That works in us, The Kingdom
Unto Him be glory in and the glory
The church by Jesus Christ
Throughout all ages, Forever
World without end. and ever.
Amen. Amen! topray@ourprayerjournal.com To “ASK” is to question? WHO – “Our” “Father” “Art” WHAT – “Hallowed” “Be” “Thy Name” WHEN – “Kingdom comes” “Will done” “This day” “Daily” “Forever” WHERE – “In us” “As in Heaven” WHY – “Thine is the Kingdom, power and glory” HOW – “Give us” “Forgive us” “Lead us” “Deliver us” Please pray with me as Our Lord has taught us TO PRAY to say:
“Our Father, Lord, not only our four and no more. Our spouse and family, but Our neighbors, friends and in our community, those who rule over us in on our job, in our schools, our State and our Nation. As we think of whose we are, we lift up these family names to you today. It is you who made us ‘TO BE”. Your are Our Father of all we believe. We come into your presence in the name of your Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ, through your Spirit, saying Holy, Holy, Holy is your name to “BE” Worshipped and adored. We sing with the Psalmist:
“I will praise you O Lord my God, I will praise you with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever more, I will glorify your name forever more.” (Repeat)
“Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb; You are Holy, Holy, Holy.
May we reverence you in Our life by “BE”ing Holy as you made us “TO BE”. Come, O precious Father to rule and reign. Take control of every area of our living the life of your Son all over again in these bodies of ours. We are yours. Lord, show us what it is we need “TO BE” Sons and Daughters from your Word to do all that made us to be. May we be doers of the Word and work. Give us today whatever it takes to do that. Fill us with the Bread of Life, here and now just as though we are already in your presence in the place you have prepared for us to be. Forgive us Lord when we stand in the way of that happening the same way we forgive others we see making the same mistakes. Grant us the grace to be just like you, Jesus, in how we treat others, like we want to be treated. Lead us to be in that place you desire us to be, in your presence daily, fed by your Word. May we not all have difficulty in living the life of your Son today, not into any temptation to evil, but to be delivered from the testing trials and tribulation of the circumstances we find ourselves in this day. Deliver us from the evil one who would bite and devour, lie, kill and destroy. You are Our King in whose domain we remain. We dwell in your power and Kingdom glory. To the One who is able to keep us from falling and present us faultless before your throne, forever and ever. Let it be so. We pray. Amen.
”OUR” Father’s Mercies are new every morning” 