Monday, July 25, 2011

A Mini Series, On Prayer {Day 1}

I know that we're just coming into a very busy time where our gardens are concerned, but something has been pressing on me.  So, let's (mentally) lay down our garden gloves and canning lids for our time together this week. This week I want to do something a little different.  For a few days, I want to talk about prayer.  I know I don't fully comprehend it's power and importance.  I know I don't engage in it enough.  I know my prayers aren't always what they could be.  I'm not alone in this, right?  I want to make some changes and beef up my prayer life and I'm hoping you'll join me.

So, here's the plan.  Today, I'm going to remind us about what scripture says about prayer.  Tomorrow, I'm going to offer up some thoughts on mealtime prayer.  Wednesday, I want to talk about the importance of praying for others and some practical ways of how we can pray more effectively for them.  Thursday, we'll go out even further and talk about praying for the world.  Friday, I won't post, but I want to challenge those of you who have read along all week to set aside 30 minutes of deliberate prayer time.  Yes, 30 minutes.  We can do it!

Are you ready?!  Let's begin!  Below are some of my favorite verses about prayer and how to pray.  If you have a favorite that you don't see here, please type it out into the comments.  Let's remember that these are not mere words from an old book.  These are the words breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) by God for US- you and me- for this very day.  Let's meditate on these verses and commit our week of prayer to God, asking that He will do mighty things with our prayer lives from this week forward.

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 
so that you may be children of your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:44-45a

"But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door 
and pray to your father who is in secret; 
and your father who sees in secret will reward you." 
Matthew 6:6

"When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentlies do; 
for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.  
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need 
before you ask Him."  Matthew 6 :7-8

“This, then, is how you should pray:
   “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

   on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

   as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

   but deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:9-13

"Then he said to his disciples, 
The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; 
therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest." Matthew 9:37-38

"Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; 
the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Luke 22:46

"So, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, 
believe that you have received it 
and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Luke 6:28

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; 
for we do not know how to pray as we ought, 
but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." 
Romans 8:26

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; 
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18?

"...the Lord hears when I call to Him." Psalm 4: 3b

"The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective." James 5:16b

Prayer {Day 2}: Mealtime
Prayer {Day 3}: Praying for One Another
Prayer {Day 4}: The World  Pin It

13 comments:

  1. "...the Lord hears when I call to Him"-----Psalm 4:3b--------I know I have a lot of friends who are out there though the comments I make to your blogs,although I don't have a blog I love following a lot of you. I WOULD FOLLOW MORE IF MY MIND ALLOWED IT. SOME OF YOU HAVE ALREADY PROMISED PRAYER FOR MY HUSBAND. COULD I ASK THE REST OF YOU FOR A PRAYER FROM EACH.My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic tumor on Sunday of last week . A tumor of about 5 cm. We have out first visit to the oncologist on his birthday Friday. I am trying to stay positive and GOD WILL LOOK DOWN AT HIM WITH FAVOR.I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES PEOPLE PLEASE HELP--THANK YOU

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  2. Wonderful! I've been studying some of the Pauline epistles and amazed at the things he prays for for the churches and how our lives would change if we prayed that way. I am really excited for this week. Thank you for doing it!

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  3. Oh, Judy!
    I will be praying for you, your husband and family. Thank you for sharing this with us and allowing us to lift you all in prayer.

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  4. God's timing is perfect...and your obedience will be blessed.

    Judy, I will pray for you and your husband, too. I'm sorry about this news...but God is bigger than a tumor, He is the Almighty Healer, He is good and just and merciful. He is the Prince of Peace...lean into Him and He will see you BOTH through this valley...xoxox

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  5. Is. 62:6-7... It's all about being a prayer warrior... Praying for God to come and not stopping till He does.

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  6. I'm really looking forward to this too. This was actually something we talked about in our house this weekend. I was wondering if you could also give your thoughts on family devotions? Encouraging prayer in our childrens lives?
    Judy we will be praying too... xo
    Cindy

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  7. This is great and so timely, thank you!

    Judy, I will pray for you and your husband.

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  8. “7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7

    "Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." Psalm 2:8

    I found that to effectively pray, I don't ask God for things or changes. I show faith in him but thanking him for providing before it even happens. It has never failed to work for me.

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  9. Thank you for posting these! I don't have a bible at the moment, so I haven't read in quite some time, but seeing Matthew 6:6 posted here reminded me. I've always felt you can't judge someone because you don't see them pray, I don't think you're necessarily supposed to. I know many times my prayers are in my head, only obvious to those who know me well and recognize the look on my face with my eyes closed.

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  10. Thank you Ellen and Anonymous.AND YOU ALSO JANE FOR LETTING ME USE YOUR BLOG THIS WAY.THANKS EVERYONE

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  11. Judy, My family will lift you up and agree with you in prayer. We are anointing with oil tonight and agreeing with you, Being a prayer warrior for others needs and the gift of intercession is one of the greatest callings we have as Christians. Its a privledge to serve others in this way. I thank God for this gift...Robin in So Cal

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  12. Judy, you and your husband are in my prayers. Trust Him.

    This post is wonderful! I'll be with you all week!

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  13. Judy, will be praying for your husband. Just to encourage you, I had a large pancreatic tumor removed 19 years ago (dr said it was the size of a nerf football) and am doing fine. Will pray the same for your husband.

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Just a friendly reminder, if you know me personally please try to refrain from using my name. There are those who may try to locate me, break into my pantry and steal my pickled beets. Thanks:-).

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