Prayer for You and Others Too

Prayer is our way of talking with God and voicing our glory for Him, our thanks, and our requests. In my time of prayer it is natural to go through my expressions in selfish ways for just me. And it is okay and certainly part of the process that I am there speaking with God on a personal level for me.

“²Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

Paul, in his letter to the church at Colossae encouraged them to continue in their prayer and does not detour them from their way, only encourages. I think that Paul wanted first to let them know that they are doing right and should continue doing that (prayer) in the interest of right actions.

I have to know that what I am doing is what I should be doing. Even in business, I ask for feedback on the actions I am taking to ensure that what I am doing is right and what adjustment I should be making. In the interest of being a lifelong learner and continuous improvement, I should be seeking out the views of others in order to move forward.

Although it is natural and Paul encourage the continued prayer for myself, there is also the element that I have to pray for others. And Paul makes that known in the next verses in his letter.

“³At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— ⁴that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:3-4 (ESV)

Paul it seems is making the plea for prayers on his behalf. And where yes, he is right to do so, there is in my thinking more to it than his asking selfishly. I see here that Paul is reminding me that I have to be aware of and praying for the needs and actions of others and not just myself. He is telling me to continue what I am doing and add in the piece for others as well. This is the move from the selfish action to the selfless action and ensuring that ours and the petitions of others are lifted to God for His guidance.

And there is the feedback from Paul on the improvement that can be made in my prayer life. Not that what I was doing by praying for me and my requests, but that there is more to be added and offered to God. I have to be engaged in prayer for me and for other too.

It is the continuous prayer that I am able to do both and make my prayers and supplications to the LORD. Remembering that I should be coming to God all the day long, in all situations. I have to bring Him glory, thanks, and requests. And it is with that continuous constant prayer that I am able to bring prayer for me and for others too.

How selfish are your prayers? Are you reaching out to God for your benefit only? What if you took the feedback from Paul and lifted up prayer for you and others too?

Reduce Anxiety with Prayer

“⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)

Seems simple enough. Pray to the LORD and allow Him to take away the anxiety. Give your troubles to Him and He will relieve the stress of the situation. Just talking with God will allow you to speak to what ails you and He will comfort you. It does seem simple enough.

But, is it. Well, yes it is. The LORD is here to guard us and protect us and comfort us. He is our Father in heaven and only wants what is best for us, and even will work to relieve the anxiety we have developed.

The thing is, yes here it is, God will remove the anxiety, we are responsible for truly giving it to Him. It is one thing to make the statement that we have given it to God to work through for us and then it is something else to actually allow Him to do His work.

Supplication: to make a humble entreaty, to ask humble and earnestly of, to ask for earnestly and humbly – Merriam-Webster Online

Paul uses the word “supplication” here as well as in other letters. What a lovely word for us to remember when we are praying to the LORD to take away our anxiety and take things over for us. It is truly about the earnest and humble plea to the LORD where He will do His work. Not that He would not work for us without it, just that with supplication of our prayers, it is from our heart and fully understood that we are not able to do it alone or simply without the help from our Father.

I title this writing, “reduce anxiety with prayer” to indicate that all that we are anxious about, does not have to be. There are things that are fully out of our control and can/will be handled by others. God is those others. I have to remember to supplicate and pray to the LORD and allow Him to take these things from me and work them to His glory and plan. When I do, I will find it refreshing to get on with the rest of things in the name of the LORD.

What things are you giving to the LORD? Are you giving them to Him in just your words? What if you were to supplicate and pray to the LORD and give all to Him from your heart to remove the anxiety?

Prayer to Stay Alert

The whole armor of God is just that, armor to protect against the evil that will come at us each and every day. That armor is described in Ephesians chapter 6. By putting on the armor, we are able to walk through this world knowing that when something comes at us, we are left to completely fend for ourselves. There is one part that may not get its due when we referencing the armor of God and the protections that come with that armor, and that is prayer.

“¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” — Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

There is a saying used in the sport of American football as well as other sports, “keep your head on a swivel”. This saying references to stay alert as anything can happen so be aware. Paul’s words above speak to this directly. It is important that even as we put on the armor of God, we have to stay alert and prepare for anything that may happen. We have to ready ourselves for battle and that means understanding that we cannot know all that will happen. We have to be alert and adjust to that which we are presented.

Prayer is our way of preparing. Getting in the right frame with God in the morning and at all times as Paul states in verse 18 above will allow us to keep alert to what might come.

No, we will not be able to avoid all negative events that come. We will not see it all before it attacks us. That is the reason for the armor of God. In American football, even being alert for what might happen one wears the equipment to protect when we miss something. The armor of God gives us protection when we miss something. It allows us to take the hit and then fight back.

In my walk of Christianity, I get up each morning and put on the armor of God and then pray for guidance through this world. I pray to align with God and stay alert to what might come and be prepared for the battle ahead. I will miss some things and hence the reason for the armor to protect when the hit comes, and then I am given the chance to call on God for His assistance in overcoming.

What are you doing to prepare? Are you just putting on the physical protection? What if you were to pray to stay alert in addition to wearing the armor of God?

The Prayer of Many

I recently wrote about the need for and value of corporate prayer. This morning I was reminded again of the prayer of many and the impact that can be from that prayer.

“¹¹You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” – 2 Corinthians 1:11 (ESV)

Here Paul has written to the church at Corinth and is speaking of the comfort of the LORD. He is explaining that there have been difficulties for he and Timothy and yet, even in those difficulties, God has provided comfort and contentment. He and Timothy also have no reason to think that God’s provision will not continue. Yet, he wants the people to know that the way they can help is to pray. Not just pray, but pray as many. Remember what Jesus said:

“¹⁹Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18:19-20 (ESV)

God will be with us and grant us when we are praying with our heart. And as you see in the words of Jesus above, He will grant the requests of two or more who are praying with their hearts for the same thing.

It is great to pray alone and frankly it is refreshing to speak to God and share with Him all that is in need of being shared. And to do that in our prayer closet in solitude with Him is such a private and powerful opportunity to communicate with God. But, as I can see here, I do not have to be alone in my requests. I should be open to others joining me to pray with the power of many.

It may not feel like everything should be shared and that some things are to remain private. But, our brothers and sisters in Christ are not here to judge us. They are here to lift us up and help us through any and all situations. It is up to us to seek out the help we need, even when that help is just the power of the prayer of the many.

What does your prayer look like? Are you out there going it alone for fear that others don’t need to know your business? What if you asked others to pray for you and were able to get them to use the power of prayer of the many?

Devote Yourself to Your Spouse or Prayer, You Cannot Both at the Same Time

I know, this may seem like a natural thing and frankly, something we have learned over time, that you cannot serve two masters. But, this is a little bit different in that the premise is that there is devotion to both, just not at the same time.

“⁵Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” – 1 Corinthians 7:5 (ESV)

Paul has written to the Church at Corinth and is answering the men’s question as relates to sexual relations with women as it was customary for the men to be the leaders and speakers, although this relates from men and women and sexual relations with the opposite sex. In the four verses prior to the one above, Paul indicates that if there is sexual relations with the opposite sex, it should be in marriage and that there should be devotion to one another and there should not be any depriving of one another either.

Now, in the verse above, Paul makes it clear that devotion to one another is paramount to the relationship, although there should be devotion to the LORD as well. But, notice the way he declares that devotion to be handled. One or the other, not both at the same time. There is a time for devotion to the LORD, and then there is time for devotion to the spouse. There is not time for devotion to both together at the same time. This shows deviation from the serving of two masters in that one should devote to the LORD and your spouse, yet it holds true that one cannot serve two masters “at the same time”.

I love my wife Lori and devote myself to her and her well being. We have a great relationship together and frankly, she is my best friend for the last 27 years. When she calls, it is my responsibility to come to her, and she to me when I call. And yes, we value our time together and our relationship with God. Yet, in the morning, I am here with God and devoted solely to Him and Lori understands that and is pleased to have me with Him.

Lori knows, as do I, that the relationship with God is vitally important to the relationship with have with one another. Lori and my relationship with one another is made stronger through our relationship with God. Our devotion to Him allows for our devotion to one another. We have our own individual relationship with God and yet we have devoted our relationship to Him for His hand of love, comfort, and guidance.

What does your relationship with your spouse and God look like? Are you trying to be devoted to each at the same time? What if you took the time as Paul says, to devote to your spouse and only separate from them for your devotion to prayer and the LORD?

Constantly in Prayer

I have to look in the mirror on this one to determine and adjust my approach to prayer. I find myself praying at the times when it is “scripted” to do so; in the morning and at night, at meals, before traveling, and in church. I look at this approach and see that in some cases I am praying four to five times a day. That seems pretty good and in thinking of other relationships I have, my conversations with God far exceed those others. But is that really constantly praying?

“¹²Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12 (ESV)

The verse above comes from Paul’s letter to the Romans. In this passage he is outlining the “Marks of the True Christian”. There is a lot more to this passage as at one point I did a 17 day study and writing of the full passage from verse 9 through 21 of chapter 12. I have to believe that Paul meant in the verse above to pray more than four to five times a day. I have notes of my thoughts to “stay in constant communication with God”. As a “True Christian” I have to be the example of what right looks like and walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

Now I do know that I am not always the “scripted” praying Christian as I have many a time where I have stopped to pray for someone or some situation in the moment. Yet, I also know that those times are not common enough in my work for the LORD. I have to constantly pray and communication with God. I should be praying for my walk in the mornings (and even during). I should be praying as I begin a new task. I should be praying at the end of a task. I should be praying when I think of another person. I should be praying in and around all situations I encounter and those where I am sitting idle.

Being constantly in prayer is not constantly sticking to the scripted times to do so. Being constantly in prayer is keeping the line open and speaking with God any time there is something that comes to mind. I think about when I was a teenager and on the line with the girlfriend and not saying anything but just breathing. Yet I knew that she was there on the other end of the line to chat when something came up. The relationship and the communication line with God is so much more important than that. He is there to listen and guide me. He is there to comfort me and carry me. He is there always and wants to hear from me. Be constantly in prayer.

What does constant prayer look like to you? Are you praying according to the scripted times and reasons? What if you just constantly prayed to God in and around all times in your life, no matter how “important” they may seem?

Prayer In the Midst of Decision

This morning as I continue my study of the word “prayer” I have found a strong reminder of the need for prayer in the midst of decision making. I know it may seem like an obvious thing to seek the counsel of God when making decisions, yet the reminder this morning is around the reminder for groups and not just the single individual.

The passage I was brought to this morning is in the first chapter of Acts. Jesus had promised the arrival of The Holy Spirit and then He ascended to His rightful place at the right hand of God in heaven. The eleven remaining disciples returned to Jerusalem and immediately began to pray.

“¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” – Acts 1:12-14 (ESV)

Now it was not unusual for groups to pray following an event such as they had just been a part. Prayers of thanksgiving, celebration, mourning, and the like would have been and still today are pretty commonplace. This prayer was partly this and then there was the part that is captured by Luke as a part of this point in time. This was not only a time of thanksgiving, celebration, and mourning, but it was also a time of decision making. There was the decisions of what to do next, where to go, and as recorded here in this passage, the decision of who would replace Judas among the disciples of Jesus.

What I have to look at here is not the decision that was made, or the timing of that decision. It is the actions that lead up to the decision, prayer. And not only prayer of an/the individual, but prayer of a group, in one accord. These were not sent their own way to “pray on it” and then come back to have a discussion and finally make a decision. No, they came together as a group, identified the actions that needed deciding and they prayed together for Gods hand of wisdom on the decisions.

My question and thought was this, why would we not take a similar approach to decision making in other areas of our lives. I know that when we are in the church, there is prayer to send folks out as we corporately pray over them. We corporately pray for healing. We corporately pray for God to do His work in the world. How often are we praying corporately to make decisions?

Now I know what the thought might be that is running through the mind, “Everyone in a group may not pray”. First of all there is the obvious Christian question to that thought, why not. But more so what about simply allowing for the time of prayer or thought in the corporate setting when it is time to decide something. I know that I have been involved in too many meetings where there are actions or decisions needed where the approach is, “lets table this and think about it and come back together to make some decisions”. It has been my observation that what happens is that once the meeting or gathering has ended, there is little to no thought on the subject(s) in question until the group comes back together and inevitably there is another adjournment to that meeting without a decision or action being realized.

The disciples of Jesus followed the approach of Jesus, even in His absence (Jesus trained them for it). They prayed and decided. Not only as the individual, but as the group in one accord. It was the corporate prayer that led to the decisions and actions of one accord to go forward.

What approach are you taking when it comes to decisions? Are you praying as a group when there are decisions and/or actions needed? What if you took the approach to come together as a group and not only discuss, but pray together ahead of discussion in working toward a decision guided by God?

The Power of Prayer

“²¹And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen. ²²And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.’” – Matthew 21:21-22 (ESV)

Jesus had just scolded a fig tree for not producing any fruit when He went to draw from it, and the disciples were marveled and wanted to know how. Now, I want to take a step back from the question or observation here that Jesus scolded a tree that did not produce fruit for Him to draw, as that is not the story. The story is how did it happen.

In Matthew 7, Jesus says:

“⁷Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

Now He is expanding on that to include how it works. It is through prayer to the Father and faith that He will act on your behalf. God is listening and wants to provide, and it is up to us to ask, but asking flippantly is not the way. The ask has to come from the heart and there is faith that God will provide for the ask.

We have to open our eyes and accept that which God provides based on our ask. I have asked for many things from the LORD and when it came to it, I did not receive what I asked for, or so I thought. You see, God hears our prayer and then counts that against the plan He has for you and me. After review, He then answers the prayer to be in line with His plan. I may not get exactly what I wanted, but I will get what God determines to be in line with His plan.

I know, Jesus says that if we ask for a mountain to be thrown into the sea, it will happen with our prayer and faith, and it will. The thing is, it may not happen as we expect or in the time we want. It may be that the area will flood and cover the mountain and that flooding will happen 100 years from now. But, you see, God will deliver on your ask through prayer and with your faith.

There is power in prayer, and all I have to do is to understand that power and know that my asks will be answered by the LORD in His time and in line with His plan for me.

What asks do you have for the LORD? Are you asking in prayer with faith and are you expecting immediate results? What if you asked through prayer and with faith and understood that God will answer in His time and His plan for you?

Be Sure that God’s House is a House of Prayer

How many have seen charity booths and causes taken up in the foyer of churches? I know that I have and where the they are for good (at least it seems so) I cannot help but wonder if them being there is “right” as God’s House is to be a House of Prayer and not a convention hall.

Now, before you scold me on the churches responsibility to care for others and these charities and causes are an extension of the churches reach, I am not implying that there should be an abandonment of those charities and causes. I am simply asking the question as to there being in the venue of the church.

I believe that we have to be careful as to the purpose of the church and how that fits with the marketing of the charities and causes that are presented. If we are not careful, I see the church building becoming a convention hall taking advantage of soft/guilty/needy hearts in the moment.

“¹²And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. ¹³He said to them, ‘It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.’” – Matthew 21:12-13 (ESV)

Jesus saw the way the temple was being used as a marketplace and as such, He took action to drive them out to restore the temple to the House of Prayer. He was making sure that those coming to the temple were not being taken advantage of in their time of vulnerability and they had the chance to focus on their relationship with God.

Charities and causes need a voice and I want to say, I do believe the church should be involved in those charities and causes and should be bringing those to the congregation in response to the need that expressed. The only thing I have is that there has to be care taken as to the timing and the venue to which those items are communicated and shared. Maybe a charity/cause day or night that is sponsored and communicated through the church would be a solution. I am only cautious as to the when and where.

God’s House is a House of Prayer and it should held in regard as such. It is easy to wander away to other things in the interest of the good for others. We have to be careful to maintain God’s House as a House of Prayer and the opportunity to commune, worship, and praise Him.

What have you seen as goings on in your church? Do you find yourself distracted by the charities and causes? What if God’s House was maintained as a House of Prayer and the charities and causes left to another time and place?

God’s House, a House of Prayer

How many go to God’s House, the church, and are there to be seen and are not truly there to commune with God and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. This morning I am in the book of Isaiah continuing my study of the word “prayer”. I find that just going to the House of the LORD, is not the point. There is much more that we are called for, beyond just showing up.

“⁶And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,

to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD,

and to be his servants,

everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,

and holds fast my covenant—

⁷these I will bring to my holy mountain,

and make them joyful in my house of prayer;

their burnt offerings and their sacrifices

will be accepted on my altar;

for my house shall be called a house of prayer

for all peoples.”

— Isaiah 56:6-7 (ESV)

I see here that it is not the arriving at the House of the LORD. It is the keeping “the Sabbath” and not doing anything against it that makes the difference. I see that those that do so, will be joyful and their prayers will be heard, and therefor, God’s House will be the house of prayer.

I find myself weekly in God’s House, and I will say that prayer is not something that is missing where we as a family meet with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, at this time, we are in the midst of a study on prayer that has revealed so much. I want nothing more than to be known by God. I want to be in God’s House of prayer and offering to Him. I want my offerings to be accepted.

As I write this morning, I am brought back to the verses I have just read and see that for me to be in God’s House of prayer and for my offerings to be accepted, I simply have to devote myself to Him. I have to be present with Him and not look away. I must not be concerned with all that is around me and keep my eyes on God and my heart with Him. I have to “be there” in His presence. I have to remain vigilant in my pursuit of Him and do nothing to turn away from Him. I must hold on to the life that He provides for me and be thankful and accepting of all His provision and know that His blessings are just that, blessings and not guaranteed.

I am a child of God and as such, I have the joy of being able to meet with Him whenever I want. I have the opportunity to converse with Him and know that He is indeed there for me as I enter His House of prayer. When I meet with Him I devote myself to Him and keep those times focused on Him so as not to go against Him. I am to be there for the time with Him and nothing more.

What is your approach to your time in God’s House? Are you there to be seen? What if you just arrived and spent the time in conversation with God in His House of prayer and in devotion to keeping the time all about Him?