#19 “The Discipline of Prayer”

(Pt. 3)

“Believe me,” replied Jesus, “if you have faith and have no doubts in your heart,

you will not only do this to a fig-tree but even if you should say to this hill,

‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea’, it will happen!

Everything you ask for in prayer, if you have faith, you will receive.”

Mathews 21:21-22

J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

Unanswered Prayer, how many of us would say that we have had a few of them? I often find myself asking, “Lord are any prayers ever truly unanswered?” In our opening scripture Jesus is telling His disciples that, “if they have faith and do not doubt in their hearts, they would have whatever they say.” However, many of us have at some time or another had prayers, which seemingly went unanswered? Do some prayers go unanswered? Does God pick and choose which prayers He will and will not answer? Each of these questions are very valid and deserve our attention this morning; consequently, many people have ceased praying as a result of these very questions. I guess the best thing to do is go back to something Jesus said in Luke 11:11 – “Some of you are fathers, and if your son asks you for some fish, would you give him a snake instead, or if he asks you for an egg, would you make him a present of a scorpion? So, if you, for all your evil, know how to give good things to your children, how much more likely is it that your Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Jesus was making a very valid point here, if our earthly parents can discern what is good or bad for us, how much more can our Heavenly Father.

The problem with children is they don’t know what is good for them; therefore, it is the responsibility of the parent to decide for them. Truly the day will soon come, when they can make quality discussions for themselves; nevertheless, until that day comes it is done for them. The truth of the matter is, based on what we know about the heart of Father God. There are no unanswered prayers, they're all heard and answer with, either Yes, No or Not Now, is there any doubt, which of these three we most want to here? Just as willing as we are to receive a “YES” answer to our prayers, we to must be equally enthusiastic about the “No” or “Not Now.” Why? Because you Heavenly Father, desire to give you good gifts (things). Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened,” this is God’s promise and desire towards us as His children."

So, what about the “No” answers, well let’s take a closer look? Sometimes “No,” is just that; you hear God speaking to your spirit a definite “NO” or perhaps it’s a Not Now answer, which still means no you're not ready for that. Of course we would like to hear something, one way or another right? Therefore when we don’t hear anything, we interpret that as being a non answered prayer. Also it could simply be that it’s coming and now you have to walk it out. It boils down to this, “do you trust God to know what’s best for you?” Just because something sounds right, looks right, or feels right, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. What we have to keep in mind is that, often times our emotions can become tied up in a matter and thus clouds our judgment of what’s actually right for us. At that point we only want to fulfill our desire to have that, which we want. This is when we hear James 4:3 saying, “But about the feuds and struggles that exist among you—where do you suppose they come from? Can’t you see that they arise from conflicting passions within yourselves? You crave for something and don’t get it, you are jealous and envious of what others have got and you don’t possess it yourselves. Consequently in your exasperated frustration you struggle and fight with one another. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And when you do ask he doesn’t give it to you, for you ask in quite the wrong spirit—you only want to satisfy your own desires."

A key factor in the Prayer of discipline is trusting the Father God to know what’s best for us, thus when we pray we believe that He hears and will give us what’s best for us according to HIS perfect will. Jesus told His disciples, don’t be amazes about what you see has happened to this fig tree. Because, when you walk according to the plans and purpose of the Father, there will be nothing He will not give you, when you ask Him for it. He has made the same promise to us today, when we ask accordingly.

My Prayer: This morning heavenly father we thank you for being an omniscience God. Father even we don’t always understand the reasons why, You would choose to say no, in response to our prayer, we trust. We trust Your judgment, knowing full well that you are the sovereign God; therefore, we say yes, to Your will. Help us not to pray according to our own selfish desires. We believe Your word and know that when we ask anything, according to Your word you will here and answer us. Thank You for teaching us to know your will and how to walk in it. Father, thank You for guiding us into all truth. In Jesus’ name Amen!

Thank you for joining me this morning for Morning by Morning until tomorrow,

Have A Blessed Day…go in God’s Peace!

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#18 “The Discipline of Prayer”

(Pt. 2)

“If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister,

thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how

can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt:

Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.”

I John 4:20-21

The Massage Bible (MSG)

Welcome back, yesterday we concluded or lesson with Psalms 16:11— “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The question was, If we’ve enter into the presence of “Fullness of JOY” and pleasures forever more; how can we step out and be just a hateful as before we entered? What happened to the Fullness of Joy, and Pleasures forever? Why can’t they last until we leave the room? Did they drop off at the door? As a minister I have on occasion counseling with married couples over the past several years. It always amazes me when  the complaint of the husband is, “I just don’t understand how she can spend hours in morning prayer, yet she’s can still be mean and hateful towards me?” “How is that possible?” Well the truth of the matter is this, it’s possible for one to spend time in prayer and not be changed. How? When we enter a time of prayer and don’t allow God to have free course into our lives.

Once many years ago I took part in a Billy Graham Crusade in my home town. As was his custom, all who had volunteered to work had to attend a three day training session. During this session they told us a story about a lady whom the Lord came to visit. She was shock to find him at the door when she opened it; however, was glad to see him and invited him to stay for a while. She told the Lord that He was welcome and had the full run of the house. As she showed the Lord, around the house they came to a room at the top of the stairs, which was locked. The lady quickly rushed pass the door hoping, the Lord would not ask why the door was locked or what was inside. She continued on walking but soon realized the Lord was not with her. Looking back she saw him standing in front of the locked door. The Lord ask for the key to the lock door, ”there is something inside there I must deal with!”He said. The lady refused telling the Lord that He has access to every room in the house except that one. With that the Lord turned and walked back down the stairs headed for the door. The lady asked, “Lord where are you going?” “I’m leaving”, he replied.” “But why!” she replied. I’ve told you are welcome and you have the full run of the house!” All except this one door, can’t you just leave it alone? No said the Lord, if I’m going to live here I must have full access to every area of the house, or I can’t stay. The lady was afraid that if the Lord saw what was in that room He would not stay, but now he was leaving anyway. So she agreed to give Him the key.”

Often times we enter into the presence of the Lord, seeking His face; yet in our hearts there are areas we are not willing to allow Him to access. This access must be given freely, just as the woman had freely given the Lord the key to her locked room. Well isn’t He God, He doesn’t need a key? Yes, He is God, but He will not enter any area of our lives without our permission. He has given us a will and sometimes we will not, to allow him access to, the dark places in our hearts. Beloved, just remember that what you are not willing to release, the Lord cannot erase. This is why a person can leave off praying to God and still harbor bitterness, resentfulness, anger, unforgiveness and much more in their hearts. They just are not willing to let go of the hurts, pains and turmoil of their past. By locking these doors to the Lord they are not forced to confront the issues behind the locked doors. however God knows they are there and longs to heal them, let him do it, give Him the key and access to whats behind the door.

When we enter into genuine prayer, we come before the Lord, naked and uncovered concealing nothing. after all what’s the point of trying to hide, He sees it anyway? When the prophet Isaiah came into the presence of God he said, “Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone and ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”(Isaiah 6:5) When we freely come into the presence of God, our sins, should be exposed and we should realize we are coming up short before the Lord, just as Isaiah did.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you this morning for your Son Jesus Christ, who given us access into your presence. Father, search us and try our hearts, if there’s any wickedness remove it and cleans us completely. This morning Father we give You access to the secret things, the hidden thing in our lives. we give you full access to every chamber of our hearts. We unlock every door and ask You to come in and clean, renew, restore everything therein. Father let us be like Isaiah, when we come into your presence, let us see the ugly things, which keeps us from being transformed in your presence. Let us see the barriers, which prevent us from receiving the Fullness of Joy, which is there in your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

This concludes Pt.2 and tomorrow we will start Pt3 of “The Discipline of Prayer” I trust you will be here, until then…

Have A Blessed Day…go in God’s Peace!

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#17 “The Discipline of Prayer”

(Pt. 1)

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant,

but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those

who have been trained by it.”

Hebrews 12:11

English Standard Version (ESV)

Discipline, a word most of us don’t like to hear. Why? Mainly because we know that it will require some level of suffering and our body instinctively resist any form of self denial. Have you ever told yourself that you were going to start do something tomorrow; only to find that tomorrow sometime takes forever to come? The truth is that tomorrow still comes as always, but we lack the discipline to follow through with our plans. Let me say for the record that there are many forms of discipline; we are not talking about the discipline of correction, although all discipline has its origin from this root word. So what is discipline? Well let’s talk about what The Discipline of Prayer is not. It is not the discipline of punishment, instruction or correction in the since that someone else is enforcing it over you. Yet it is all of the above, but it is done by choice, not under duress; therefore it is called "self-discipline."

What did the apostle Paul said about discipline, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." Why did he say this? Because, Paul knew that living solely by our sinful nature, would cost us our lives. Look at the people who are living wild and selfish lifestyles; they may look as though thet're having, in fact they are; however, their days are numbered, so to speak. Why, because their reckless and abandon lifestyles will eventually kill them if they don't change. Whether it is death from drug overdose or liver failure from excessive drinking or lung cancer for prolonged smoking or maybe death for some STD contracted during unprotected sexual activity. Nevertheless, it could eventually cause their death. Apostal Paul knew, that he must discipline (control) his body or he too would end up disobey the commandments of God.

So then what is the "Discipline of Prayer?" Let’s look at it this way, if prayer is the catalyses, which propels us forward into our spirituals life; then prayer is the most central component of our Christian experience or life. Why, because it escort us into uninterrupted communion with our Heavenly Father. There are three main components to continual communion with God,

1. Meditation - deals with the inner man helping to bring it into balance, peacefulness and calm.
2. Fasting – helps to subdue the cravings of the body, long enough for you to seek the face of God.
3. Studying Gods Word – helps to transform the mind, renewing it daily this is why we call it daily prayer or devotions.

The discipline or Prayer helps to usher us towards a deeper more heighten level of communion with God. True pray in and of its self is a source of life and has the power to completely altering our lives. William Carey once said, “Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness,” is this true? Well James 5:16b says, ”The Effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Therefore, prayer can be both secret and fervent; but it undoubtedly must be” believing”; for herein lies the very core of our personal devotion to God. The interesting thing about daily devotion to prayer is that it will change you completely through and through. I’m leery of people who can walk out of their prayer time before the Father, still brandishing nasty dispositions or temperaments.

The book of Psalms tells us in "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” I struggle to comprehend how someone can walk out of the mist of "fullness of joy and pleasure" and still act unpleasant and disagreeable with those they come into contact with? So where is the residue from being in God’s presence? Can any one walk into a smoke filled room and not walk out smelling of smoke? How then can a person that gets up early to pray for 2-3 hours in the morning, reverts back to their same mean and hatful behavior once they walk out of their prayer closet… can we say, “Huston we have a problem?” Clearly, there is a disconnect somewhere in that line of communication, between them and God. If we enter into the presence of “Fullness of JOY” at the right hand of God wherein lies pleasures forever more… what happened to the evermore? Did it drop off at the door? Well, join me here tomorrow to find out.

My Prayer— heavenly father as w enter into this study of the “Discipline of Prayer” help us to see the transforming nature of daily devotion with you. We ask you to begin the inner work of renewing our minds as we study Your word and seek Your face. We want to be transform by Your word so that we will conform to the ways of the flesh and this world. Like Paul we want to bring our bodies under subjection to your will and plan for our lives, teach us daily as we come before your presence, instruct us in Your will, in Jesus’ name we pray Amen!

See you here tomorrow until then,

Have a blessed day…go in God’s Peace!

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#16 “Intimacy and Relationship with God”

“And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God

with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).

This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.”

Matthew 22:37-38

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Intimacy and relationship, for most this is something we as human beings struggle with between ourselves, let alone with God. How does anyone have an intimate relationship with God, the creator of heaven and earth, master of the universe? I remember when I was nineteen years old I gave my life to the Lord and He in return gave me new life.” At the same time I was born again my neighbor up the street from me had also given her life to the Lord. Foe me this was great, to have somebody born again too; because; she and I were just a year or two apart in age.

One Sunday after church she and I were talking and she said, “last night I made Love to the Lord, it was so good!” My eyes widen and I immediately thought to myself, okay she’s a nut case!” For me this was sacrilege to say something so disrespectful about God; subconsciously, I began stepping back just in case lighting fail from heaven and stroke her. She went on and on about this romance session. I couldn’t believe my ears; she was talking about GOD as though He were her lover? Needless to say, I put some distance between she and I; because, God forbid that I should say anything like that.

However I could not notice that her relationship with God was different but I just didn’t know why. Her worship was different, her praise was different and it made me want to know God the way she seem to know Him. It wasn’t until many years later that I came to know this level of worship and intimacy with the Lord. Then I finally understood what she meant, when she said she made love to the Lord? You see our carnal minds can’t phantom intimacy with the Lord GOD; how is something possible or even right? The truth of the matter is God longs for intimacy with us, after all this is why He created man in the first place. He wanted relationship, intimate relationship, communion and deep fellowship with man. This is why Adam walked and talked with God in the cool of the evening.

There are numerous accounts in the word of God, of men who knew God intimately, there’s of course Adam and there was Enoch, who was so close to God that it is said he never tasted death, “"And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Genesis 5:24. Then there’s my personal favourite King David, who wrote Psalms 23—“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,” I’m sure you are familiar with that passage, which was birth out of intimacy with God. This is why it was said of David, “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” Does that mean that David was perfect? No it just means he had spent personal, intimate time with the Lord and know His heart’s desire. Oh to know God’s heart’s desire, what could be more wonderful? Oh to know him, to look upon his face, to behold the beauty of His amazing grace. Men will find cause for intimacy with any and everything, except God the Father, the true lover of his soul.

King David teaches us what it means to be close to God, but then Abraham taught us what it meant to be a friend of God. (James 2:23) Moses taught us what it meant to talk face to face with Him. David was a man after His own heart, Abraham was His friend; but Moses talked with Gods, face to face! There were only two other men who could make such boast of the Lord, Adam the origin of mankind and Enoch who walked so closely that God took him to be with Him. (Genesis 5:24) Yet here was Moses, talking face to face with God and oh how it changed him. I am convinced that no mortal man can come in close contact with the Almighty God and not be changed forever. We each should desire a relationship of such intimacy with Father God. He longs for close personal intimate relationship with each of us; let us longingly desire the same thing. “And He replied to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind (intellect). Matthew 22:37

My Prayer: Father God, this morning we come seeking your face, not your hand but your face. We want to know you! We want to behold your beauty teach us how to have an intimate relationship with you. We want to know you like never before. We want to feel your presence, to hear your voice and to experience your love completely. Father just as you walked with Adam, walk with us instructing us. Just as you walked with Enoch, walk with us teach us how to follow closely after you. Just as you talked face to face with Moses, father we want a face to face encounter with you that will transform our lives forever! Draw us close to you and never ever let us go! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Have a Blessed Day…go in God’s Peace!

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#15 “Finding A Common Thread”

“I said, “God, God-of-Heaven, the great and awesome God, loyal to his covenant and faithful

to those who love him and obey his commands: Look at me, listen to me.

Pay attention to this prayer of your servant that I’m praying day and night in intercession

for your servants, the People of Israel, confessing the sins of the People of Israel.

And I’m including myself, I and my ancestors, among those who have sinned against you.”

Nehemiah 1:6

The Message (MSG)

Consider the simple prayer below. Would you be surprised to know that this is a Hindu prayer? What an eye opener this short prayer was for me... that some religion besides mine could recognizes how infinite God is and how frail are our efforts to express our worship to Him.

“O Lord, forgive three sins that are due to my human limitations:

Thou art everywhere, but I worship you here;

Thou art without form, but I worship you in these forms, made by human hands;

Thou needest no praise, yet I offer you these prayers and salutations.

Lord, forgive three sins that are due to my human limitations“

As I read this prayer I am reminded of this photo I took while on a mission’s trip to India in 2006. This picture made me even more aware of man's need and desire to define who God is. Are they so much different from us; when there is a church on nearly every corner of our neighborhoods? King Solomon said, “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You; How much less this temple which I have built!”

Are we so different from other religions of the world? When we still look for new idols to worship by magnifying the gifts, which God the creator has bestowed upon His creation. It's not surprising in light of the fact, men are intrinsically religious beings and have a innermost need to worship… something, whether in heaven or on earth. Therefore in the absence of true worship to the Creator, they will inevitably worship the creation, be it celestial, animal, vegetable or even human. God has placed within every man the knowledge of who He is; however Romans 1:12 tells us, “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God”

Every since the fall of mankind, man has been searching for God their creator; whether, they realize it or not. They try to find him in wild living, multipule sexual partnersor other means; realizing no late it’s not what they're looking for. Drugs, alcohol and pornography, you name it they'er all attempts to find inner pace, which can only truly be found in God. I was amazed to learn that India has 330 Million Faces of God or deities which they worship. They are truly in search of God, but still have not come to know who He really is. Paul said this in Acts 17:23- "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." Would that they knew that there is only one True and Living God, the Creator of heaven and earth Himself. Then they would worship Him alone.

Even here in America there are many idol gods being worshiped; however, we wouldn’t dear say that they are gods. We have gone from worshiping the creator to worshiping the creation it’s self. There are men who boast that they are god; because, they provide food, shelter and clothing for their children. They boast without realizing they could do nothing, if Almighty God did not give them the ability to do so. Can man heal his own body? Protect his mind or eyes form fading in his old age? Can he raise the dead? Or calm a raging sea?

Is there a common thread in our pursuit to connect to and worship something or someone? I venture to say, “yes”, each of us have a need to worship, here’s what Ecclesiastes 3:11— He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy],” All of mankind has a driving desire to worship God, but let us make sure that we are not robbing the Creator or the glory due Him, by worshiping that which He Himself has created.

Blessings, go with God’s Peace!

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#14 “God Wants Communion with Us”

Late in the afternoon a breeze began to blow, the man and woman heard
the Lord God walking in the garden...The Lord called out to the man and asked,
 “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:8 ~ Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Dear ones please know that God wants to speak with us daily? During your morning devotion, write down what He says to you. Start with worship, praise and Praying in the Holy Spirit, then stop and listen; generally, what comes to your mind is God speaking. He always speaks in the first person. We have to give allow the Holy Spirit to take control and trust Him. We are so afraid to trust God’s Spirit. What if it’s my imagination? What if it’s the devil? Where is your faith? The Word of God says: “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”(Matthew 7:7-11)

In II Corinthians 3:17 it is written: “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Where the Holy Spirit is allowed to be Lord, where He is given full right of way, liberty to do as He pleases, where His is not limited, He will bring Liberty. The Fears of man continue to keep us bound and imprisoned to sin. We are often more concerned with the opinions and approval of man than with doing the will of God. We as human beings needs to be brought to the cross; in fact, this is what happened while Jesus was here on earth: “Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God”. (John 12:42-43)

Liberty is not licence, doing as one pleases! We have to make sure it is the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is important to know that when ever God’s the Holy Spirit comes in; our human spirit tries to reason it out. Is this just me or really God? The Lord is not fazed by our questioning; these doubts will soon passes. It is part of our learning to discern the good from the bad and the precious from the vile. That is why it is important to test everything and cling onto that which is good. To utterly dismiss something because it is strange or outside of our experience range, is equally undue and risky. The Pharisees accused Jesus of driving out Satan by Beelzebub and He said that the sin against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven them, for you cannot call that which is from God evil. We must invite the Holy Spirit to come and then, whatever we do, don’t hinder what He wants to do.

My Prayer, Father we welcome your presence and Holy Spirit. We want to have sweet communion with you on a daily bases and learn to know your voice. Your word says, “My sheep know my voice and another they will not follow.”(John 10:27) Teach us to know your voice and silence all other which are trying to lead us astray. Father teach us to have liberty in our worship and praise, giving you all the glory! Break the bondages which hold us captive and completely set us free. Renew our minds day by day in Jesus name we pray...Amen!

Have A Blessed Day...Go in God's Peace!

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#13 “The Difference Between Prayer and Intercession”

"I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness
that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap
in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one...”

Ezekiel 22:30

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

What is the difference between “Prayer and Intercession?” Let’s take a look at both of these words and find out. In the book of 1 Timothy 2:1—“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men.” Here Timothy is admonishes us to first make “supplications, then prayers and then intercessions, why? Let’s take a look at each of these words this morning.

Prayer - encompasses your personal relationship with the Lord. This is where you spend time before Him, inquiring of His will for your life, your daily instructions from Him. All men should pray and seek the face of God on a daily bases. This is how we get to know His heart and what He desires from us. When we pray the Lords pray this is in essence what we are doing. We are acknowledge that He is our heavenly Father and declare His Holiness, ask that His Kingdom and that His will be done in this earth. Give us daily provision, forgive us as we forgive others, keep us for sinning and protect us for evil. And lastly we declare that He is God, all powerful today and forever! This is prayer, simple and direct yet so many find it difficult to pray daily. There are many types of prayer; nevertheless, today we are only focusing on the two mentioned specifically in I Timothy 2:1. However be assured that at a later time we will cover the various other types of prayer and how they are used and why.

Now let’s look at intercession according to Webster’s dictionary it means, “to intercede, to go or to pass between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend, to mediate or make intercession: mediation. Jesus is our greatest example of an intercessor in fact He is the ultimate intercessor; because He bridged the gap between God and mankind. There are numerous examples of man interceding before ruler, kings and even God Himself on mankinds behalf. Abraham interceded on behalf of the whole cities of, Sodom and Gomorrah, that God would not destroy it because of their sinfulness. Moses interceded before God for the children of Israel when they had sinned by worshiping idol gods, which they had made. Who can forget the story of Queen Esther who at risk of losing her own life went unannounced before the king, to petition for their salvation? For anyone to come before the kink unenvited was sudden death. Mordecai, Esther’s uncle had asked her to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people and she did and their lives were spared.

The Prayer of Intercession - is standing in the gap before God on the behalf of man. The Lord said in our opening scripture Ezekiel 22:30 —"I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one...” God search heaven and earth for someone to stand in the gap, to petition Him for the life of mankind; however, there was not man on the earth that was righteous enough to stand. Then Jesus said, “I’ll Go…”, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” —Isaiah 6:8

Now the Lord Jesus is asking the same question, “Who will go for Me, who will stand in the gap?” Men and women are dying at an alarming rate today and many of them are dying without knowing the Lord Jesus as their personal savior. Who will intercede for their salvation? Who is willing to stand in their behalf before God that they might be saved? We must always remember that; although, Christ died for the sins of the world, the world must still receive Him as Lord and Savior. We must continually petition heaven for their repentance and salvation until they do. Intercession is not regarding the one who's praying; rather on behalf of those who have not accepted Jesus as Lord. I can recall a song the old mothers use to sing when I was a youth. “Somebody, prayed for me, had me on their mind and took the time to pray for me. I’m so glad the prayed, I’m so glad they prayed, I’m so glad they prayed for me!” where would we be if someone had not taken the time to pray for us? Now it’s time to pay it forward, so to speak and take the time to pray for someone else.

My Prayer: Father, today we stand in the gap for those who don’t know you, who have not accepted your Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Father, you said 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act." So Father, we interceede for them, Lord turn their hearts to You. Cause them to see that they need You, that they will call upon your name that they may be saved. Father, place someone in their path that can speak words of life to them, don’t let them die in their sins. We thank you for your grace and mercy which cover them. We give you praise for what you are going to do in their lives! In Jesus name Amen!!

Have A Blessed Day… go in God’s Peace!

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#12 “The Importance of the Pray of Agreement”

“I promise you that God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth,

but he will not allow anything you don’t allow.  I promise that when any two of you

on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.

Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.”

Matthew 18:18-20

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

One of the most difficult things for me to understand these days is the division of the churches. Everyday there’s a new church built on every corner; however, we continue to become, more and more disjointed. This is difficult comprehend; because, of the above scripture, tells us the power we have as the unified body of Christ.

The Lord has promised that when we pray the, “prayer of agreement”, His Father in heaven will do what we ask. Consequently, we should not hesitate to get together to pray. Regardless to what our denominational differences are, we should all be praying the will of The Father into this earth. Therefore we should have a common thread of agreement. My prayer is that we will quickly lay aside our differences and join our faith and prayers to see God will be done in the systems of this world. Please understand that we are not in agreement on earth, until we come into agreement with heaven.

One of my favorite scripture is in Revelations 11:15 — “At the sound of the seventh trumpet, loud voices were heard in heaven. They said, “Now the kingdom of this world belongs to our Lord and to His Chosen One! And He will rule forever and ever!” As children of God we should continually pray His will be done here on earth. Especially, now as we here in America are in the mist of electing or reelecting a president to lead our nation. When we stand in agreement regarding Gods will for this nation, there should be not division. Either we believe the word or we don’t and this is the real question up for election.

Do we all want what the Father wants?  James 4:1-3 say, “Why do you fight and argue with each other? Isn’t it because you are full of selfish desires that fight to control your body? You want something you don’t have, and you will do anything to get it. You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won’t get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it. Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons.”  How can we ever see the will of the Father accomplished, when we are fighting for what we want; let us not forget, “Father, not my will, but Your will be done?” As we pray let us always remember, it’s not all about what we want; rather, what does the Father want? What is God's will regarding this matter? Then we can stand together and pray the prayer of agreement and God will do it?

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, today we ask you to take away the strife between us and cause us to be in one accord with your word and will. You said draw near unto me and I will drew near to you” Father drew us closer to you this morning. Open the eyes of our understanding of what you want to accomplish in this earth, and help us to walk in that.  Father tear down the walls of division, which separates us from one another, bring us together in love and agreement according to Your word. Scatter the forces of the enemy, which seeks to keep the body of Christ disjointed and broken, and put us back together again. Father we set ourselves in agreement with Your word this morning and pray that Your Kingdom come and your will be done in our Governments, our elected official and representatives; cause their hearts to be turned Your agenda and not their owns. In Jesus’ name Amen!

Have a Blessed day...go in God's peace!

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#11 “Why Should I Pray For My Enemies”

 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion,

‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies.

Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.

When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer,

for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.”           

            Matthew 5:43-44 - The Message (MSG)

Even the nicest person in the world has enemies, even if it makes no sense it true.  Even I have enemies, people who have for one reason or another, have chosen not to like me. What do you do when this happens?  I just start praying for them. Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” However, the Lord wouldn't allow me to leave it there; it wouldn’t be long before I was in deep intercession and agony over their soul.

We must realize that people may not like us but it doesn’t give us a reason to not love them back. Jesus said, "...you have heard the old law, Love your friends/neighbor as yourself,” but do you also remember the verse which says, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” It’s not hard to pray for those who love us, however, nothing within us wants pray for those who are bring us pain or grief. But this is just what the Lord has instructed us to do.  But why should I pray for my enemy? Can I give you five reasons, why you should?  

1.       That God bestows His grace on their lives – So that God will bless them and cover them with His grace. Would you pray this for your friends and love ones? Then you must do so for your enemies as well.   Love always looks beyond our faults and sees our true need, and their true need is not that they love you; rather that they love the Lord God.

2.       That God’s grace would cover you – When we take the time to pray God blessings on someone, this opens the door for you to be blessed as well. The truth of the matter is this, if we will not forgive others their faults, God will not forgive us our faults. Sounds like a fair exchange to me, how about you?

3.       Our praying is an act of humility – It requires a lot of us to pray for someone we know don’t like us and is out to get us.  Just remember Romans 12:19 says, vengeance belongs to Him and He will repay them. So don’t become the object of God’s vengeance yourself while, trying to get back at them.

4.       Because they belong to God – The Psalms 24:1 tell us, “The earth and everything it contains is the LORD's. The world and all who live in it are His.” We do not have a right to touch what belongs to God negatively, if we do we’ll have to answer to Him. 

5.       For the peace of God – Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses." It’s hard to hate someone you’re praying for on a daily bases. Why, because you start to love their soul and pray for its salvation, you begin to care for them.

My Prayer: Farther God, we lift up before You this morning those who contend with us, who speak all kinds of evil against us. Father, today we ask you to bless them to come to know you as Lord. Bring them to repentance and save them from destruction. Father, turn their hearts towards you and help them and us to walk in peace. Help us to be a light shining into the darkness, which is within their hearts. Give us the words to speak to them that will cause them to see their true heart and relent for doing evil. In Jesus’ name Amen!

Have a blessed day...go in Gods peace!

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#10 “Why Is Praying in Faith Important”

“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father and ask for wisdom.

Anyone asking God for wisdom will receive it; because,

God’s very nature is to give to everyone without giving

it a second thought, without judgment or score keeping.”

 James 1:5 - The Message (MSG)

Have you ever prayed for something, asking over and over again; however, you didn’t receive an answer from God? You may not know it, but you are not alone; in fact, unanswered prayer is one of the primary reasons many people don’t pray.  Unanswered prayers, leaves us wondering, “What’s wrong with my prayers, is God angry with me? Why did God, not answer my prayer? So does God answer some people's prayers and not others? Is God a respecter of person; only answering the prayers of important people? Well let's take a closer look at why some prayers, seemingly go unanswered by God?  

There’s one simple answer to all of the above questions, when we ask God for something we must ask in faith, believing and not doubting.  James 1:7—“whoever asks God for anything shouldn’t hesitate, but ask boldly, believingly, without giving it a second thought,” anyone not asking in faith will not receive what they are praying for. So what does it mean to ask in Faith?” If God says He is Jehovah Rapha (God our Healer), if God says He is Jehovah Jireh (God our Provider), if God says, He is Jehovah Rohi (God our Shepherd), if He says, He is Jehovah Shalom (God our Peace); then He is, what He says! We then must pray believing that God is who He says He is, this is asking in faith! If you did not believe that God could do what you ask, why would you ask in the first place? Once we ask God for something we must believe it so completely that nothing can shake our faith regarding that prayer.

James 1 goes on to say, “They should ask in faith, without doubting. Whoever doubts is like the waves of the sea, tossed and turned by the wind. People like this should never imagine that they will receive anything from the Lord; because, a double minded man or woman is unstable in all their ways.”  We can not waver back and forth, when it comes to believing God will do what we ask of Him. When we doubt God's word, we in essence tie His hands, preventing Him from acting in our behalf; because of our unbelief. We must become so confident that God hears our prayers and will answer them; that nothing, we hear or see will change our belief in our God. This means we read what God says about it and we believe and speak only that, nothing else!

We must know the promises of God and stand on them for our healing, our finances, our peace or mind and anything else we ask Him for. If we say we believe the word of God, then we have to believe that He will do what He promised! He is not a liar! God is not a man that He would tell a lie; neither is He a human being that He would change His mind. Has He ever spoken and not done what He said, or promised and not fulfilled it?  (Numbers 22:19-20) Once we receive a blessing, we are blessed; God will never take it back!

Beloved, let us continue to study the word of God, get it into your hearts and never let it go. Be like King David who said, “Your word Lord God, have I hid in my heart, so I will not sin against You.” God I will not doubt Your word, if You said it, then I believe it! Amen?

My Prayer: Father we thank you this morning for your unfailing love towards us. We thank you that You hear our prayers and You will answer us when we pray! Father, we will pray believing and not doubting? We will pray according to Your word knowing that You will honor Your word; for You said in Mark 13:31—"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.” And in Matthew 5:18 it says,” God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Word will be alive and working. Father, we stand on Your word and know that You will answer our prayers, we “WILL NOT DOUBT” we will receive according as Your word has spoken it! Amen!!!

Good day my friends...go in God's peace!

Follow this link to "Morning by Morning"> http://prayin4you.blogspot.com 

#9 “Lord Reveal Your Will To Us”

“The Scripture text says: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this;

never so much as imagined anything quite like it—What God has arranged

for those who love him. But you’ve seen and heard it because

God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you. The Spirit,

not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God,

and brings out what God planned all along.”

 I Corinthians 2:9-10 - The Message (MSG)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” Who was the Lord Jesus referring to in this passage? He was speaking of the Holy Spirit which He had promises would come to help us once He was going.  “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  When we enter into pray we should always remember to ask the Holy Spirit to come and join us. Why? Because He knows the heart of the Father and can reveal His will to us. We talked earlier this week about surrendering our will to the will of the Father; well this is exactly what the Holy Spirit teaches us to do.

How does the Holy Spirit do this? When we enter into prayer He will give us what we should pray, Romans 8:26 — “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter; He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

This is why we should not be afraid to enter into prayer, before the Lord, because the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say when we pray. Why do we need the Holy Spirit when we pray?  Let see what I Corinthians 2:11-14 say about it: “Whoever knows what you’re thinking and planning except you yourself? The same with God—except that He not only knows what He’s thinking, but He lets us in on it. God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that He is giving us. We don’t have to rely on the world’s guesses and opinions. We didn’t learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we’re passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way. The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. There’s no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah’s question, “Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?” has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ’s Spirit.”

Beloved when we pray, we are not along but the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) prays with and through us; so that we pray the true will of the Father into this earth. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you during your prayer time, by inviting Him to join you and help you to pray the will of the Father.  Not only that but He will also reveal the plans of God for our lives too; complete with God’s exceeding and precious promises, which the Father has in store for all who love Him and obey His will. This for me is "Prayer Made Easy - 101" we couldn't ask for it to be more simple! Just trust the Holy Spirit He will teach you.

My Prayer: Father, reveal you perfect will to us today, allow us to know and understand what you want to accomplish in this earth. Father we realize that we cannot know your true heart without the help of the Holy Spirit; so today we invite Him to come and join us in prayer. Holy Spirit, teach us, lead and guide us into all truth. Father, as we pray your will into this earth, touch the hearts of all men cause them to know who you are. Father we ask that you will send labors into their lives to speak words of life to them. Your word says, “How can people tell the Good News if no one sends them? As Scripture says, "How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News." Father send them out into all countries with the Good News. We ask this in Jesus Name. Amen!

Have a blessed day... go in God's peace!

Follow this link to "Morning by Morning"> http://prayin4you.blogspot.com 

#8 “Not My Will, But Yours Lord”

“I came down from heaven not to follow my own will

but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.”

 John 6:38 - The Message (MSG)

Often times we are faced with the decision of whether to go our own way or follow the will of God. Although it seems that we have the answer, often times we are making the wrong choice. Many times I have people tell me, “I prayed and God has given me the “Okay” so I’m going to do this or that.  However as soon as something happens in that situation and things turn out bad, they say, “I’m getting out of this!” This prompts me to ask them, “But what did God say about it?” After all didn’t you tell me He gave you the “Okay?” Sometime we have trouble distinguishing the will of the Father from our own. So how can we know, which voice we are hearing?

The Lord Jesus said, “I came here not to do what I want, but to do what My Father has sent me to do.”  We must know the will of the Father; however, this can only be known by studying His word and spending time with Him. Look at it this way, if you are a parent your children know what you expect of them; even if they don’t always do it. Why! Because they have spent time with you on a daily bases; they have listened to your instruction over and over for the whole of their lives. If you give them instructions to go and do a certain thing and give them clear instruction, they will strive to do everything you have instructed. We too are the children of God and we should know His will; because, we have spent time with Him listening/reading His instructions in His word. We too should strive to please Him by following His instructions, accomplishing His will not our own.

When we pray to the Father, we must make sure it is His will that we are praying and not our own desires. When praying whether or not to marry, enter into business or about situations on our jobs or in our homes; make sure to find a scripture, which applies to that situation pray God’s word regarding it. Father you said, “it is not good for man to be alone,” this is what God has said about marriage, you can stand on this when believing God for a mate. However, once your heart is involved with someone you want to marry, you should be praying “Father, not my will but yours be done” we must be willing to hear the heart of God regarding this person. But what if God says they’re not my mate?  What if He does, do you think the Father knows what’s best for you? If so you should be willing to trust Him regarding every issue in your life.

As children of God we must be willing to surrender our wills for the will and purpose of the Father. This will not always be easy; because, the human spirit will always want to have its own way. Remember that we serve a God who is omnipresent (everywhere) and omniscience (All Knowing - having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, and understanding; perceiving all things) He sees what we cannot and knows what we do not, this is why we must trust Him in all our heart.

Father thanks you to teaching us to hear, Your voice and to know your will. Thank you for leading us into your truth; help us to walk in your way.  As we spend more time with you Lord help us to know your voice and be willing to choose Yours will over our own.  We love you and long to be pleasing in your sight. Amen!

Have A Blessed Day...go in God's Peace!

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#7 “Can We Pray without Compassion”

"Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him,

and forgave  him of his debt. Shouldn’t that servant also have compassion,

on his fellow servant even as the lord had pity on him?"

Compassion, what does this have to do with prayer? Can we enter into pray daily and yet have not compassion for others, whether saved and unsaved? What is compassion? Compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.  The Lord Jesus was touched with compassion by our condition and volunteered to come and be the ransom for our sin debt. We were all being held hostage by sin and death. The price for our ransoms was one spotless/sinless life for fallen mankind. Now we are free! Therefore because of His sacrifice, we too should be moved with compassion for the needs of anothers.

 Jesus while leaving Jericho was surrounded by a multitude, when He heard in the distance two blind men calling His name. “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him. (Matthew 20:34) Why should we have compassion on other? You mean, besides the fact that God had compassion on us? Firstly, because our compassion for others, will reveal the love of God; causing them to want to follow Him. Secondly, it’s because God’s loving and compassionate and we are His reflection here on earth.

Many of us feel that we ourselves are in need of prayer and we cannot pray for others until we are right with God. This could not be further from the truth! We, who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, have been made righteous by His blood.  Jesus is ever making intercession for us before the Father? “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)  In fact, when we pray without compassion for other, God will not hear our prayers. James 4:3 says it this way — “And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure.”

Beloved, let us move from those selfish kinds of prayer, knowing that when we are concern and moved by compassion for others, God our Father will take care of those things, which concerns us.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us from the bondage of sin. Thanks you for giving us the opportunity to share your love and saving grace with all mankind. Father we realize that Your Spirit, Lord GOD is upon us, You’ve anointed us to bring good news to the poor; You’ve sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty, to captives and to open the prison doors, to those who are bound. Thanks You Father for teaching us how to pray, Your heart and will in this earth. Amen!

Have A Blessed Day...go in God's Peace!

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#6

"Let Us Humble ourselves Before God's Presence"

David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. Then he sat there and prayed:

Lord All-Powerful, my family and I don’t deserve what you have already done for us,

and yet you have promised to do even more. Is this the way you usually treat people?

 I am your servant, and you know my thoughts, so there is nothing more that

I need to say. (2 Samuel 7:18-20)

When we come into the presence of God, be assured that He knows the true intent of our hearts; there, we must come with sincerness of heart and mind. God tells us, "Man looks on the outward appearance but I look at the heart." The Father sees our hearts today!  In the presence of our God there's nothing to hide—He know our every though and desire. Therefore, let us not be afraid to inter into His presence and make our request known; after all, He already knows, He is simply waiting for us to bring it to Him and lay it down before Him. 

King David loved the Lord with all that was in Him and wanted to give God something from his heart. His desire was to show God, how much he truly loved Him; however, God already knew. God replied even before David could express what he desired to do. God longs for us to desire to please Him. We may not be a King David or even a Donald Trump with great wealth; nevertheless, Father God still sees our offering just as valuable and precious.  God is not impressed with our wealth, after all He is the once that has given us the ability to make wealth, it’s your wealth He wants. However, He is impressed when we freely offer ourselves each day in prayer and devotion.

If only we were like David who said, “No, I can’t offer the Lord my God a sacrifice that I got for nothing.”  Too often we give God the leftover of our day or life and feel that we have done some great thing.  David knew that without the Lord on his side he would be destroyed by his enemies and so too would we. When we come humbly before the Father, knowing that without the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood; we would not be worthy to stand before a Holy God.  God looks at us with compassion and welcomes us. Thank God for the Blood of Jesus that cleanses us and makes us wholly righteous!

Let us enter into his presence and thank Him for mercy, grace and the blood of Jesus!

My Prayer: Father we come to you this morning knowing, that only by the blood of Jesus are we worthy to enter you presence. We offer our praise to you as sacrifice. As the temple and priest of God, we know that we have a responsibility, to offer an acceptable offering and sacrifices. Teach us to seek your heart and face each day. We want to know you more, just as we know our natural friends, we want to know you even better.  Let your blood cover each of us this day as we seek to please You. Guide us in your righteous paths; show us how to know Your heart just as David, Abraham and Jesus did. We offer our lives as a pleasing sacrifice to you this morning. Amen!

Blessing today my friends…go in Gods peace!

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