"The secret of a prayer life is that it is a life of prayer." Samuel Chadwick 'I give myself unto prayer' Psalm 109:4 David Brainer, 'Blesed be God, that I may pray' Andrew Murray - 'Blessed inner chamber, where I may approach God in Christ through the Word and prayer.' The command throughout Scripture is clear about a Christian's prayer life - Have One! We are to 'pray without ceasing'. We are to continue in prayer over everything. So it is needful for us to consider what our pray lives are like. Are they spiritual healthy? ARe they filled with God? ARe they selfish or glorifying unto Him?
I. The First Principle to consider is where are we at in our current prayer life. What are we actually doing in prayer?
Every great worker and saint for the kingdom that we have heard and read of their great labors for the Lord, had a great prayer life. It is utter foolishness to think that we are going to do anything for God without God. And the only way to be like God is to be with God. Murray said, 'Alone with God will make one wholly for God.' And the opposite of this truth is before us as well: the less we are with God, the less we become like God. Our prayer lives are reflective of how much time we spend with Him and how much we become like Him. A result that can be counted on in church lives today as well, as pastors lives and Christians in whole, is that we are not with Him enough to be like Him. Prayer lives are drastically reduced today to sick lists, needs (usually selfish desires) and our personal agendas. They are limited, they are carnal, at best and they lack any power to move the things of this world for God's glory. We must recognize this, and change the pattern of pray in our daily lives to meet the needs at hand. For where there is a great need, there must be a great response to meet that need. And if its not a great response then the need will not be met. When we consider that, out of 7 billion people are on this planet right now and that 3/4 of them are lost and without Christ --Than Is a Great Need! And the casual, lighthearted, sensual praying of churches and Christians does not rise up to meet that need. Therefore, we are losing more souls to hell than ever in the history of mankind. And God sought for a man to stand int the gap. Someone to come before and weep and pray with importunity and fervency to prevail over the souls of this world. What does your prayer life look like in comparison to this great need? How often do you pray? What is your structured prayer life look life? What components make up your prayer life? These are all questions and thoughts that we should examine and consider to develop a spiritual and healthy prayer life.
1. what are we doing? Is our church's houses of prayer?
there is a lot of interest and concern about prayer right now. And I say this in reference to days gone by over the last few decades, there seems to be more interest and concern for prayer. Tragedies are growing, disasters are more numerous and severe, world situations are more chaotic, and the future is uncertain for so many. With these types of situations at hand, it should compel God's peopel to seek His face. and in truth, the only reason we are in the situations that we are is directly related to the lack of prayer today. A search is needful to ask church's, families and individuals about their prayer time. We sing 'Sweet Hour of Prayer', are we spending an hour in His presence in prayer? do we those in the church know how to occupy an hour in prayer? Can they see the need of being specific or not? These are the concerns that should be addressed as to where we are or where we are not.
Let us begin with worship and adoration - Begin with a list of Who God is; lay out a list of verses that give description about God's attributes and revealings of Who He is. Declare what God has done and is doing and will do for you, family and the church. The mention of answered prayer, miracles, grace, Divine love, salvation and other wonderful works of God in our midst. If measuring time is of interest to you, here is 10 to 15 minutes. If you begin with 3 - 5 minutes then work to increase your knowledge of Who God is. If you can't see how active He is in your life, begin to ask God to reveal those things and open your eyes to see how much God fills with daily living. Your breathing, your abilities of walking, sitting, your thoughts, gifts, possessions, etc. see how God granted you these things and He can removve these things.
Next, let us spend time in confession. 1. Personal sins - 'if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' Where and what is your sin?
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