Does Prayer Connect us to God?

 

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Christian thought to ponder…. Does prayer connect us to God?

By praying to God, we come before Him and lay our souls bare before Him. We call upon His name and seek supplication and intercession for others and ourselves. It is a time when we can give thanks and praise for the blessings, He has given us and the things He has done in our lives and in the lives of others. Prayer helps build up our faith in Him; it is a time to confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness, wisdom, guidance, and counsel.

We are urged to pray at all times in Ephesians 6:18 and to “pray continually” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. When we refuse to pray or to pray for others, especially if it is because we do not agree with someone’s lifestyle, beliefs, or past sins, we are demonstrating a heart filled with pride and disobedience. Prayerlessness shows a mindset that we can do things on our own, and we do not need God’s help to win our battles. Prayerfulness, on the other hand, acknowledges our need for God, that we are dependent upon His grace, wisdom, and strength to win the battles in our lives.

Now more than ever, we need to pray for the people and leaders in our nation. Now is the time to step up and fervently pray for those who do not know Jesus that they may come to know him and be saved. Pray for our enemies who would mock us, do great harm to us, and yes, even kill us. Pray for all of those who have lost loved ones for speaking the Truth.

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” — Matthew 5:44

Our nation is in dire need of prayer as school shootings and other mass shootings are becoming the norm, such as the assassination of Turning Point USA Cofounder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University and the assassination of Minnesota Democrat State Representative Melissa Hortman and her spouse. Violence, immoral and corrupt behavior, and actions are spreading like a disease in this nation. Our nation needs Jesus, and our country needs our prayers.

There is a spiritual battle going on, and our nation is under attack and influenced by dark spiritual demonic forces. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggles are against physical forces and dark spiritual forces.

"our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness"

Paul is warning us that it is not just political leaders or military establishments that are controlling and shaping nations, but also evil spiritual forces. These demonic powers are using human vessels to help the enemy carry out Satan’s agenda. These human vessels are twisting and distorting God’s truth. They are pushing an evil agenda that is full of false truths and propaganda. They are actively opposing God, God’s will and plan, and God’s people. Prayer is our indispensable weapon to fight this evil.

Jen Psaki, former Whitehouse Press Secretary during President Biden’s term, downplayed the act of prayer in response to the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota. The children were praying when a trans shooter shot through a window at them and injured seventeen and killed two children during mass. Psaki wrote on X:

"Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does not end school shootings. Prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. Prayer does not bring these kids back. Enough with the thoughts and prayers."

It is obvious from Psaki’s statement that she does not believe in the power of prayer. Prayers throughout Scripture have shown that God hears our prayers and does answer them. Prayer has helped interpret dreams, saved the Israelites from genocide, given barren women children, provided revelation, destroyed enemies, driven evil spirits out, healed people, revived people who were dead, comforted people, and redeemed people. The list goes on and on in how God has answered prayers throughout the Bible. The outcome of those prayers may not be what people expected, but it fulfilled God’s purposes, His will, and His timing.

There are many examples throughout Scripture demonstrating how prayer can connect us to God. The following are six scriptural examples to follow.

Jesus was our model for prayer. He consistently went to the Father in prayer. Praying for the Father’s will and not his own. Prayer teaches us to trust His will and His timing.

“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” — Luke 22:42

Prayer is the way we connect and draw near to God. Prayer is a time we can pour out our hearts to God. 

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” — James 4:8

Prayer shows our dependence on God to help us through the storms that come into our lives.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 

Prayer gives us peace, strength, and comfort in our darkest hours of need.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” — Philippians 4:6

Prayer reminds us that we cannot live by our own strength and wisdom we need God’s guidance, provision, and wisdom.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” — James 1:5

Prayer is powerful and effective. Miracles can occur when we seek God in prayer. King Hezekiah prayed to God asking God for deliverance from the Assyrians and God answered his prayer and the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp.

“That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! “ — 2 Kings 19:35

O, Lord God!

You alone are the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. Teach us to pray in a way that is pleasing to You and will help us to connect with You. Teach us to be patient in our prayers and to learn to wait patiently, quietly, and trustingly for Your perfect timing. We lift up those souls who are lost and are suffering in this world, remove Satan’s blinding influence upon them and help them to embrace the Truth and believe in You.

In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

 

The Power of Prayer

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Prayer is the most powerful tool God has given us. It is a way to connect and unleash our hearts to God. It is a way to praise God, confess our sins, give thanks to God, and petition our needs or others' needs to God. 

Prayer teaches us to be dependent upon God and not on the world. God wants a relationship with us and wants us to draw close to Him. However, we must remember that God is not some genie in a bottle. You cannot rub the bottle and expect God will pop out of the bottle and grant your wishes. That's not how God works. We must be open to doing God's will and be accepting of God's answer to our prayers. Also, we must abide in Him and live holy lives.

There are numerous examples of prayer throughout the Bible. There are accounts of men and women praying to God in the Bible. Such as Moses praying on behalf of his people in the wilderness, Hannah praying for a child, Mary, the mother of Jesus, exalting God, or Jesus going off alone to pray and be with the Father. 

King David was a man of prayer. The Psalms have many of King David's prayers to God. There is one particular prayer by King David in 2 Samuel. This prayer shows his humbleness and adoration of God.

David’s Prayer 2 Samuel 7:18-29 (NIV)
18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:
“Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!
20 “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.
22 “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.
25 “And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight.
27 “Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

Even King David knew how powerful prayer was and had a close relationship with God.

American pastor and televangelist Pastor John Hagee, knows how powerful and how important prayer is. Pastor Hagee gives a moving short sermon on the Power of Prayer in the video below. He says, "a prayer-less Christian is a weak Christian. A prayer-less Christian is a miserable Christian." Prayer strengthens us and gives us peace and hope. Prayer teaches us to put our trust in the Lord and not in people. Nothing is impossible for God. Prayer is powerful. 

Heavenly Father,

We humbly come before You and we thank You for hearing our prayers. We want to draw close to You and depend only on You. Help us to be prayer warriors like King David. Help us to exalt You as Mary once did. Help us to be faithful and devoted to prayer just like Jesus. We praise You and give thanks for all that You do. Amen.

Pray you all have a blessed week!

Love and Blessings,

Carol

Faithful in Prayer and Prayer Tools

 

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A Christian thought to ponder...

Is your prayer life faithful and consistent?

My answer to that question is no. I fail so many times by letting things in this world distract me. Many times, when I am praying, whether at night or during the daytime, my mind will drift. My mind will not stay focused, and I get sidetracked from praying reverently to the Lord. It is similar to when you are in a deep conversation with someone, and then suddenly you get sidetracked by your cell phone or something else, and you abruptly turn away from the conversation. It is rude and disrespectful. So the same principle applies when you are praying to the God only ten times more. For God is our creator, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Alpha and the Omega, and the great I AM. He deserves one hundred percent of our attention and devotion.

Prayer is powerful, but it is also very personal. It is a way to connect to the Lord intimately. It is a way to cry our hearts out to him. It is a way to show our love for him, praise him, thank him, seek his assistance, strength, peace, direction, or protection, and it is a way to petition the Lord. Many women in the bible sought the Lord out in prayer by praising him, thanking him, and petitioning him. For example, in Mary's prayer (mother to Jesus), in Luke 1:46-55, her words show adoration and thanksgiving. 

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

In 1 Samuel 1:10-11, we see Hannah crying out loud to the Lord and petitioning him to give her a child.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

To be faithful in prayer, one needs to pray daily, fervently, and continuously. And just as it states in Philippians 4:6-7, we are not to be worried about anything and pray about everything. 

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

God will give us peace of mind and heart when we free our minds of all anxieties and place all of our troubles at his feet.

Prayer Tools

One way I connect with the Lord is through a prayer journal. A prayer journal is a great tool to reach out and connect with God by praising and worshiping him, confessing sin to him, and petitioning him. In addition, it is a great tool to use for reflection. You can go back and reflect on past journal entries and thank the Lord for helping you through a rough time or thank him when he answered prayer. Also, by writing in a prayer journal, I noticed I get less distracted by the things in this world. I am more intent and focused on my prayer and petition to God. 

Another prayer tool I use when I journal is the ACTS prayer model. ACTS is an acronym that stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. When using the ACTS prayer model, I will sometimes pick one or two verses from the Bible to meditate on and pray over. The Psalms is an excellent book to use for the ACTS prayer model. 

So what does ACTS stand for?

A:

Adoration of prayer: it is paying honor to God, or showing fervent and devoted love to God. It is praising God for who he is. It should focus on God's attributes, God's actions, and the Names of God. 

C:

Confession of prayer: it is acknowledging a sin or a conviction and confessing it to the Lord. 

T:

Thanksgiving of prayer: it is an expression of thanks to God. What are you thankful for, or what has God blessed you with that you are thankful for? 

S:

Supplication of prayer: it is a humble petition to God for needs that you may have or the needs of others. 

An example of the ACTS prayer model in my journal would be like this:

Heavenly Father, 

You are gracious, almighty, faithful, and good. You are the Great Promise Keeper and always promise to be with us. We are never alone, for you are the Good Shepherd always near, ever watchful, and protecting Your flock. You are the Great I AM, and there is no one like You. I praise and worship You and give You all the glory for all things. 

Forgive me for allowing the things of this world to distract me from being faithful and consistent in my prayer life. Please forgive me for placing the things of this world above You. I want a closer relationship with You. Please help me resist those things that tempt me and draw me away from You.

Thank you for taking care of all of my needs and my family's needs. Thank you for all Your blessings. Thank you for Your Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins, and thank you for the hope we have in him and for calling me into Your family. 

I lift up in prayer our Christian brothers and sisters who are being persecuted in red flag countries. I pray that You would protect them, help them have loving and forgiving hearts towards those who persecute them, strengthen them, give them peace, and provide for their needs spiritually and physically. I also lift up all the non-believers in the nations of the world. I pray that You would open their eyes to the Truth, that they would be humbled, and that they would turn to you in repentance and faith.

I ask all these things according to Your will and all for Your glory and praise. Amen. 

I hope and pray that you find these prayer tools helpful in your prayer life and helpful in organizing your thoughts and prayer requests.

Heavenly Father, 

You are sovereign, loving, merciful, faithful, and true. Thank you for Your Word to guide us, shape us and mold us. Thank you for giving us prayer tools to reach out to You and develop a closer relationship with You. Help us to make prayer a priority in our lives. Help us to stay focus on You and seek You at all times. Amen.

Pray you all have a blessed weekend!

Carol Moore

Pleasing God

Pleasing God

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A Christian thought to ponder ...

One constant battle I have within my marriage is my husband is always telling me I need to be more social. Well, I am not the social butterfly that my husband has become. I am the opposite of my husband. I am an introvert and a loner, and I have difficulty speaking to people I do not know. Sometimes I even stutter or freeze up because my brain doesn’t want to move with my mouth. Nevertheless, you know that saying, “Opposites do attract.” However, I often feel I can never please my husband because I am not the social butterfly he wants me to be. 

The enemy will often lead me down a road of depression, doubt, and fear. I often feel that my husband should have never married me and that he should have married someone more like himself. I often feel like an outsider at church, struggling to get into the gate, unsure of myself, scared of what others may think of me but knowing there is a fierce burning desire inside of me to yell out at the world how great God is and share it with everybody. Unfortunately, I let the enemy control my anxiety, fears, and doubts, and many times I let the enemy hold me back from sharing the Truth. But I have discovered through prayer, trusting God, and learning God’s Word that being a wife is not only about pleasing my husband; It is about pleasing God. 

There are several ways I have discovered to please God through the Word that I think is important for Christians to strive for each day.

Faith -  The first way to please God is through faith. One must have faith in God and believe that God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, Jesus, and that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins so that we may have everlasting life. “But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Love - The second way to please God is to love God. He is our creator. He gave us life, and He loves us. How could anyone not love the creator who created the beauty that is all around us and gave us life? “…to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,” Deuteronomy 11:13.

Trust - The third way to please God is to trust in God. Trusting God is a hard step for many Christians to follow because we live in a world that is all about "me". When the enemy is lurking about, it is a constant struggle to depend upon God. The world teaches us to do everything on our own. We tend to forget that the Father wants us to call upon him and rely on Him. We need to lay everything into his hands, and believe that he will take care of everything. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5.

Forgive - The fourth way to please God is to forgive one another. A forgiving spirit is a quality many of us fall short of and something we should all strive to attain; our example is in Jesus, and what better role model to follow as he forgave us all and died on the cross for all of us.  “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32.

Thanks - The fifth way to please God is to give thanks to God. Giving thanks to God is something many of us forget to do. It is important to thank God for the blessings he bestows upon us. Would any of us be where we are today and have the things we have if it were not for God?  “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Prayer - The sixth way to please God is to pray. We tend to let the things of this world be our excuse as to why we do not pray, such as, I have to go to work, I have to go to the gym, or I have to cook dinner. There can be no end, but you would not be able to do any of these tasks or partake in any of them if it were not for our Heavenly Father.  Why do we only seek Him in our most dire time of need? We need to be seeking Him at all times, telling Him how much we love Him and how thankful we are for all the blessings he has given us. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”  Philippians 4:6.

Obey -  The seventh way to please God is to obey God. Obeying God should be the heart of our Christian walk. Sometimes we fail, and we mess up; or we fall away and are disobedient to God. We should seek God's forgiveness and start anew. Our goal should be to strive to be Christ-like,  thwart the enemy’s plans, win over sin and temptation, and serve as witnesses for the Lord.  “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”  Luke 11:28.

Worship - The eighth way to please God is to worship God and only God. Do not worship idols or false gods. “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.”  Chronicles 16:9.

Knowledge - The ninth way to please God is to grow in the knowledge of His Word. Dedicate time daily to His Word. Spend time with him, seek his Words and get to know him. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” Colossians 1:10.

Rejoice - The tenth way to please God is to rejoice in the Lord. The Lord is like a brightly burning candle. However, if we let the winds of the world blow in, that bright candle flame will get snuffed out. His light burns brightly in each one of us. We need to rejoice and share that light with others. Rejoice in all things of the Lord – for his blessings, rescues, miracles, companionship, and life. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4.

Spiritual Gifts - The eleventh way to please God is to exercise the spiritual gifts that He has given to us. He does not want us to neglect these gifts but to use them to spread and share His Word with others who may be lost. "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

Giving - The final way to please God is by giving. Being generous is not only tithing, but it also is giving of our time. For example, helping someone in need, helping at a church event, visiting someone who is sick. “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.”  Deuteronomy 16:17.

Pray you all have a blessed week!

Carol