Honoring God Through Prayer/0 Comments/in /by


God is honored through prayer because our will and strength are intentionally given to His glory. Our first love is remembered because the “eye” is focused on Christ. As the believer prays, peace, joy, and satisfaction, that is only found in a close relationship with Jesus is evoked. Through prayer, it is recalled how Christs’ worthiness, humility, and holiness on the cross places Him in a class all by himself.

Because of His infinite perfections, greatness, and worth, when prayers are uttered, the level of faith is increased, divine insight is given, God’s truth goes forth and His covenants and promises are guarded in the heart. 1 Chronicles 14:14 says, “so David inquired of God again, and God answered him…” Prayer acts like a soldier, the warrior never quits, the mind of Christ is kept and instructions are given to handle situations or tasks.

Even when it is unknown what to pray, Romans 8:26 NIV says, “the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” It is important in prayer as said in Mark 11:24 NIV “to believe that you have received” “through God’s wisdom, understanding and not forgetting or turning from them” Proverbs 4:5 NIV. Lastly, to accurately discern and pray the Word, “we must abide in Him” John 15:7 NIV and “…forgive” Mark 11:25 NIV.

2019 Prayer Schedule

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Communicating Through Prayer

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Prayer identifies the form of communication utilized by man to speak to God.  The people of God pray or talk to Him, to make solemn requests for help, expressions of thanksgiving, or even declarations of their hope and earnest expectations for His performance in their lives.  Many times, as a believer, we are faced with opposition and trials; however, the Word of God lets us know that God will never leave us or forsake us.  Jesus reminds us in Luke 18:1 that we must always pray and never grow weary in prayer.  In this parable, Jesus revealed how an unjust judge, who feared neither God nor man, was easily troubled by a powerless widow woman because she continually petitioned him to fulfill her request.  Our God is just; therefore, how much more is He ready, waiting and willing to fulfill the requests of his children if we would only make a commitment to talk to Him.

Jesus continually demonstrated the will and heart of God throughout the gospels.  God’s desire is that all His people will come to Him and speak to Him about their concerns.  Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Many concerning situations that we face are beyond our control; however, as believers, we have the promises of God; not only provision, defense, justification or even vengeance, but His peace. In Philippians 4:6-7, the Bible reminds us that we should never become anxious regarding any situation that we face, and if we are honest, many times we are initially overwhelmed. However, the Lord has made a way of escape for us through prayer, by giving us the opportunity to let our requests be made known unto Him and He promises to faithfully keep our hearts and minds in return. 

Prayer to the true and living Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the only reason why we are empowered to resist the continual attacks of the enemy, for which he continually comes to steal our joy, kill our hope and ultimately destroy our lives.  Many times, the very same afflictions that we face are easily accomplished in the lives of those who do not know how to fervently hope in God through prayer. In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please him, and he that comes to God must believe that he is and he will reward those that diligently seek him.  So, be encouraged and remember, God, is on your side.  Take a moment; 30 seconds, 15 minutes, or an hour, to pray and talk to your heavenly Father.  There is no religious form or an exceptional amount of faith required to be qualified to pray to God.  Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary, God has given you free access to boldly come before the throne of Grace, just as you are.  All you need is enough faith to simply open your mouth, speak to him and know that He is ready to hear and answer your requests right now.  Don’t forget; prayer will work if you work it!

Minister Dana Cox

 

Attitude of Gratitude/0 Comments/in , /by

As the year closes, take time to reflect on every blessing of this year. Some of you may not have received everything you’ve asked for, but God most assuredly has provided every need. Take on the Attitude of Gratitude in this season; we have a lot to be thankful for. Close the year with thanksgiving and walk into the new year expecting to receive EVERY blessing that has your name on it.

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

2 Thessalonians 5:18

Day 4: O Give Thanks

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Increase

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.  ​

Luke 2:52, New King James Version (NKJV) 

O Give Thanks: Day 3

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Believe It & Receive It

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 11:24, New King James Version (NKJV)

O Give Thanks Day:1
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Then he took up his oracle and said: “Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, son of Zippor! “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good.
Numbers 23:18-19, New King James Version (NKJV)

Relationship + Prayer/0 Comments/in /by
Most Christians want a strong relationship with God through Jesus Christ. After all, He died so we could have a living, thriving relationship with Him. This connection with God not only unlocks a peace that surpasses all understanding, but it also gives a sense of discernment that enables you to slay life’s giants and provides direction during times of uncertainty. It is a beautiful friendship like no other that gives us the power be victorious over all things, love others and have that unexplainable light that people notice.
With any relationship, communication is what builds and maintains its closeness. Friendships that allow you to express how you feel, be vulnerable and provide a shoulder to lean (sometimes cry) on are usually the strongest relationships. This is no different for a relationship with God. Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” He wants to be your closest friend, and through Prayer, you can live a secure life of knowing He will meet your every need.
-Brother Chris Henry
Prayer Changes Things/0 Comments/in /by

Prayer is inevitably the one thing that keeps us in constant contact with God, prayer is an act of obedience. Throughout the bible, we see how often it states to pray. Romans 12:10-12 states,
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” When we continue in prayer with God our relationship with him grows deeper, he will begin to reveal our gifts to us, and our faith will be strengthened. Prayer brings strength to us and helps us to understand what God is trying to say to us. When we as a people truly understand that by bowing down and submitting ourselves unto God thru his son Jesus Christ we will gain more clarity and he will begin to entrust us with more based upon our faith. God is a wonderful God who only wants us to be closer to him, when we give him more of us, he will give us more of him. Prayer builds our faith, trust, and hope in God; keep praying because God hears you.

Prayer, Purpose, and Power./0 Comments/in /by

Recently I had a revelation about myself; I am terrible at keeping in contact with people and checking in on them, I am terrible at maintaining relationships. One of my best friends, Londyn, wrote me a letter that opened my eyes to this revelation. In this letter, she detailed a timeline of our friendship, recalling the times I had stopped returning her calls, checking in on her and spending time with her altogether. She explained to me that she felt that our relationship had died because of my lack attention to it. I am currently in the process of learning that our personal life often mirrors our spiritual one. This letter caused me to reexamine not only my relationship with Londyn but my relationship with God. I realized I was neglecting my platonic relationships, as well as neglecting my spiritual walk.

When I examined my life, I realized that I fell out of a relationship with God because I stopped talking to him. Any relationship that you don’t water with attention, will eventually wither up and die; so was the truth for neglecting my private time with God. Recently I made the commitment to pray more and it has made all the difference in my spiritual journey. Prayer is the thing that fortifies and anchors me in God. It’s that thing that truly brings me out of whatever I am experiencing in life and allows me to enter his presence; focusing my mind on God and his promises, not the challenges.

How to pray.
Initially, my prayers started with me acting like Jesus was in the passenger seat of my car. I would talk to him about everything from how my day went, to my deepest problems. I carried that mentality where ever I went; I made a habit of talking to Jesus. I wanted him to be more real to me than the people I spoke to every day. Eventually, I started to carve out specific times of the day to center my mind and focus on God. Now it has evolved into the time where I clear my mind and my heart and not only speak to God but listen. It is in my prayer time that I hear the hopes and dream that God has for me. Praying often and consistently has allowed God to download his purpose for my life into me. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it states, “ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Prayer is the time where we humble ourselves, seek the face of God, then watch him forgive and heal us. In Prayer, is Power.

Bible verses that have encouraged me to Pray.
Mark 11:24
Matthew 26:41
Romans 12:12
Matthew 6:9-13
Luke 18:1
Romans 8:26
Philippians 4:6
Colossians 4:2

 

Treaha Weatherspoon