Tag Archives: prayer

October 17
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“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3, The Message)

As disciples of Jesus, we are we instructed to stay engaged as persons devoted to prayer — at all times and for all people.

Do not be discouraged because it seems that a prayer is too small to make any difference. Do not be discouraged because it seems that a prayer is too private to be heard. Great floods begin with raindrops; and the One who hears our prayer sustains the universe.

Pray first. Pray often. Pray for everyone.  – Luther

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August 27
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“I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1-2, NLT)

Imagine having the private telephone number to the President of the United States; or Warren Buffet’s personal e-mail address; or Bill Gates’ unlisted Skype number (yes, Microsoft owns Skype, too!). Imagine having an invitation to contact any one of them, at any time you wanted, for any reason, as often as you would like. 

Imagine the resources at your disposal!

All rolled into one — and any 100 other people you might choose to add — this resource would not be as big, or as powerful, as the help we have available from our heavenly Father. 

As children of God, we have God’s “ear.” The psalmist reminds us that He “bends down to listen” to us. 

Prayer is the child of God’s lifeline; and God values this relationship, as well. For example, He answered the prayers of the ancient saints; His only begotten Son taught us how to pray; and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. 

There is no substitute for prayer in the life of a Christian disciple. There is no substitute for prayer in a disciple’s relationship with his or her Lord. Resolve, as the psalmist did, to “pray as long as I have breath.” 

In the words of the hymn: “O, what peace we often forfeit; o, what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”  – Luther

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July 18
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“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10, NIV)

Praying for our friends (particularly when they have rubbed us the wrong way — as friends are in an excellent position to since they are close to us and know our “crimes” and our inconsistencies) can be a difficult choice.

In Job’s case, his friends did well at the beginning of his afflictions: They came to Job and sat with him for a whole week, saying nothing, but being present just the same. Then, they began to give advice. It was sincere advice, but it wasn’t intelligent advice.  Their advice grieved Job.

At the end of Job’s ordeal, it was time for reconciliation. Job could have borne a grudge but, in obedience to God, Job prayed for his friends. 

We can do our friends no greater service than to take what all we know of their crises, burdens, fears, and joys to the Lord in prayer.  (We impede the work of God when we choose instead to gossip, pontificate, speculate and prognosticate about the situations of our friends.)

Pray for your friends, as only true friends can.  – Luther

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