I re-read one of my favorite quotes this morning in my devotion time. It is from Francis Schaeffer. About God, he wrote: "He is there and He is not silent". There is meaning and purpose in the presence of God. His system works and is our only true hope. I like to ask God to help me not to talk about Him as though He is not here. If I realize that His presence is everywhere, my prayers are not needing to travel through the skies to some heavenly throne room location. He has taken up residence in the hearts of those who love and serve Him. God hears your heart.
Whisper a prayer in the morning
Whisper a prayer at noon
Whisper a prayer in the evening
To keep your heart in tune
God answers prayer in the morning
God answers prayer at noon
God answers prayer in the evening
So keep your heart in tune
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Special Places
In the pastorate, many times I am called upon to lead in public prayer. I enjoy doing that but I have found that private prayer is essential also for me. Andrew Murray in his book, “ With Christ in the school of prayer” makes a statement in one of his end of chapter prayers. He asks God to make the place of secret prayer the most beloved spot on earth to him.
As I recall the many places on this earth that I have been allowed to walk, there are many that stand out in one way or another. The fact that all the special places still exist is comforting to me even though many of those places have changed or may be inaccessible for one reason or another. The very spot that I gave my heart to God still is there and although I am unlikely to stand on that spot again it is physically still there. Whether it is the room I was born in, the spot where I caught my first fish, the place where I first spotted Ella as she walked on the sidewalk past the gas station where I was and I asked my friends, ‘WOW! Who was that?”, the spot where my sons took their first steps or the spot where I knelt and was ordained into ministry, it is comforting to know that those spots still exist. Only the “Moment” is gone.
My prayer today is that I will always keep a place in my heart for private time with God and that it would stand as the most beloved spot on earth to me. I urge the same for you.
As I recall the many places on this earth that I have been allowed to walk, there are many that stand out in one way or another. The fact that all the special places still exist is comforting to me even though many of those places have changed or may be inaccessible for one reason or another. The very spot that I gave my heart to God still is there and although I am unlikely to stand on that spot again it is physically still there. Whether it is the room I was born in, the spot where I caught my first fish, the place where I first spotted Ella as she walked on the sidewalk past the gas station where I was and I asked my friends, ‘WOW! Who was that?”, the spot where my sons took their first steps or the spot where I knelt and was ordained into ministry, it is comforting to know that those spots still exist. Only the “Moment” is gone.
My prayer today is that I will always keep a place in my heart for private time with God and that it would stand as the most beloved spot on earth to me. I urge the same for you.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The School of Prayer
In my devotion time early in the morning I have been reading the classic Andrew Murray book: “With Christ in the school of Prayer”. One of the lines in the early chapters caught my attention this morning. In teaching about our prayer place, he writes:
“Listen to your teacher! He tells you that when you go to private prayer, your first thought must be that God is waiting for you there in secret. Don’t let a cold and prayerless heart keep you from the presence of the loving father. The Lord is concerned about you the way a father is concerned about his children. Do not think about how little you have to give to God, but about how much He wants to give to you.”
It is a wonderful thing when our children call or email us to tell us what is happening in their lives. It seems that our heavenly Father enjoys a call from His children too. If we want the wisdom of God in our circumstances, we need to make time for Him to speak it into us. Finding a quiet place where “His Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are His children”
I must however guard against only going to God for what He can give me. My real reason for entering prayer should be simply because God is worthy. I do not and cannot understand all there is about God but I can know by faith that He is there and wants that fellowship with His creation.
William Walford was a man of little education but a full heart for God. He was a blind preacher who spent much time learning about prayer and memorizing the Bible. In 1845 He penned a poem that was later put to music that has come across the centuries to still bless us today:
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight.
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”
“Listen to your teacher! He tells you that when you go to private prayer, your first thought must be that God is waiting for you there in secret. Don’t let a cold and prayerless heart keep you from the presence of the loving father. The Lord is concerned about you the way a father is concerned about his children. Do not think about how little you have to give to God, but about how much He wants to give to you.”
It is a wonderful thing when our children call or email us to tell us what is happening in their lives. It seems that our heavenly Father enjoys a call from His children too. If we want the wisdom of God in our circumstances, we need to make time for Him to speak it into us. Finding a quiet place where “His Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are His children”
I must however guard against only going to God for what He can give me. My real reason for entering prayer should be simply because God is worthy. I do not and cannot understand all there is about God but I can know by faith that He is there and wants that fellowship with His creation.
William Walford was a man of little education but a full heart for God. He was a blind preacher who spent much time learning about prayer and memorizing the Bible. In 1845 He penned a poem that was later put to music that has come across the centuries to still bless us today:
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight.
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Gathering the Courage
In my lifetime eleven different people have taken the oath of office to be President of the United States. The event still holds me spellbound as an event of significance and change. The concept of starting with a clean slate and shaping a new administration is especially exciting in this time of uncharted waters of instability in the world. I read a verse in the Bible this morning that caused me to stop, re-read and ponder a concept. It is the place in the Gospel of Mark where Joseph of Arimathea wanted to ask for the body of Jesus after the crucifixion so that He could give Jesus a proper burial. It said that he “Gathered his courage” and went and asked the authorities for the body. Courage is one of those things that hangs around , sometime loosely, and must be gathered up from time to time. I need to keep it close so that when I need it , I can gather it up at any given moment . I don’t think courage can be bottled up and kept on the shelf. It apparently is to be gathered as needed. Rather than looking at it as an asset that I own, I must look at it as a gift from God that is available to be appropriated. My prayer for President Obama is that He will find the courage that he will need to face the challenges in a way that will honor God and in turn will bless the nation. Please join me in praying relularly for the new president and all our leaders.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Unplugging the microwave
I read a great testimony this morning about the great prayer warrior, George Mueller: I found it blogworthy:
He was devoted to rescuing orphans from the tragic street life that enslaved so many children in England during the time of Charles Dickens and the fictional Oliver Twist. Mueller cared for, fed, and educated thousands of such children. The cost was enormous, yet, amazingly, he never asked anyone for money. Instead, he prayed. He often received immediate, and dramatic answers to his requests. For example, one night at bedtime, when the pantry was empty, he prayed that God would provide breakfast for two thousand orphans. The Lord answered and the children ate in abundance at the usual hour the next morning. Miraculously, Mueller’s children never missed a meal!. While some answers were instantaneous, this remarkable man also practiced persistence in prayer. Sometime he waited for weeks, months or years for answers. He waited over fifty years for the salvation of one man. Often his faith was severely tested. But when he k new a request was God’s will, he would continue to pray daily, or several times a day, until the answer came. He did not interpret delays as denials.
Reading that this morning reminded me that in our instantaneous world, I must not give up trusting God and I must not rush the answer that will be on time. Perhaps I should unplug the microwave for a day and bring our the marinade dish.
He was devoted to rescuing orphans from the tragic street life that enslaved so many children in England during the time of Charles Dickens and the fictional Oliver Twist. Mueller cared for, fed, and educated thousands of such children. The cost was enormous, yet, amazingly, he never asked anyone for money. Instead, he prayed. He often received immediate, and dramatic answers to his requests. For example, one night at bedtime, when the pantry was empty, he prayed that God would provide breakfast for two thousand orphans. The Lord answered and the children ate in abundance at the usual hour the next morning. Miraculously, Mueller’s children never missed a meal!. While some answers were instantaneous, this remarkable man also practiced persistence in prayer. Sometime he waited for weeks, months or years for answers. He waited over fifty years for the salvation of one man. Often his faith was severely tested. But when he k new a request was God’s will, he would continue to pray daily, or several times a day, until the answer came. He did not interpret delays as denials.
Reading that this morning reminded me that in our instantaneous world, I must not give up trusting God and I must not rush the answer that will be on time. Perhaps I should unplug the microwave for a day and bring our the marinade dish.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Prayer Habit
I just completed auditing a great ISOM course on Prayer and Worship. I plan to require myself to re-study these principles on a regular basis. Below, I have pasted the outline from my sermon yesterday which was based on notes from the class. If you need a sermon, "This will preach" :
"The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of His answer. It is God we must have. He is more than enough for all that we need."
Life is too busy, and the important always gets swallowed in the tyranny of the urgent.
Prayer is the pathway to God’s Presence (John 7:37-38)
Jesus told us to come to Him if we are thirsty.
The neglect of the soul is a sure path to burnout
What does a healthy soul look like?
1. A continuing experience of grace
2. A sense of expectancy that is rooted in faith
3. The ability to respond to and see life from God’s perspective
4. Resilience
5. Compassion
6. Zeal
7. Integrity
8. Gratitude
Prayer was a common feature in the lifestyle of the early church
Prayer was the vehicle by which the Holy Spirit was poured out
Prayer was the vehicle for Miracles, Signs, and Wonders
Prayer was the means of Confirming and Commissioning God’s choice of Leadership
Prayer was the vehicle for Divine Guidance
Prayer was the Church’s Response to Persecution and Opposition
Prerequisites for hearing God’s voice
We must recognize the importance of Seeking God’s voice
We must commit to obeying God’s voice
We must stop long enough to hear God’s voice
We must learn to recognize God’s voice
We must anticipate hearing God’s voice
Seven Habits of Effective Pray-ers
1. Hearts in order
2. Houses in order
3. Persistence
4. Eternal Perspective
5. Bold Expectancy of Results
6. Pray according to the Will of God
7. Recognition of the seasons of the soul
"The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of His answer. It is God we must have. He is more than enough for all that we need."
Life is too busy, and the important always gets swallowed in the tyranny of the urgent.
Prayer is the pathway to God’s Presence (John 7:37-38)
Jesus told us to come to Him if we are thirsty.
The neglect of the soul is a sure path to burnout
What does a healthy soul look like?
1. A continuing experience of grace
2. A sense of expectancy that is rooted in faith
3. The ability to respond to and see life from God’s perspective
4. Resilience
5. Compassion
6. Zeal
7. Integrity
8. Gratitude
Prayer was a common feature in the lifestyle of the early church
Prayer was the vehicle by which the Holy Spirit was poured out
Prayer was the vehicle for Miracles, Signs, and Wonders
Prayer was the means of Confirming and Commissioning God’s choice of Leadership
Prayer was the vehicle for Divine Guidance
Prayer was the Church’s Response to Persecution and Opposition
Prerequisites for hearing God’s voice
We must recognize the importance of Seeking God’s voice
We must commit to obeying God’s voice
We must stop long enough to hear God’s voice
We must learn to recognize God’s voice
We must anticipate hearing God’s voice
Seven Habits of Effective Pray-ers
1. Hearts in order
2. Houses in order
3. Persistence
4. Eternal Perspective
5. Bold Expectancy of Results
6. Pray according to the Will of God
7. Recognition of the seasons of the soul
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Carpe Diem
The film “Dead Poet’s Society” is a story of an English teacher’s attempt to challenge a class of 1950’s post-depression school boys to grab hold of the opportunities life presents them. In that film, an old Latin phrase was resurrected. “Carpe Diem” means “seize the day”. It refers to living life to the fullest, to get the most out of each day. That concept is held up in the Bible when Paul wrote, ‘Make the most of every opportunity”. Of the many areas for me to seize today it seems that I need to make the most out of my prayer time with God. I am constantly fascinated that thanks to the work of Christ on the cross, every believer has the opportunity to enter into the throne room of God. What a tragedy it would be if that opportunity was ignored. Our human propensity toward preoccupation with activities and responsibilities has a negative effect on our prayer time. I need to create space in my life each day for God to act. If I do not create that space, that time will for sure fill up with other things. This all means I need to shelter space for Him. It matters because we matter to God. Martin Luther once defined prayer as a climbing up of the heart unto God. E.M. Bounds in writing about prayer said, “Prayer is the contact of a living soul with God. In prayer, God stoops to kiss man, to bless man, and to aid in everything that God can devise or man need.” E. Stanley Jones wrote that prayer is a “Time exposure of the soul to God” and Samuel Zwemer brought us the concept that prayer is the “gymnasium of the soul.” We have the invitation let’s “Carpe Diem”.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
An energized nation
Like millions of Americans I watched last night as the voters of our great nation made their wishes known. I am so proud to be an American today. I may disagree with my new president on issues, but he is on the top of my prayer list as he needs God’s help and God’s wisdom to step into this powerful position. This change in leadership of our nation will not change the fact that Jesus Christ is still on the throne. We are poised to experience a great revival move of God. These are not dark days, but days ripe for positive growth for the Kingdom of God. It is time to take the high road. God Bless America! And America Bless God !
“ Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, Bless His holy name.”
Psalm 103:1
“ Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, Bless His holy name.”
Psalm 103:1
Monday, November 3, 2008
Election Predictions
With the elections now within 24 hours, I am passing along a prediction sent to me by a friend. These are ten predictions that are a sure thing no matter who is victorius in the election.
10 predictions no matter who wins the Election:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
Oh, ... and God approves this message!
Prayerfully enter the voting booth.
10 predictions no matter who wins the Election:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
Oh, ... and God approves this message!
Prayerfully enter the voting booth.
Friday, September 19, 2008
A Smiling God
In my devotional time this morning I read a quote from R.A.Torrey that reminded me of a key truth:
“All that God is and…has is at the disposal of prayer. Prayer can do anything that God can do.”
As I read the scriptures, I find that God takes joy in His children praying the same as a parent delighting in the words of a toddler. There is a special sense of well-being that we feel when we feel the warmth of His smile when we pray inside the bounds of His will. It is then that we move from praying for others out of a sense of duty and begin to learn that true intercession is a privilege and can be fun. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that when we come to God we need to believe that He is and that he is a rewarder of diligent seekers. This makes prayer an adventure that draws me into God’s presence. It is an awesome feeling to know that God cares about the same things I am praying about. Praying for others needs to become second nature rather than a rare occurrence. Your prayers can move the heart of God. Wouldn’t it be a shame to ignore that opportunity?
“All that God is and…has is at the disposal of prayer. Prayer can do anything that God can do.”
As I read the scriptures, I find that God takes joy in His children praying the same as a parent delighting in the words of a toddler. There is a special sense of well-being that we feel when we feel the warmth of His smile when we pray inside the bounds of His will. It is then that we move from praying for others out of a sense of duty and begin to learn that true intercession is a privilege and can be fun. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that when we come to God we need to believe that He is and that he is a rewarder of diligent seekers. This makes prayer an adventure that draws me into God’s presence. It is an awesome feeling to know that God cares about the same things I am praying about. Praying for others needs to become second nature rather than a rare occurrence. Your prayers can move the heart of God. Wouldn’t it be a shame to ignore that opportunity?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Taking the scenic route
The past few days I have been on the scenic route instead of the short cut. In a schedule like I normally have, the value of the lessons learned on the scenic route can get missed. For each of the last two days I have had an evening moment of standing at a point overlooking countryside that is not found along the main thoroughfare. The condition of the heart is improved in times like that. The decisions made in life are most influenced by the condition of the heart, which when set on things above, helps us have a positive impact on our world. It is a dangerous rut to always be looking for the short cuts in life. I have often said that we are really into microwaving and God in more into marinating. I find that the scenic route does not relieve me of daily decisions and duties. The cell phone still rings, people in desperate situations still need prayer, bills still need to be paid and emails need to be answered, but if I have an improved condition of heart because I have taken time to be with God, my efficiency goes up. I think I need to pray more and my prayers are better on the scenic route.
“Prayer is where the action is."
-John Wesley
“Prayer is where the action is."
-John Wesley
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