Friday, December 19, 2008

A Christmas Meditation and Prayer

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Luke 2:7


In Luke 2:7 The Bible says: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”


As we approach the Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Christ. We focus on Christ, as our King, and His birth in a stable. What is the significance of His birth in a stable?


A stable is a place where animals including sheep were kept and many lambs were probably born in a stable. Have you ever thought that it was fitting and symbolic that Christ was born in a stable? Christ is the Lamb of God. Being born in a stable was a true act of humility.


As we come to Christmas, let us remember His humble birth and thank God that Jesus is the Lamb who came to take our sin away.


Father, as we celebrate Christmas, thank you for sending Jesus, the Lamb of God, who came to take our sin away. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.









©2008 Lewis Turner

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Praying for Others-- to Bear Fruit

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Col 1:10


Do you find it satisfying when something that you have done that is productive, results in something good? I think we all do.


There is a prayer in the Bible that speaks about bearing fruit. It is found in Col 1:10. And it says: "bearing fruit in every good work." Bearing fruit is a result of being productive and God wants us to be productive about doing good and bringing about good. Did you know that when Christ chose us to serve Him, He wanted us to be productive? So why don’t we ask God when we pray for others, that they will be productive in their lives.


Father encourage us in our prayer for others, that we would pray that they will be productive, bringing forth eternal results, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Praying for Others-to Grow in the Knowledge of God

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Col 1:10


Do you long to see people have joy, peace, and God’s love in their lives? It can happen.


The Apostle Paul wanted the people to grow in the knowledge of God, and he prayed for it. (see Col 1:10) As we grow in the knowledge of God, our relationship God will grow and much will happen. We will find love will developing, joy coming, and greater peace and contentment. They come because of God’s Spirit helping us as we draw close to God.


We can also pray the same thing that the Apostle Paul prayed for others, that they will grow in the knowledge of God, and experience God's Spirit in helping them too.


Father, may we be committed to praying for other people that their relationship with you will grow and that they see the fruit of the spirit in their lives. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Praying for Others-for Joy

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John 15:11


How many people do you know who struggle at every challenge and are often overwhelmed? Many of these would probably say because they are overwhelmed, they have no joy.


Christ never wanted us to be long faced or have no joy. Throughout the New Testament, John the Apostle spoke of joy several times. John 15:11 says ‘These things have I spoken unto you…that your joy may be full. Those were the words of Christ. The Apostle Paul lists joy as a fruit of the Spirit, yet so many of us do not have that joy.


Did you know that you can pray for joy? Joy comes from God’s word working in our lives and obedience to pray.


Father, may we be strengthened by your word working in our lives and may Your joy be evident in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Praying for Others

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Did you know that when you pray for others, it invites God to work in the lives of others? Yes, you can help others through prayer.


When we pray for others, there may be some who will have healing; children who have rebelled may turn back to the Lord; people may find jobs that they need and you may see many other needs that you have prayed for met in the lives of people.


Through prayer for others, when from the heart and in line with God's word, will bring forth God's plan in others.


Father, may we be encouraged to continue in prayer for others in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Pray for pastors ‘Pray for us’

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I Thes 5:25


Did you ever think your pastors experiences discouragement?

Did you know they have many struggles that they don't shares?

Did you know that may do not have close friends and may be very lonely?

There are many things that can affect a pastor--negative comments, criticisms.

The list could go on.


If you were in your pastor’s shoes you would need supernatural help to handle their job well. The only way I know to get supernatural help from the Lord is to ask for it in prayer. Your prayers would help him have God's help and I will tell you something-- That means a lot to him.


Father, help us to keep our pastors lifted up before You. They need your presence to help them to be a pastor for us. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Prayer for Pastors' Families

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I Thes 5:25


I would like to ask a question. Did you ever think you pastor and his family needs prayer? We expect them to be praying for us. Shouldn’t we be praying for them?


Many things occur in their family that often times they are hidden, and he doesn’t want people to know what is happening. Many pastors feel they have to put on an image are a front that all is well. In reality, they have troubles and trials just like you and I. They need your prayers of protection for their family, and your prayers for your pastor really do help him in his home life and subsequently his ministry.


Father, in the Name of Jesus, I ask you to help us lift up our pastors, and their families before you. May they know your presence and peace.

Intercession for Pastors

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It has been stated that the most under-utilized source of spiritual power in our church today is intercession (or Prayer) for our church leaders.


I have asked the question, a very serious question. How many pastors would still be in ministry if someone had been praying for them? There is a sad truth that many have very little or no prayer support at all.

There is a need to pray and we must seize the moment and determine that we are going to pray for our spiritual leaders.


Father, from this day forth, may we be faithful in praying for our pastors and spiritual leaders. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Praying for Your Pastor-Personal Needs

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Believe it or not, your pastor has needs just like you. They also have needs that must be met so they can minister.


One need is for wisdom. Another need is for humility. The Lord wants us to have a humble heart. Humility includes having a servant’s heart, being obedient to the word, sensitive to sin, and quick to confess sin.

Another need is to for him to live a Spirit filled life. The fruits of love, joy, and peace will sustain him and help him in his ministry.


Don't forget to pray for health. Is 53:5 says "by His stripes we are healed." You could pray for health and stamina for your pastor. There are other needs to pray for, and if you ask God, He will show you from His word what to pray.


Father, help us to lift our pastor up and bless him as we pray for him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Praying for Your Pastor-Relationship with God and Protection

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II Thes 3:1


Did you think to pray for your pastor today?


Pastors in order to minister need encouragement in their relationship with the Lord. Your prayers are vital to this relationship. Here are some areas to pray about. They need your prayers for integrity to avoid temptation. The Lord's Prayer says 'deliver us from evil'. They need your prayers so they can have time alone with God. They need your prayers that someone will help them be accountable.


Father, it is precious to you when we lift our pastor in prayer to you. Encourage us to be faithful in prayer for our pastor. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer for Your Pastor-Protection

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Ez 22:30


Ever feel like you have encountered a road block, especially when you’ve been involved in God’s work?


Any time someone is moving forward for God, Satan takes notice and tries to stop it. He especially likes to stop pastors and they are not immune. They are high on Satan's attack list.


To overcome these roadblocks, a pastor needs to walk daily close to the Lord and he needs a hedge of protection around him. The prayers of his congregation can help remove many road blocks that he may face. As they continue in prayer for your pastor, they are standing in the gap (Ez 22:30) for him, providing needed protection for their pastor.


Father, guide us as we protect our pastor through prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Praying for Others

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Romans 8:34

When we pray to God on behalf of someone else, this is called intercession. Did you know that Christ prays on our behalf and He was and still is an intercessor. Romans 8:34 says "It is Christ that who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us"

There are many following of prayer for others. I would like you to think about this that there are people who follow Christ’s example in prayer for others. Here are a few examples. Mothers frequently pray for their children. We often pray for others in crisis. At other times we join in prayer for needs in church. The Bible says in Col 4:2 ‘to continue in prayer.’

Our prayers do make a difference in others. When we see answers to prayer we are encouraged

Father, help us to pray even more for others, In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Praying for the Church-Worship

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John 12:32

Many of us come to a worship service, but have we ever prayed ahead of time before we get there?

If you are like me, I would have to answer I didn’t pray much for the service ahead of time. I carried a lot of problems with me and was not really able to enter into worship.

Real worship involves giving our love to the Lord, but being preoccupied with problems can block worship. Our prayer for a worship service can open the door for the Lord to help us to be able to focus on Him. Then worship can be a place where God’s love can be released. What happens when God’s love is present? It will draw people to Him, because Christ is lifted up (John 12:32).

Father, may we pray for our church's worship service that we may truly worship you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Praying for the Church

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II Thes 3:1

Did you ever think that when you prayed for your church, you should pray for your pastor?

A pastor who has people praying for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit will have the power to preach and touch people with the love of God.

Praying for the church involves praying for your pastor. The Apostle Paul wrote in II Thes 3:1 "Finally, brethren, pray for us". A pastor who has people praying for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit will have the power to preach, minister to, and touch people with the love of God.

Our prayers for our pastor, should be that God's Holy Spirit will fill our pastor with understanding and preach with boldness.

Father, lead people to pray for our pastors and bring them together in agreement. Then fill our pastors with Your Holy Spirit that they may preach the gospel with love and the power of God. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Guard Your Heart

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Ps 62:8


Do you keep things in and don't tell others?

They may be many reasons for doing so. We don't want to appear as a complainer or we never want to hurt another, or there's more in the list that we could spell out. The truth is that what we often hold in is often a hurt. That hurt can turn into bitterness. (see Heb 12:15) Bitterness can be deadly and defile us.

What can we do. We have many examples given to us in the Psalms when David poured out his heart. Ps 62:8 encourages us to "Trust in Him at all times, ye people; Pour out your heart before Him.

When you pour out your heart to the Lord, you are no longer hiding things in your heart. You are learning to turn things over to God. That action can stop bitterness from forming.

Father, encourage us to pour out our hearts to the Lord. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Prayer for Pastors

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Jer 15

Did you ever count the number of hats a pastor wears?

A pastor wears many hats. The hat which is probably seen the most is his service to the congregation. To serve his congregation a pastor needs to grow spiritually and in his ability to lead. The job of a pastor requires a pastor’s heart. (See Jer:15) In addition he needs to be able to equip his congregation to serve, and he also needs to be a praying pastor.

To do this, your pastor needs your prayers and encouragement. Prayer for our pastors gives them protection, understanding, and empowers them in serving God. It is so important to pray for them

Father, help us to daily lift our pastor and his ministry to our church congregation in prayer. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

A Relationship with Jesus

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Heb 12:2


I think many of us have met people who have many degrees of learning about different things and some of those areas may be about the Bible. With all those degrees, they are still not able to relate to others.


One reason may be that they may never have had a personal relationship with Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, Heb 12:2. A real relationship with Jesus brings the knowledge that we have learned about God’s word, into experience and personal understanding of God’s purpose for us.


If you have never really known Jesus personally, please make that decision today and pray this prayer:

Dear Jesus, I want a personal relationship with You as my savior. I turn from sin and those things which would block that relationship, and ask your forgivness. Thank you for letting me have that personal relationship with You as my Savior. Amen.

Praying for others

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Do you ever get the feeling something is urgent? You may not know why, but you have a strong feeling that it is?


There are indeed times when we sense a need to pray for someone and we may not understand why we sense the need. Often when that happens, God is asking us to intercede for a particular person or situation. We may never know or hear of what the need was, but because we prayed, God was able to work in that person's life or in that situation. Sometimes Lord later on, makes it clear why He asked us to pray.


When we pray for others it releases the power of God in their lives on their behalf.


Father, help us to recognize your call to pray for others, and to obey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Praying for others-Standing in the Gap

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Ez 22:30


In a ball game, when the ball comes your way and you are not ready for the ball, you miss an opportunity which could be disastrous to the out come of the game.


That situation is similar to being ready to pray when a crisis arises. We need to be ready to pray and not put prayer off when God moves us to pray. When we involve ourselves in praying for others, God is able to do a mighty work in their lives. Responding to the call to pray lets God work in the lives of others on their behalf. Ex 22:30 says ‘the Lord sought for a man…that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap.


Father, Encourage us to stand in the gap for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Praying for Others

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Col 1:9


What do you look to for guidance? Is it horoscopes, people, or what? Did you ever think we need guidance when we pray? If we believe in Jesus as our savior, then we should look to the Bible to guide our prayers. The Apostle Paul prayed that we would have wisdom. Col 1:9 says "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."



This prayer of Paul's is a scriptural example of a prayer. There are others in the bible, there to guide us. I believe that God wants us to use these prayers when you pray and you will have God’s blessing for those whom we are praying. Using these prayers when you pray for others, you will see a blessing in their lives, and by using scriptural examples, we will have the benefit of seeing God's best as a blessing for those whom we are praying.



Father, may God fill us with the knowledge of His will, and may it guide our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Praise and Thanksgiving

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Philippians 4:6-7

If someone says thank you, doesn’t that mean a lot to you?

Did you know that being thankful to God in prayer can bring peace? Many of us could use peace. Philippians 4: 6-7 says "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Many of us face situations that it is difficult to be thankful. The Lord will help us find a way and give us His peace when we do.

Father, in the Name of Jesus, may we learn to be thankful when we pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen



©2006 Lewis Turner

Devotional Time-Preparation

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James 4:8

If I want to do something, but don’t make an effort to do it, will it get done? Probably not.

If we are to take time to have personal time reading God’s word, it will involve effort. There are a number of distractions that could stop you. It will take effort to find a time and place where you will not be readily distracted. That effort is done by focusing on God and asking God's help. Once you have done this, take time to read His word and let God speak to you. Let this encourage you. James tells us that in James 4:8 to draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Father, may your Holy Spirit help us to have personal time reading the Bible. In Jesus, Name, Amen.



©2006 Lewis Turner

Teachable

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PS 25:4-5


When someone tells you John is set in his ways, how do you perceive him? Possibly you would perceive John as stubborn, refusing to learn. However, John may be actually completely different than you were told. Are you willing to consider this?

God is looking to people who are teachable and will allow Him to work in their lives. There is a prayer found in PS 25:4-5, that asks the Lord to show us His ways. Then it asks the Lord to teach us His paths. Finally it asks the Lord to lead us in His truth and that leading requires that He teach us.

This psalm or prayer shows the psalmist having a willingness, to submit to the Lord and accept His teaching us.

Father, help us to see Your ways and to let you teach us Your paths and to lead us and teach us Your truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
©2006 Lewis Turner

Never Connect?

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I John 5:14

How many times have you prayed and felt no one was listening? It just seems like you never connect when you pray.

I for one, wanted connect time with my Lord when I pray, but that desire alone was not enough. When I discovered that prayer is about relationships, especially my relationship with God, then I saw results from my prayer. Relationship with God comes from learning God's word, putting God's word into practice. When we do, the Bible says we can have the confidence that God hears us. See I John 5:14.

If you do not feel like you are connecting when you pray, consider this prayer.

Father, help me and teach me to come into a close relationship with you. Help me to obey your word and to trust you as a friend. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Monday, July 14, 2008

Diligence

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Is 62:1

Many of us want things to happen quickly, but those things which bring satisfaction often take much work and diligence.

Prayer too involves much work and diligence. It is like planting the seed of a tree which may take years to mature, but when it does, it brings great satisfaction. Don’t give up on prayer. Continually pray God’s blessings to others including for our spouse, our children, our pastor, and our friends. We should want to see the love of Christ and His righteousness in their lives.

Is 62:1 says "I will not rest until the righteousness thereof go forth the as brightness"

Father, May Your Spirit rest on us so that righteousness for people, whom we pray for, will go for the as a bright light and lead people to You. May we be faithful in prayer in seeking this for others.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Asking

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James 4:2


Here is a point to ponder. Many, when they pray, will pray "Lord bless Uncle Jim". If you were the Lord, wouldn’t you be wondering what you meant when you asked the Lord to bless Uncle Jim? How did you specifically want the Lord to bless Uncle Jim?

The Bible says in James 4:2 that "you have not because you ask not."

Now let’s consider the following prayer: "Lord, Your word says in Is 53:5 that "by your stripes we are healed." I ask you to bless Uncle Jim with good health." This blessing request is specific and it is based on God's word.

We should be praying specific blessings for others; blessings that are based on God's word.

Father, help us to ask for blessings for others that are based on your word. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Easily Offended

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Romans 7:19, Ps 119:9, Eph 5:26

Do we ever get into the pattern of complaining?

Frequently I hear many complaints, and very little constructive talk. I sometimes fall into the same trap of complaining. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 7:19 "The good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."

Ps 119:9 gives us a solution of how to correct our ways. It says "wherewith all shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to the word" (the word is the Bible).

It is important to read and lean the word of God. The Holy Spirit will help us if we ask God's help, how to apply the word to our lives so we can have joy and not complain. Consider this prayer:

Father, we ask you to help us to take time to read your word. Teach us how to apply it to our lives. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Listening Prayer

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PS 46:10

Did you know prayer involves listening? So often we do all the talking in prayer, and that doesn’t leave much time for listening.

In our relationship with the Lord, it is necessary to hear God's voice. The Psalmist instructed us in Psalms 46:10 “to be still and know that He is God”. We need to take time to be silent before the Lord in prayer. When we do, it helps us to sense His presence and hear His voice.

As we quiet ourselves our heart can tune to the Lord and listen., and His Spirit can speak to our spirit.

Listening to the Lord in prayer helps develop a relationship with God, which comes from an interchange of love and thought between God and your soul.

Father, our lives are so busy, that we need your help to listen to you. Thank you for that help. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Listening Prayer

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Acts 13:2 , Ps 42:6

God speaks to us in two primary ways. One is through the written word, the Bible. The other is through the Holy Spirit speaking to us. In Acts 13:2 the Bible says "As they ministered to the Lord (worshiped) and fasted, the Holy Spirit said..."

What can you expect to hear when the Holy Spirit speaks? A verse is brought to mind or you could hear a song. Ps 42:6 says "in the night his song shall be with me” At times like this your spirit is hearing from God. When God speaks, it will always be in agreement with the word of God. Remember, what ever the form, the prompting of the Holy Spirit will always be in agreement with the Word of God. If it doesn’t, then my friend, I do not believe you are hearing the Lord.

Father, may the ears of our hearts be open to Your voice. In Jesus’ Name., Amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Listening in Prayer

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Psalms 46:10

Ever want to know God’s will and His way of doing things?

God reveals His will to those who pray and have learned to listen in prayer. In Acts, chapter 10, we find that God spoke to Peter in a vision. When Peter was praying and fasting, the Lord spoke to Him in that vision through an Angel.

To learn to listen to the Lord, we need to learn to be quiet before the Lord and to listen, quieting our minds and hearts and be sensitive to hear the voice of God. God will confirm over and over what He speaks to us, and what He speaks always be in agreement with the Bible. In Psalms 46:10 it says "Be still and know that I am God."

Father, help us to be still and to let go of distractions, so we can hear You when we listen in prayer. In Jesus’ name.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Coming Together

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Acts 1:4

Does waiting ever accomplish things? Waiting is probably one of the hardest tasks to follow through on.

Jesus in Acts 1:4 commanded His disciples "That they should not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father." The disciples went to an upper room and prayed and waited as Jesus told them. I can imagine they had many thoughts if the wait was worth the wait, but they obeyed Jesus and waited. The results were seen in a great move of God bringing many to Christ.

This command to the disciples also applies to us. We need to come together in our churches and seek all that God wants to do through our churches by waiting on Him in prayer. This should be our first responsibility before we make any plans or take on any project. The upper room pattern of waiting on the Lord is the secret to a healthy church life.

Father, create in our hearts a desire to come together in prayer. In Jesus’ name.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Committing Our way to the Lord

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PS 37:5

If you asked someone to do something for you, and then did not let them do it, is there any commitment on your part to them?

That’s and easy answer of no.

To many of us, when we pray, we ask but do not really commit our way unto the Lord.

Psalms 37:5 says "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." If we want God's help, then we need to ask for it through prayer, not as a second thought, but because it is important to communicate it to God. Then we need to let the Lord work.

Father, help us to commit our way to you and to bring that commitment to you through prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Unity in Prayer

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Unity in Prayer

Matthew 18:19

John 12:32


I once traveled overseas and saw people with different customs and ways from what I was used to. I had to learn to accept some of the different customs.

There is a need that we have when we pray to be in accord together in prayer. We often have differences that need God's help so when people pray together, the Holy Spirit can help us be in unity. We can ask in prayer that the Holy Spirit work and help us accept differences so we can be in Godly unity as we pray. I believe a fruit of this unity will be the love of Christ being shown among us. This love will lift up Christ and the Bible says that when Chirst is lifted up He will draw all men to Himself. (John 12:32)

Father, we ask your Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, so we will come together in prayer. May your love be evident in us because of this praying together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Prayer in the church


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Prayer in the church

Acts 1:4

Do you find waiting difficult? It is for many. Does it help to be occupied when you are waiting?

In Acts 1:4, Christ "commanded His disciples not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the father." The word command in the Greek was a military term, putting His disciples under orders. The disciples did this and occupied themselves during the wait by being in prayer. Christ through this command established a prayer meeting. It was literally showed that they placed much value, priority and significance to prayer. This is what Christ wanted, that prayer would be foremost for the church.

Prayer should be our first priority. Prayer is obedience to Christ, and it is necessary for a healthy church.

Father, we need your help to move our people to come together and pray. May we be obedient and do so. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

House of Prayer


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House of Prayer

Matthew 21:13

What is all this talk about prayer meetings? Aren't there enough issues such as evangelism, counseling, preaching that make a church work? In Matthew 21:13 He said: "My house is to be a house of prayer."

Perhaps we need to rethink where our priorities have been and to return to obedience to Christ and make our churches, houses of prayer. Churches should be places where people can come together and seek the Lord.

Father, we confess that our priorities have not been right. Help us to make Your house, a house of prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

A Special Place to Pray

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Acts 1:13

Do you have a need to find a special place to pray? Why is such a place needed for prayer?

Perhaps an answer to this question comes from looking at the beginnings of the early church.

The Christian church had its beginning in a prayer meeting in a place called the Upper Room. Since that time the upper room was a type of secret place for the church. It was a place where they could come together in unity and spiritual closeness. No doubt this encouraged their faith to grow. As we too join together in unity in prayer, God joins with us through His Son Jesus, and the Spirit of God helps us function as God wants us. Coming to a special place where we can join with others follows the example of the early church. Perhaps it is the reason we need more of this, a special place to pray.

Father, burn these truths on our heart and may we continue stedfast in prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Misunderstanding and Forgiveness

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Eph 1:17; 3:17

Have you ever had a misunderstanding where you honestly understood one thing, but the other party was adamant that they said something else? That stirs up a lot of emotions, especially when the other party does not give some measure of grace in understanding.


How do you deal with this when your emotions have flared up? Christ said to forgive. But when we have been wronged, it is hard to settle down and forgive.


To obey Christ, we must take the step to forgive. When we do, forgiveness will help us settle down. Following forgiveness, I would encourage one to ask a blessing for the other party. Here is a blessing that could be prayed: “that the Lord would bless them with knowledge of Him and be grounded in His love. Eph 1:17, Eph 3:17.


Father, many have wrong us in the past. Help us to forgive them and to ask your blessing for them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner

Sonship

Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:12

Did you ask your parents for anything when you were growing up?? Probably you did and you probably asked for many many things. However there may have been some things which you wanted, but may have been afraid to ask for.

One area many of us do not like to approach or ask is when we mess up is for is forgiveness when we mess up. At those times, we are often embarrassed. God knows that problems happen and He speaks to it in the Lord’s prayer. In Matthew 6:12 it says, “And forgive us our debts or trespasses.”

Inspite of those problems, God wants us to know that He wants to forgive us. All we have to do is follow His instruction and come to Him in prayer.

Father, may we realize the privilege we have as You being our Father, to come to you for forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner


Lordship

Lord's Prayer

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Matthew 6:10

How should we pray? Prayer sometimes is seen as a way to get our way, but what does the Bible say about how we should pray?

The Lord's Prayer says "Your will be done". It is referring to the will of God and Christ. That is how we should be praying. I have to admit that many times I have asked for my plans instead of God's purposes. When we pray "Your will be done", we will become firmly rooted in Christ. He then helps us to pray referring to Him when we say "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done."

Father, help us to honor you and to seek your will by asking that it be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.



©2005 Lewis Turner

Worship

Lord's Prayer

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Matthew 6:9

Have you ever given thought to the meaning of a name? Names do have significant meaning.

As our relationship to God grows, understanding the name and character of God will help us worship God and pray. Even the declaration of the name of God in prayer is worship. As you learn the names of God and appreciate them and pray using them, your love for God will grow.

Father, may we learn to understand who you are by learning your names. May they be burned into the tables of our heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.



©2005 Lewis Turner

Relationship

Lord's Prayer

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Matthew 6:9

Did you know that true prayer comes from a relationship with God?

In the Lord's Prayer, Christ makes it clear when we pray that our prayer comes from a relationship. When we start praying "Our Father" we acknowledge a relationship with God in a personal way. God wants us to be aware of this relationship when we pray

Father, in the Name of Jesus, we ask you to help us be aware of our personal relationship to you and the love a Father has for his children. In Jesus’ Name, amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Fellowship

What keeps us from having real fellowship with people?

There may be many things that contribute, but often there are walls that can only be removed by the act of forgiveness. (Matthew 6:12) Forgiveness can open the doors to fellowship. When you forgive you are removing walls and making it possible for others to receive forgiveness and to forgive. Forgiveness frees people and that creates the environment for fellowship.

Father, show us where we need to forgive others so that fellowship can be restored. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner

Leadership

PM#0085

Prov 3: 5 and 6

Matthew 6:13


Every one of us has been tempted and many of us want to overcome temptation, but is there help?

The Lord’s prayer says ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ (Matthew 6:13)

When we submit to God, He will deliver us from evil. He will give us wisdom that keeps our paths straight. Prov 3: 5 and 6 says: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

God’s direction will deliver us from evil. If we ask for it in prayer, we can have that direction.

Father, we submit our hearts to You, and trust in You to deliver us from evil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner

Knocking

PM#0084

Is 26:3

Have you ever come to the Lord pleading? Such praying can be very focused, heart based, and comes from our wanting the Lord to help. Many times we will pray like this for a long time before we receive an answer. What is happening? We know that “God wilt keep one in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him: because he trusteth in Him.” Is 26:3.

The phrase ‘stayed on’ is like the word ‘steadfast’. God wants to know that our hearts are steadfast on Him. He may be testing us to see if we love Him enough to be steadfast with our hearts focused on Him.

Father, may we grow in our love for you, that our hearts will be steadfast on You. Thank You for Your help. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner

Seeking Prayer

PM#0083

Does it seem that prayer just doesn’t seem to work or answers are slow in coming?

When answers to prayer take more time in coming, don’t give up on prayer. This is a valuable period in our lives where God is allowing our faith to grow. It is time to search the scriptures for answers. You see, for our Christian faith to grow, we need God’s word in our hearts. God’s word helps our life to reflect our relationship with Christ and help us will see even more answers to our prayers.

Father, help us to let your scripture build our faith and guide our relationship with Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner