PM#0500 A Church that Prays Together, Stays Together

PM#0500

A Church that Prays Together, Stays Together

Matthew 18:20, and John 1:1-9

There is a principle called the ‘together principle’ that goes something like this:  The family that prays together stays together.  You may have heard it stated other ways, but also applies to a church.

This principle is so important, that in Matthew 18: 20, Christ stated: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  

When we pray together, Christ is in our midst, and when His presence is in our midst we will have the light of Christ.   Christ is the true light.  See John 1:1-9. 

Praying together as a church is very important, and allows the presence of Christ to be with us. 

Let’s consider the following prayer:  Father, help us to keep praying together as a church so that the presence of Christ will guide and keep us together.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0499 I Need Help

PM#0499

I Need Help

Rom 7:21-21, James 1:5

Are we acting on our own knowledge or do we seek God’s knowledge and ways?  That question is important because there is a struggle between self and what God instructs us that rages in many of us.  (see Romans 7:21-23).

That struggle can be devastating, and take away peace, or even a sense of direction. 

Is there any thing we can do to stop that struggle?  There is one way, and that is to seek God’s knowledge which is found in the Bible, and then when we have found it, follow what it says.

James1:5 says “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”  God wants to help us and we can have that help through prayer.

Consider this prayer.  Father I need your help.  Please lead me through your Word.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0498

Lord, what is on Your heart?

John 14:26

When we pray, have you ever thought of how you pray?   To many their answer might be, when I pray, I let the Lord know my needs. 

Now, though that may be a part of prayer, it is not taking time to listen to the Lord.  Prayer is both talking to God and listening to Him.  God wants us to listen to Him.  We hear God through His Word, and what the Holy Spirit brings to mind from His Word.  See John 14:26.  The concept of listening in prayer is part of the relationship we should have with Christ.  Could you imagine having a friendship with someone who never listened to you?

I encourage you to consider using the following prayer to help you start listening to the Lord as part of your prayer life.

Father, please help me to be still, and listen to what is on your heart for me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0497 Unclear, Not Sure?

PM#0497

Unclear, Not Sure?

James 1:5

Have you ever been unsure of something?  Perhaps your thoughts about something are not clear.  Do you really want to be clear about that “something”?  Something you are not sure about?

Probably at one time or another most us have been through that experience.  What would help us?  There are several things, and I will suggest a few, that can help bring clarity.  One is to ask God for Wisdom (see James 1:5).   Learning God’s wisdom comes from knowing what God’s word says, which comes from studying it.  Then we should focus on the grace of God and how in God’s word, we see how God helped us.  That help may show us how to respond to that “something” we have been unclear about.

Take time in prayer as you seek for wisdom.  Consider a prayer like this:  Father, there is an issue that I am unclear about.  I ask you to show me your wisdom through your word.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.