Confession, the Way to Spiritual Health

Prayer Minute #0044
Mark 11:26


How many times have you been angry, and do not allow the other person to forget it?

If we are really honest with ourselves, probably most of us have fallen into that pattern at one time or another. Unfortunately for us, this pattern really is the result of unwillingness to forgive. Unwillingness to forgive is a powerful emotion that can harm relationships and bind us. Christ knew the danger of unforgiveness, and He warned us in Mark 11:26, "But if you do not forgive neither will the father forgive your trespasses" It is clear that unforgiveness also blocks a relationship with God and the way to have that relationship restored is to forgive others.

What should we do then? If we harbor any unforgiveness, we need to forgive and ask God to forgive us. Do it daily! Forgiveness will set you free!

Father, encourage us as we forgive others, and restore our relationship with you.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Intercession

Prayer Minute #0045

Have you heard little children praying 'Bless Mommy, bless Daddy, bless all the missionaries"? Perhaps you have, and maybe you have prayed like that at one time too.

As we mature, we need to grow in our prayer for others. Prayer for others is intercessory prayer. When we pray for others, our heart's prayer and desire should be to invite God to work in their lives.

There are many benefits of intercessory prayer. One of them is praying for others helps us to be more sensitive to the needs of others. That is what God wants.

Father, help us to pray for others and to invite you to work in their lives.. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Thanksgiving

Prayer Minute #0046
PS 18:1

Martin Luther once said “In thanksgiving we recount blessing received, and thus strengthen our confidence and enable ourselves to wait trustingly for what we pray.”

Thanksgiving prayer is important. It can be a simple affirmation of love to God. The Bible has an example in Ps 18:1 which says “I will love you , O Lord, my salvation.” If you read the Psalms, you will be encouraged to be thankful as you see other times that God was praised. They will help you in prayer.

Father, praise is not always easy, but your word was given to help us. May we learn from your word, so we can offer praise to you from our heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.




©2006 Lewis Turner

Unforgiveness

Prayer Minute #0048
Matt 6:14-15

Have you ever heard that one thing leads to another and there is no stopping it? Sounds like it could start a never ending cycle.

This a cycle can develop from unforgiveness. Unforgiveness can cause a critical attitude which can foster more unforgiveness starting the cycle over again. As the cycle continues, bitterness creeps in, and other negative things may develop. All of this started with unforgiveness. If we choose not to forgive, the behavior will likely continue.

Now if we choose to forgive, forgiveness can break the cycle and with that cycle broken, it can bring us the freedom that God wants us to have. When we forgive, God is able to work and bring positive change.

The Bible says in Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying, forgive” Let’s do it.

Father, help us to forgive others from the heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



©2006 Lewis Turner

Trials

Prayer Minute #0049
Matt 18:20

What would you do if you got a call from the boss saying in a sharp tone 'Be in my office at 9 AM sharp tomorrow,'? The tone of voice spells possible trouble.

This happened to John. John knew that he had done honest work. He knew he had a choice of going to the meeting on his own or asking others to pray with him.

The Lord said there would be trials in this life. If we respond through prayer, Jesus will help us. John chose to have others pray with him. Matt 18:20 assures us that Jesus is with us when we come together with others in prayer. It says "where two or three are gathered together in My Name., there am I in the midst of them".

The next day, John saw God's help at the meeting. You too can have that help in trials if you ask God for it.

Father, when trials come, I ask that You encourage people to pray together. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


©2006 Lewis Turner

Dejected?

Ps 42:11
PM#0006

Have you ever felt dejected, down in the dumps, and disturbed? Probably most of us would have to admit we have felt this way.

The Psalmist David went through the same feelings and shared with us his answer. He wrote in Ps 42:11: “Why are thou cast down, O my soul? Why are thou disquited within me? Hope thou in God: For I shall yet praise Him…”

How many times do things seem to go against you at work, or something at home needs costly replacing, or a close relationship has gone sour, or you have experienced a lot of illness? In times like these we need to look to the Lord who is your help and give Him praise for His help, even before we see it. He is right there with you.

Remember, David found a way to praise God even in difficult times.

Consider the following prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am facing a difficult situation. I need your wisdom and help. I thank you for the help you are bringing to me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner

God’s Will

PM#0005
I John 5:14

Years ago, I was taught that we should not use written prayers. I thank the Lord that he has since showed me that some of the written prayers used in churches are actually taken from God's word. When we use those prayers, which are based on scripture, we are praying using God's word.

The word of God represents God's will. I John 5:14 says "And this is the confidence that we have in Him that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:” Therefore when using prayers based on scripture, we are praying in accordance with God's will. Knowing this should encourage us to include scripture in our prayers.

Father, we thank you for your encouragement to us to include scripture in our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.






©2005 Lewis Turner