Unity in Prayer

PM#0094

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

PM#0093

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

PM#0092

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

PM#0091

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

Misunderstanding and Forgiveness

PM#0030

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

PM#0088

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