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.

Memorial Day

PM#0496

Memorial Day

John 15:13

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have served and are serving in our military.  When we did not properly honor those who serve, deep hurt came upon them and our country.

Failing to honor, forgets that our freedoms come with a cost, one which we fought to preserve, and some gave their lives to protect. The Bible says in John 15:13 that ‘Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”  

Turning to God’s way, we should honor that love by finding ways to bless. 

Consider this prayer as you remember those who are serving and have served our country in the military:

Father, help me to continually find ways to show honor to those serving and who have served in the military, and bless my country, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessing Others

PM#0495

Blessing Others

If you had the opportunity to do something to help someone else and yourself, would you do it?  Most likely you would.  What action would help someone else and yourself?  It is simply the Biblical principle of blessing the other person. 

Not only is just blessing the other person helpful, but it also encourages a deeper spiritual walk and relationship with the Lord.   Blessing, especially Biblical Blessings found in God’s word, bring life in to our being and situations.    God’s word is light and life.   When we grumble, judge, fail to bless or encourage, we are actually hindering the work of God’s word in someone else, and that action or lack of action as it really may be, also effects us and hinders our relationship with the Lord.

Consider this prayer:  Father, help me to bless others with your words, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Encouraging Others

PM#0494

Matthew 18:19

How often when we are involved with others, do we fail to encourage God’s calling for that individual?

Here is a way that may help.   Christ said in Matthew 18:19, that where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am in the midst.  Coming together with others in prayer, invites Christ to be with us and help us. He can help our hearts to open to each other as we pray.  When hearts start to join together in prayer, relationships develop that are started by Christ, bringing connection with each other.

As we grow together, Christ can help us encourage one another, and to appreciate each other’s calling from the Lord.  Then we can encourage one another to move forward. 

Consider this thought and prayer.  ‘Father, help me to join with others in prayer, and may You help me to encourage others’.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.