Tags
1 Peter 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Called by God to Pray!, Colossians 3:11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:24-25, John 17:8-18, Luke 10:2, Matthew 6:7-10, Philippians 1:6, Pray on!, Pray without ceasing, Prayer, Praying for our nation, Romans 8:26-27, Romans 8:9, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done
Bible Ballistics: BBs #671 Called To PRAY???
While we are living in perilous time, it amazes me that we are so easily distracted from one of the most essential elements of our faith—prayer! I know for me it is so easy to have that time set aside to be with my Lord, and it seems that nine million things creep into that time and space to distract me from my “prime directive”, if you would! It is so easy to “intend” to do things and yet by default, or distraction, or urgency we are drawn into something else that seems so important at the time (and sometimes it is urgent, and God knows that, and let me add that prayer isn’t restricted to a “time” and “place” but it also includes having a spirit of prayer in all we do—driving, cooking, working, playing—all with that attitude of prayer in our heart!)! I know that I have fallen so far short in this area of keeping that time to be with my Lord and my God a priority! It is essential in these troublesome times that we as a nation—as God’s people—as the lifeline for lost souls—that we keep our eyes, our hope and our commitment focused on Jesus relentlessly! Why? Because HE IS THE only true hope, and also because HE calls us to be a people of prayer!
What is prayer? It’s not just talking to God, but taking time to share our heart, our hopes, and our vision with The One who is our all in all! HE is all that I can truly depend upon, and listening to HIM who indwells every genuine believer—regardless of our color, our nationality or our personality—for Jesus is “all” and “in all” of HIS own!
“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcision nor uncircumcision,
Barbarian,
Scythian,
bond nor free:
but Christ
is all,
and in all.” Colossians 3:11
The Holy Spirit in us is the evidence of whose we are!
“But ye are not in the flesh,
but in the Spirit,
if so be that the Spirit of God
dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,
he is none of his.” Romans 8:9
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to those who come to Him, and through the Holy Spirit we have continual access to our Father, and The Son! He is our own personal 24-hour line to our Lord!
“Likewise the Spirit also
helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray for
as we ought:
but the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us
with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,
because he maketh intercession
for the saints
according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
Such a gift that the world cannot recognize, yet it is the power of God in the lives of His children, and we so often fail to avail ourselves of His gift to us, and the source of His persistent, overcoming power. God calls us to come to HIM for He is ever listening for His children to call and come to HIM!
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points
tempted like as we are,
yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help
in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Even when we fall short, we can know that our precious Lord Jesus is ever standing in the gap through our moments of weakness and confusion, for He not only saves but keeps and guards His own for our good and HIS glory!
“Being confident of this very thing,
that he which hath begun a good work
in you
will perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6
Oh, how wonderful the work that Jesus has done for us and is ever doing on our behalf no matter where you /I are—HE knows, and HE is praying for us.
“But this man,
because he continueth ever,
hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also
to save them to the uttermost
that come unto God by him,
seeing he ever liveth
to make intercession
for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25
And because He prays for us, we are called to pray for others by HIS power, HIS name, and HIS command!
“Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus
concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
We are called to pray, and I just want to leave you with a few passages that help us know how to pray, as well as some things that we ought to continually be praying for and about. May God help us all to be more steadfast in seeking HIM in all things!
“But when ye pray,
use not vain repetitions,
as the heathen do:
for they think
that they shall be heard
for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them:
for your Father knoweth
what things ye have need of,
before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
in earth,
as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:7-10
“Therefore said he unto them,
The harvest truly is great,
but the labourers are few:
pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that he would send forth labourers
into his harvest.” Luke 10:2
And in these perilous days in which we are living, may we ever pray that we would truly be seeking HIS Kingdom and not just our own; may we be praying to be useable and faithful; may we be praying that HIS will be done, that we would be vessels unto HIS honor and glory! Always.
“But the end of all things
is at hand:
be ye therefore sober,
and watch
unto prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7
May the words of our Lord Jesus’ prayer for us ever ring in our hearts and minds.
“For I have given unto them the words
which thou gavest me;
and they have received them,
and have known surely
that I came out from thee,
and they have believed
that thou didst send me.
9 I pray for them:
I pray not for the world,
but for them
which thou hast given me;
for they are thine.
10 And all mine
are thine,
and thine are mine;
and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world,
but these are in the world,
and I come to thee.
Holy Father,
keep through thine own name
those whom thou hast given me,
that they may be one,
as we are…
…. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them
out of the world,
but that thou shouldest keep them
from the evil.
16 They are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me
into the world,
even so have I also sent them
into the world.” Portions of John 17:8-18
Amen and Amen!!!
May we pray on!!!