Our guest has no religion of any kind. For her all religions are alike. She believes in the Golden Rule; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Her whole philosophy is built on morals-doing good. But we know doing good is not going to get us into heaven. And we know religious are not all alike, even though most religions believe in a God or a Supreme Being. Many are morally strong, but there is a big difference. Christians believe in a Triune God, the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We further believe that the Son is the Savior of the World. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish, but have eternal life." ( John 3:16 ) When we accept Christ as our personal savior, we are admonished to pray without ceasing. "...pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess.5:17)
Among the reason for praying we talked about were these:
There is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to resist Him.
Prayer is God's way for us to obtain what we need from Him.
Prayer with thanksgiving is God's way for us to obtain freedom from anxiety.
Phil. 4:6,7 "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understand, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I've did some research on prayer and I'm looking for ward to opportunities in the future to talk to her about a personal God and how we communicate with Him. A quote by Georges LeFevre says: "Prayer is an end to isolation. It is living our daily life with someone who alone can deliver us from solitude."
Communion with God is a great privilege and the most important element of prayer. When we pray, we strenthen our relationship with God. The more we pray and read His Word, the stronger our faith becomes in the one true God. The greatest power on earth is embraced in prayer. It has been said that prayer is not eloquence, but earnestness; not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it; not figures of speech, but earnestness of the soul.
During a time of war President Eisenhower had this to say about prayer regarding peace: "How can we help strike this spark of dedication in receptive hearts around the earth? By personal prayer by hundreds upon hundreds of millions."
In 1787, the threat of failure loomed over the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin called for daily prayers: "I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see that God governs the affairs of men. We have been assured in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain, that build it.' I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."
With the fate of the Union at stake in his decisions, Abraham Lincoln said: "I talk to God, my mind seems relieved when I do and a way is suggested. I should be a self-conceited blockhead if I should hope to get along without the wisdom that comes from God and not from men."
God does not "force His assistance on us," says Father James Keller, founder of the Christophers, "He leaves us free to take it or leave it. The key to the door is given in Jesus' words: 'Ask,' 'Seek,' 'Knock.' "It is as clear , as simple as the story of the small boy struggling, mightily to life a heavy stone. He couldn't budge it. Happening to pass by, his father asked, 'Are you using all your strength?' 'Yes, I am,' said the boy impatiently. 'I don't thing you are' said the father, 'You haven't asked me to help."
Q. Why is prayer necessary for Christians
A. Because it is the chief part of the gratitude which God requires of us, and because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those who sincerely beseech him in prayer without ceasing, and who thank him for these gifts." The Heidelburg Catechism
Prayer is a conversation with God. Sometimes we need to use a 'method' in our prayer time. We can us the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as the Lord's Prayer), or several other ideas for praying follow:
Adoration: Praise God for who God is.
Confession: Ask God for forgiveness for the sin in our lives and then repent .
Thanksgiving: Thank God for all God does, knowing God has a wise purpose
Supplication/Intercession: Coming before God on behalf of others-praying for our own needs.
Often we think of prayer as a way to get God to do things for us or for others, but the highest purpose of prayer is to deepen our relationship with God. Prayer does involve petition and intercession, but it also includes communion. In petition God does something FOR us, in intercession He does something THROUGH us and in communion He does something IN us. God wants us to talk with Him. . He is all-knowing, but He also desires our fellowship.
I recently came across this 'Five-Finger Prayer' to use as a guide when praying for others.
...When you fold your hands, the thumb is nearest you, so begin by praying for those closest to you.
...The index finger is the pointer: Pray for those who teach.
...The next finger is the tallest. It reminds you to pray for those in authority.
...The fourth finger is usually the weakest. Pray for those who are in trouble or suffering.
...Then comes your little finger. It reminds you of your smallness in relation to God's greatness. Ask Him to supply our need.
Prayer has brought millions from physical and mental afflictions to health. In prayer God hears more than just words. He listens to our heart, so we can in confidence bring everything to our heavenly Father, saying: "Lord in Your Mercy, hear our prayer."
The Lord Himself taught his followers to pray the Lord's Prayer:
When frindly words grow faint and friendly hands are few, pray
"OUR FATHER, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN."
When profane words strike home upon our ears, pray
"HALLOWED BE THY NAME."
When sins mounts the throne of power, pray
'THY KINGDOM COME."
When leaders of men impose their will upon the ways of earth, pray
"THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN."
When anxious thought of coming days disturb our inward calm, pray
"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD."
When grieved by our many sins and hurt by the sins of others, pray
"FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS."
When purity loses its lure, pray
"AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL."
When the task of the day is done, pray
"FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FORVER, AMEN.
The Bible tells us that God knows our every thought and every word on our tongue, and when we don't know what to pray, "the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26)
The Biblical truths assure us that we can have communication with God even without a word being spoken, because He knows the intentions and desires of our heart. No matter how much you falter and stumble in praying, He hears you. His heart of infinite love responds to the need and emotions of your own heart. You can know that it will come to past.
The Smallest Prayer
God hears the very smallest prayer
Nor sends a cross too great to bear.
And though we stumble now & then,
He always picks us up again.
There is no moment day or night,
When we are hidden from His sight,
No wall too high nor door too stout
Will keep His loving care without.
His ways are wiser than our own
His strength remains when our is gone.
We must not doubt nor questions why
He sends the answers by & by.
And this I know within my heart,
All darkness fades and shadows part
And that sometime, somehow,
Grace W. Easley
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