Prayer Quote of the Day #5

"Prayer is not something we think up to get God's attention or enlist his favor. Prayer is answering speech. The first word is God's word. Prayer is a human word and is never the first word, never the primary word, never the initiating and shaping word simply because we are never first; never primary…the first word everywhere and always is God's word to us, not ours to him." Eugene Peterson - Working the Angles

Prayer Quote of the Day #4

“Prayer is surrender--surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God.” E. Stanley Jones

Prayer Quote of the Day #3

“The central significance of prayer is not in the things that happen as a result, but in the deepening intimacy and unhurried communion with God at His central throne of control in order to discover a ‘sense of God's need in order to call on God's help to meet that need’" E.M. Bounds

Prayer Quote for the Day #2

“You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” John Bunyon

Pastor Grinders' message on prayer was spot on Sunday. My reading this morning from Mark 14:32-42 spoke to my heart of the value of prayer as seen in the life of Jesus. Jesus was facing the cross and the betrayal of one of His own disciples. His response to this was, to go to Gethsemane and pray. He asked his disciples to watch and pray as he went a short distance beyond them to pray alone. He told them of his overwhelming sorrow. He prayed, about an hour and returned to the disciples finding them asleep, not watchful in prayer. His words in verse #38 stood out to me. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak."
It seems to me what the body desires, is not always what is best for the Spirit. In this case, slumber instead of prayer. Prayer is the source of spiritual resistance to temptation. Jesus prayed three times about the cross and what he was about to face. The third time he returned from the place of prayer, I find resolve in these words from verse #38; "Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" His prayer originally was that he would not have to drink the cup of death. But after praying the third time he went out to meet his betrayer and drink the cup of death. Prayer is not only the source of spiritual resistance to temptation, but also the strength and resolve we can find in meeting with the Lord to know, and face, the issues that are not what we would prefer to face in life's hard places.
My thought for the morning was; as I arise in the morning to face my day do I approach the events ahead in spiritual strength and resolve or weakness?

Prayer Quote for the Day

“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.” Abraham Lincoln.

The beginning of Mark chapter 8 Jesus expresses His compassion for the people who had been with Him for three days without food. He asked the disciples what they had to feed them. He used what they had, to satisfy their need. Mark 8:27-29 He asked them "Who do people say that I am" followed by the personal question, "But what about you?", "Who do you say that I am?". I would like to combine the two thoughts, in that I believe that Jesus cares deeply for our physical and spiritual provision. In Mark 8:3 Jesus was aware of the distance they had traveled to be with Him. He knew their journey individually. Jesus has a desire to nurture us both physically and spiritually. Have you embarked upon Journey 2011? Have you picked up your copy of Journey 2011? Our Lord has a desire to nurture our spiritual lives on this journey called life.

Please read Mark 2:1-5. Please note the reaction of Jesus to the litter bearers as they brought the paralyzed man to the "packed house" that reminds me of the Inn in Bethlehem, with no room! But the litter carriers were undaunted the full house with no window room as well. They ascended to the roof of the home with the litter in hand and commenced to dig a hole in the roof. (I'm sure the owner of the home was blessed by their action.) Perhaps the litter bearers were urged on by the idea that if they got the man to Jesus, they believed they wouldn't have to carry him home. Jesus took note of their faith. They believed that all was required of them was to get the man into the presence of the Lord. They enlarged the hole and lowered the man. Jesus responded to the faith of the carriers. Then surprisingly he said; "your sins are forgiven you." Do you think the sins of our lives can cause paralysis? Getting people to Jesus can free them from the paralysis of sin and enable them to walk in freedom. May we be useful in bringing others to the healer of paralysis.

Welcome to Journey 2011

Yes, the blog site will continue as; "Journey 2011", and thank you so very much for participating in 52 weeks of prayer. I have been told how prayer together in family units has brought families and couples closer to Christ and to one another. To God be the glory! The impact of prayer will not be fully known, this side of heaven. But we do receive answers in the here and now and they are encouraging.

I find the Journey booklet to be filled with vital information on prayer throughout its pages and I encourage you to pick up a copy at the welcome center and begin your Journey. May I call your attention to the the first section of the Prayer and Praise part of the booklet as it speaks of four emphasis points which have not changed from the focus of the 52 Weeks of prayer. Please note that we are to pray for; 1. your own personal relationship with Christ, 2. your family and church, 3. nation and world 4. for specific individuals for salvation and opportunities to share the gospel daily.

Please acquaint yourself with the booklet and then engage as the the Lord will lead you on your Journey and may the Lord bless and encourage you as we seek to grow in His likeness.