Praying: a platform to impress others?

“Prayer is a private act of devotion, not a public demonstration of piety.” – Charles Swindoll

“Pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

– Matthew 6:6

Connect to our Father with words from our hearts privately,

not with those uncompassionate and excessive words repeated publicly. 

 

Did You Mean It?

God is not asking Christians to pray more.

He’s urging us to pray more earnestly.

 

The Whole Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)

Life is a battlefield. If we go out to war inadequately equipped and protected, it would be difficult to survive; hence, it is imperative that we as God’s soldiers take up His Whole Armor for us—

The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, The Shield of Faith, The Helmet of Salvation and The Sword of the Spirit. 

…then pray at all times!

 

What do I Do?

Lord,

I am in trouble.

I do not know what to do.

I don’t know anything.

I am seriously confused right now.

What do I do?

I can do nothing.

Nothing without Christ.

Without You, CHRIST, I Am Nothing.

All I can do is to entrust everything to you.

Hoping and praying that You will tell me what to do.

But, what I am sure of is You know what to do.

And in the future, I know that this will happen again.

And I will forever know, that You will help me find my way again.

Amen

 

 

24/7

“Come and listen, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell you what he did for me.
For I cried out to him for help,
    praising him as I spoke.
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened.
But God did listen!
    He paid attention to my prayer.
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
    or withdraw his unfailing love from me.”

– Psalm 66:16-20

Why wait for 11:11 when God listens 24/7? Pray to Him, he will always listen.

 

Transformed Transformer

If my people, who are called by my name, 
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven,
and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
~2 Chronicles 7:14 

When you pray, you might not see the transformation, but you will know that it’s happening

…for it starts in you.

 

Inch by Inch…

Having a hard time praying and reading God’s Word? 

The best way to begin with something is by starting it.

Start reading and praying! 

 

GReat AtTITUDE

“Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”  

— Garth Brooks

Many things in life are confusing and cannot be explained. There will be tough times and moments that God seems silent.

Yet God’s sovereignty and love precede the appointed disappointments in life, confronting us with the truth that God is always in control. Thus, unanswered prayers are already answers themselves. For in the end, Who God is matters more than what He does!

Our humble response — Gratitude (“Great Attitude”): a thankful heart; a Godly lifestyle.

Life is better lived being grateful about everything than by grumbling about anything. 

 

“Be thankful, whatever the circumstances may be…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

Not an Option

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” 

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 MSG

 

 

 

Lifestyle for a Lifetime

“There is no other activity in life so important as that of prayer.                                 Every other activity depends upon prayer for its best efficiency.”  

–M.E. Andross

“…pray continually.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

Prayer is a lifestyle — Learn it. Love it. Live it. 

 

Dear God

To the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, we praise You
because during times of joy and triumph
You are God

And to same God who is our comforter and the author of peace, we praise you
because during times of trouble and distress
You are still God

And because you are the God who never changes,
the God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow,
We find no reason for why our faith in you should change
even if the situation in our life demands it to

Teach us, Lord, that You ways are not our ways
and Your thoughts, not our thoughts
And more often than not, remind us
that Your answers are always wiser than our prayers

And when the night is long and the sky is dark
And no sight is left for our eyes to see,
Teach us, Father, teach us
To trust in Your heart

For in any and every way,
You have always known the better.

Amen.

 

Why Do I Pray?

“Prayer is far more complex than some make it out to be.

There is much more involved than merely asking for something and receiving it. For every person who feels that prayer has not “worked” for them and has therefore abandoned God, there is someone else for whom prayer remains a vital part of her life, sustaining her even when her prayers have gone unanswered, because her belief and trust is not only in the power of prayer but…

…in the character and wisdom of God.”  

– Ravi Zacharias

Praying is not merely about asking but on trusting.