|
 |
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS |
|
As far back as I can remember, there was a picture hanging on
the wall of our home which said, "Prayer Changes Things."
I can remember asking my mother about it and although I cannot
remember her exact answer, the message was clear -
she believed in praying. Therefore, I was taught to pray.
As I told in the memorial on "My Father" page, she requested
that I pray for my Daddy to stop drinking.
I prayed for him and he did quit drinking.
As I grew older, my mother requested that I pray
for my brother to not be drafted into the armed services.
He was called to serve and enlisted in the Air Force before
being drafted in the Army because she felt that was a safer
branch to be in. I began to wonder about praying, though.
I mistakenly thought that God would grant whatever I asked.
So I didn't pray so regularly after that.
I was probably 21 before I began to start praying on a regular
basis again. I was more mature and I realized that my requests
had to coincide with God's will.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that,
if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1 John 5:14 KJV
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
1 John 5:15 KJV
|
Also, I learned that God doesn't hear the prayer
of those "in sin"
unless it is a prayer of repentance.
|
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
and your sins have hid his face from you,
that he will not hear.
Isaiah 59:2
|
|
Many times I've prayed since becoming a Christian, and many times God answered my prayers in the way I wished, but always I felt that He answered them in the way that was best or at least I accepted it that way.
It helps to remember that His ways are not our ways.
|
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:9 KJV
And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV
|
God's love is ever-present,
even though it seems not to be at times.
|
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings,
and not one of them is forgotten before God?
Luke 12:6
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:7
|
One of the richest blessings of being a Christian
is our belief that
God hears and answers our prayers.
|
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
|
"How Long Has It Been?"
by Mosie Lister
How Long Has It Been?
How long has it been since you talked with the Lord,
And told Him your heart's hidden secrets?
How long since you prayed?
How long since you stayed on yours knees
till the light shone thru..?
How long has it been since your mind felt at ease?
How long since your heart knew no burden?
Can you call Him your friend?
How long has it been since you knew
that He cared for you?
How long has it been since you knelt by your bed,
And prayed to the Lord up in heaven?
How long since you knew that He'd answer you,
And would keep you the long night thru..?
How long has it been since you woke with the dawn,
And felt that the day's worth the living?
Can you call Him your friend?
How long has it been since you knew
that He cared for you?
|
More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
~~~~~Alfred Tennyson
Prayers Can't Be Answered Unless They Are Prayed
Life without purpose is barren indeed---
There can't be a harvest unless you plant seed.
There can't be attainment unless there's a goal.
And man's but a robot unless there's a soul...
If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,
And unless there's a contest, nobody can win...
For games can't be won unless they are played.
And PRAYERS can't be ANSWERED unless they are PRAYED...
So whatever is wrong with your life today,
You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray.
Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,
Not just for honors and prestige and wealth...
But PRAY FOR A PURPOSE to MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING,
And PRAY FOR THE JOY of UNSELFISH GIVING,
For GREAT IS YOUR GLADNESS and RICH YOUR REWARD,
When you make your LIFE'S PURPOSE the choice of the Lord.
~~~~~Helen Steiner Rice
Below is from HEARTLIGHT Magazine,
a Christian-living e-zine
on the Web.
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web
for more articles,
plus music, devotionals
and more for your Christian walk!
VERSE:
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe,
all things are
possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:23
THOUGHT
by Phil Ware of Heartlight
A desperate father comes to Jesus with a request
for help IF
there is anything he can do to help.
IF! IF? Everything is
possible if we believe.
Does it mean it will happen?
Not
necessarily, but we know it CAN happen
if God chooses to do it to
glorify himself,
protect his people, or accomplish his will. Our
commitment
needs to be that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:
"We serve a God who is able to deliver us...
but even if he does
not,
we will not worship other gods who are false!"
(see Daniel 3)
PRAYER:
Now to God, who is able to do exceedingly and
abundantly more
than we can ask or imagine,
be glory... forever and ever.
In the glorious name of Jesus I praise you. Amen.
(cf. Ephesians 3:20-21)
MY PRAYER COLLECTION
Comments Welcomed!
The word "prayer" occurs 114 times in 107 verses of the Bible.
Click
HERE and
enter the word "prayer"
to read them from "The Blue Letter Bible" website.
Use your browser's "back-arrow" to return here.
Back to Carol's Collection
Click here to hear the music Alleluia.
<![CDATA[
<bgsound src="trestime.mid" alt="Treasured Moments">]]>
Treasured Moments
|
