Speech On Good Seed Is Wasted

Things aren't right here on planet Earth. We all know this. Sickness, poverty, injustice, and oppression are not God's intention or design. Many of our prayers will be devoted to fixing what is wrong in our bodies, our finances, our relationships, our world. The children of God continue to pray, even though many wrongs have not yet been corrected. Does it do any good? Does all this praying have any traction with God?

As Christians, we are told that “You can get anything—anything you ask for in prayer—if you believe” (Matthew 21:22 LB). Shouldn’t we encourage our

Christopher Raines, I appreciate your emphasis upon prayer. It is something I myself often emphasize while talking with others and think it is a critical aspect of the Christian’s life, both leader and follower. I often see posts on Facebook and hear people saying things like “I’ll pray for you” or “I’m praying”, and while I appreciate the sentiment it is often only that, a sentiment. Saying “I’ll pray for you” has, for many, become just a nice though, what they are really saying is “I’m thinking about you” but prayer is much more than sentiment.

A JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF GOD WITH TERESA OF AVILA Introduction The interior Castle by Teresa of Avila is one of the most well known and much- treasured books on mysticism and spirituality. Though hundreds of years have passed since it was written, Christians today still find in it a rich source of help and guidance in their journey towards a deeper union with God. Written towards the end of her life, Teresa could draw from her own long experience of her spiritual journey towards perfection and what immediately stands out in this book is the simple yet lively temperament of this humble nun whose main aim in life was growing in union with God and helping others do the same. About the author Born in Avila to a Catholic

Praying is how I’m able to have conversations with God and really be able to make him apart of my regular life. What I’ve learned over time is that my prayers never fall upon deaf ears. He’s there in the times that I need it the most. I’ve found that my prayers have become more meaningful and less forced over time. One of the evidence that I’ve found was in Fifth Grade when the Sandy Hooks Elementary shooting happened. I wrote a prayer for the youngest victims of the attack. I also wrote about protecting the children that died during the attack and comforting the relatives of those children. This showed that I was fulfilling the expectation to integrate prayer into my daily life and ultimately showed my Catholic identity. Through that prayer, I was able to learn more about how I can connect to God and have conversations with him in different ways. This piece of evidence shows the fulfillment of Student Learning Expectation #1C, which is a life of Christian prayer. This prayer shows that I’ve had a logical understanding of my relationship with God. I believe that I’ve shown

If we pray without unceasing, it will help to protect us from evil. We are always in danger of being tempted. Luther teaches us that in the Lord ’s Prayer it says, “and lead us not into temptation.” So we say””keep us fit and alert, eager and diligent in thy work and service….” There is no position in life in which we may not be assaulted by the enemy. Therefore pray without ceasing. If a man who is going along a dark road where he knows that there are robbers, he will equip himself with weapons. He may have a sword with him in his hand to let the robbers know that he is ready for them. So as Christian, we pray without ceasing - carry our sword which is prayer. As we are tempted without ceasing, so we should pray without ceasing.

W. Pink defines the design of prayer in his book, The Sovereignty of God, by saying, "Not that God's will may be altered, but that it may be accomplished in His own good time and way. It is because God has promised certain things, that we can ask for them with the full assurance of faith" (172). In prayer, Christians recognize the importance of how Christ is the sustainer and ruler of all things by fully depending on him. They show this submission by putting their faith and trust in Christ when they ask him for things. Many people in prayer, Christian or not, usually ask for safety throughout travels, for healing when a loved one or themselves are sick, for comfort through hard times, for wisdom and discernment in making a decision, etc. What people do not realize is that they are simply proving the very fact that Christ is completely sovereign and in control of everything when they ask him to keep them safe, or to heal them or their loved one, or to comfort them when they are going through a trial, or to give them the wisdom in making any decision. By stating and asking those things, they are unknowingly acknowledging He is in control of every single one of those

I wholeheartedly believe that prayer is a superior method of healing and guidance. When I talk to God through prayer, even if nothing immediate happens, I feel relieved and less burdened about issues I cannot control. I accept that sometimes you must be patient and that sometimes it may feel like you are on the wrong path, but as long as I keep praying for guidance, I know I will receive it (Matthew 7:7). The Lord has been a constant in my life and has provided me with many opportunities, some of which I never have fathomed and I praise him every day. Just as McMinn (2011) discusses, prayer is about petition and about worship and that prayer humbles us and “from this position of humility, we can see God’s will more clearly, and God grants us our deepest desires” (NUMBER).

Thank you for your post on Dave Earley’s thoughts on “fleece” praying and its relevancy in the Church Age today. In order to understand the relevancy of “fleece” praying, believers must understand the purpose of praying. Richard J. Foster shares, “Of all spiritual disciplines, prayer is the most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the Father” (1998, 33). Prayer is a communication with our heavenly Father. Jesus shared with the disciples a simple, but powerful interactive prayer with his disciples. He stated, “Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done…” (Matt. 6:9). I agree with you wholeheartedly, “God will not answer prayers that are not a part of his will

“Prayer is essential in the Christian's life. Without it efforts to witness will be far less effective, and will be far more vulnerable to the enemy. When witnessing, the support of the Lord is needed. Fellowship with the Lord is required for evangelism to be successful. Prayer makes this all possible.” (Slick 2015)

The Bible says that the fervent effectual prayers of righteous people avail much. In the same passage we are given the example of Elijah. He prayed that it would be no rain and his prayer was answered. It did not rain for three years and six months. One again, he prayed that it would rain and his prayer was answered – how awesome. We are told that he was just like us. In other words, although he was a great prophet, we have just as great of a standing before the Lord when it comes to having our prayers answered. We can be like Elijah, being righteous and praying earnestly and see our prayers answered. Jubilee Music Enrichment needs righteous partners to diligently pray for this ministry as we commence programs in our new building. We can see

Action must go hand in hand with prayer and prayer must go hand in hand with action and one without the other simply does NOT work! This concept is found directly in the Talmud, please see Mesechet Nidda 70b.

When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him (Matthew 5:7, NLT). In Matthew 5:9:15 He gives us the model prayer: • Our Father-we pray to the Father • Hollowed be thou name-worship • Your kingdom come-praying that His kingdom be established, and that His will be done on the earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer is often a thing that is neglected because of various reasons. We are told in Romans 12:12 to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” This is similar to Matthew 6: 5-8, which talks about how and where to pray. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” After explaining this, Jesus says the Lord’s Prayer and talks about forgiveness. Prayer is very crucial part in your relationship with God. Through prayer, you are able to talk to God and tell him about your fears and struggles. This is why you should be devoted and faithful in prayer.

Having been a Christian for many years I thought that I had a fair knowledge of what it meant to pray. I was amazed and humbled by the idea that through Jesus’ restorative act on the cross I am able to come into God’s presence - and not only come but be welcomed and even longed for. I believed that prayer is a powerful tool to petition God , a vehicle to praise Him , and an instrument to increase our intimacy with Him . I understood that people pray in a variety of ways, based on the teaching they have received, their experience, and even their personality. Most commonly, I engaged in prayer as a conversation with God.