When the Lord brings to mind a person…what do you do? You may say to yourself, “I haven’t touched base with that person in a long time, I wonder how they’re doing…and leave it at that. But have you ever thought that there’s a reason the Lord laid on your heart that individual? God wants you to do two things. The first is to pray, thanking God for them and asking for His Will to be done in their life. But secondly, He wants you to contact them. We are to love one another, and your encouragement may be the very thing they need that day.
Tag: answer to prayer
Ephesians 6:18 ” And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
Any outreach you do must be built and maintained on/by prayer. But for some, their concept of prayer is to only take a certain posture, using certain words. Or for others, their concept of prayer is to beg and plead before an intimidating and menacing judge. Prayer should be as natural as breathing. It’s a continuous running conversation with a close friend and confidant. So maybe instead of using the term prayer – you could use the word talk. Talking to God is a much more non-threatening idea. You’re conversing and consulting with your friend not some ominous power out in the cosmos. Having an ongoing conversation with God during the day will enable you to focus on what’s eternally important while quelling the world’s incessant chatter that’s filling your head.
James 2:17 ” In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. “
Prayer is good…action is good, but the Lord wants us to do both together in wisdom. In Nehemiah 4: 8-9 it says, “They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to met this threat.” Prayer will give you God’s vision. It will give you courage and resolve to move out in discernment and a clearer understanding of the problem you face. Prayer is good…action is good, but they need to go hand in hand to be the most effective.
Nehemiah 2:4 ” The King said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven and I answered the King…”
King Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah what he wanted…but before he responded, Nehemiah prayed. It could be called an “as we go” prayer. This type of supplication doesn’t need to be long… just the length of a deep breath. It doesn’t need to be in depth…a simple “Give me wisdom, Lord!” will suffice. The Lord is with us always…His presence there in the middle of all situations…so why don’t we take a moment to seek His guidance before blurting out something we may later regret.
Luke 6: 27-28 ” But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
You can’t change how others in the world will react and behave towards you. The only thing you can change is how you respond…and this scripture is very direct in how you should go about it. You should love. Not loving the sin, but loving the sinner. You should bless. This means speaking well of someone even if you don’t agree with their life-style. You should pray. Now this is probably the most important command… for pray changes not only the person you’re praying for, but it changes you.
Psalm 38:15 ” I wait for You, O Lord; You will answer, O Lord my God.”
If you’re praying but not expecting…why even bother? If you’re simply mouthing words because it’s the thing to do, but have no hope that God will answer…why waste your breath. If it’s only for show that you pray…why even go there if you don’t truly believe that your prayers are heard? If you’re praying, but not expecting God to move…why bother.
Safetypinlove 