STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

9/2/2015 ~ Prayer

Prayer.pptx Without spirit, there is no light. Spirit expires without light. Prayer adds depth of spirit inviting the light. Prayer is a humble heart opening event. "... pray to your Father who is in the secret place ..." ~ Matthew 6:5-6 Encounters with God come from the bottom of one’s heart in private. They are most intimately genuine, in honest and open-submission, exposing the whole of your soul. Fools expect to be seen by others rather than heard by God. Pride is a hypocrites Achilles heel and it is one’s nemesis to righteousness. "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. ..." ~ Matthew 6:7-8 Vain self-seeking shallow prayers are not what God seeks; He seeks genuine humble trusting souls. Is asking for stuff more important than asking for life? He knows our deepest needs. "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." ~ Matthew 21:22 As a matter of belief, it is trust that eternally releases the love He offers. He is the caretaker. He supplies what we need to rise in Him. ... he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain ... ~ James 5:17-18 In the deserts of life's challenges, in which we all encounter, thereby comes the true tests and resolve that reveals a faithful heart, ... or not. Belief sharpens the depth of peace. ... if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ... ~ 1st John 5:14-15 God’s will is perfect, and what is required for honest prayer is submission, in a relationship, trusting He knows best. His sees all and wills accordingly. "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ~ Matthew 26:41 Trust can be challenged in the weakness of our flesh, especially as sorrows splash across our bow. ... For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ~ Romans 8:26 Knowing He helps us more than we can help ourselves is what He looks for in our faith in Him. Again, trusting He knows exactly what we need, for our greatest benefit, though we can be oblivious and unaware of those needs, is God’s superseding knowledge from heaven. Delusions abound in many, if not all; a blinding darkness for the mire of humanities constant clear confusion. We all need His help in leading us to become, in a life living the best one can be. To be in God is to achieve nothing greater. ... fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, ... ~ Matthew 26:39-41 Suffering tests one’s reliance upon Him. Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, ..." ~ Matthew 26:42-43 The flesh is a wearisome encounter for all. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. ... ~ Matthew 26:44-45 In sorrow sleep is an escape from the brutal. God wants to hear our earnest beseechments and this is not the same as vain repetitive prayer. God wants serious seeking hearts, not just bobbling heads; automatons narrating useless programed ramblings; hail Mary bops. The deepest of prayers are not rehearsed, but surface as the times arise. In apparent unanswered prayers, He asks we not give up our cries but continue in our greatest concerns of heart. ... be serious and watchful in your prayers. ~ 1st Peter 4:7 The message Jesus brings to us is to be vigilant, not neglecting humble prayer, which comforts, in the face of hardship. It can not be overstated that being in God is not just a casual event. Many mask true serious worship with faux gospel messages, embracing social frolickings void of correct focus on God. ... continued all night in prayer to God. ... ~ Luke 6:12-13 Jesus prayed long and earnestly, especially in the face of important decisions ahead. How does our convictions bear up depending upon the guidance of God and His word? Habitual sin often neglects prayer, especially in acknowledging accountability. To believe in God is not a short term temporary exercise. Selective hearing is like selective prayers if we do not open our hearts up to His will. One must ask for His help if clarity of thought is truly to be had. "... pray for those who spitefully use you." ~ Luke 6:28 Forgiving the anger of those that hate releases one’s heart to find peace. "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing ... For He is kind to the unthankful and evil." ~ Luke 6:35 Kindness is holiness. ... went up on the mountain to pray. ~ Luke 9:28 Often, when important prayers were made, Jesus went off to areas of isolation. These times of deepest prayer come to one alone in the wilderness of humanity's chaos. "... pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." ~ Luke 10:2 Within this vast quagmire of humanity, the Lord looks for those that would help in drawing others to Him. We all need the help of one another, over the attacks that more often drive civilizations to their demise. Without caring hearts, oblivion approaches. It is a call to love the fields of His creation and awaken those to its’ being. ... "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." ~ Luke 11:1-4 Jesus expressed that prayer should regard God in the highest, thanking Him for His mercy, though we do not deserve it, while maintaining a soft heart free of darkness. It is in His light that the heart is made lite. ... men always ought to pray and not lose heart, ... ~ Luke 18:1-8 Conviction to one’s own genuine humble sincerity, in prayer, continually, reaps the reward of knowing He will deliver, while enduring oppressive life in the flesh. A true heart can only be defined as openly confessing all to God, in His light, free of the secret shadows of man or his perceived pompous superiority. None of us deserve His mercy and the endowment of His blessed grace. He wonders if true hearts, devoted to Him, can remain, over devotion to man and his organizations. Will man be able to bear up in His truth and flourish upon His obvious absence. Mortal life is in truth a test of soul conviction. "... everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." ~ Luke 18:10-14 Arrogance and judgment of others in prayer is not the kind of prayers God looks for. Prayer is not a place of cursing. Humble hearts speaking directly to Him is what touches His attention. "... pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." ~ Luke 21:34-36 The temporary cares of this world can only lead to limited if not empty returns; endlessly challenged, if void of His higher truths. Asking to be worthy in all obedient goodness, in His presence, how could a soul ask or seek for more? ... "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." ... ~ Luke 22:39-42 Great release and comfort is found in submitting in prayer, to His will being done. Praying for sin to be kept away, from one’s life, helps in one’s ability to endure and withstand the temptations that all flesh encounter. It is an affirmation of not giving up, and asking for His help in strengthening the spirit to withstand wickedness. Evil that sickens all who would be decent engulfs the world. ... being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. ... ~ Luke 22:43-46 Jesus calls all not to neglect earnest prayers, as they are the shield of the spirit. He implores us not to ignore His call to rise in holiness. Tribulation tests our resolve and should increase our prayer life, rather than succumbing to escaping pleasures of the flesh only diving deeper into the pits of despair. ... And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ~ Acts 2:42 Continuing in prayers is what make one’s relationship with God genuine. Temporary cannot replace that which is permanent. ... that your prayers may not be hindered. ~ 1st Peter 3:7 Peace with those close at home establishes a foundation for deeper prayers of heart. Pray for settling of turmoil. "... For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; ..." ~ 1st Peter 3:12 It is goodness that is a prerequisite for God to hear the brilliance of honest souls. Qualities of the virtuous embedded in righteousness include all that is just and good, morally obedient to God, blameless in Christ. Conniving and contemptuous hearts are left alone to fend for themselves, absent of His illuminating truths. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. ... ~ James 5:16 Healing of the spirit is much more effective if done in union with others. One cannot heal in secret, and only open in His light has redeeming force. A transparent heart is a happy heart in the face of any affliction. The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. ~ Proverbs 15:29 Righteousness and obedience to the word is so crucial if one wants prayers to be acknowledged by God. He has established right over wrong and it should be no surprise to those that choose to rebel in constructions of their own. Fame has no value if not in the truth of His rising light. ... God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." ~ John 9:31 And it is by adhering to God's will that the spirit is rewarded. The epiphany of highest prayer comes by thankful praise, ... in the midst of all circumstances. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ~ Ephesians 5:17 Our union in prayer is unceasing for the true saint. When are we told not to commune with God? ... pray without ceasing, ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:17 His light reaches down to touch us all with His truth. Glorifying God   In Faith     Not Doubting          In Solitary       For Faith not to Fail              Without   Ceasing   In Your Secret Place   For the Word to be Glorified           Not to be Seen     For Godly Laborers    Continually   Not in Vain Repetition     According to His Will                     Upon Important Decisions          With All Perseverance To be Heard The Coming of His Will Always             Unrelentingly        For Strength to Stand in Him                   Believing Rising   To Give Thanks     PRAY Cry Aloud       Trusting Him        Earnestly   For Prosperity For Daily Needs     Serious     For Peace at Home   Watchful      For One Another       Heart’s Desire               For a Loving Heart       For Quiet Peaceable Life In Comforting Surroundings        For Love         For Wise Understanding       For Enemies     For Healing        Safe From Evil         For Forgiveness Worthy to Escape                In Agony For the Sick       Free of Temptation Not For Evil Pleasures   Humble Confession   ☮ To reject His ways in prayer is to find only darkness without Him. Darkness holds to nowhere.