Taking a Look at Prayer 8

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”- Matthew 6:6 ESV

                  It should be considered a privilege and honor to get alone with our God and commune with him in prayer. Meeting with him daily should be one of the most important things that takes place during that day. It may not be possible to shut yourself up in a small, private room or closet, but your place of private prayer could easily be in your car once you’ve arrived either home from work or at your destination during that particular day or evening. 

                  It is not so much where we pray as WHY we pray. It is the attitude of our heart that should drive our desire to commune with our God. The Pharisees were the example of how NOT to pray as they should on public street corners and raised their voices in prayer so as to appear pious in a display of their supposed religiosity. While there are times when we will pray in public, private conversation with God should take precedence in our lives. It is our way of revitalizing our souls and tapping into the power that IS God.

                  Nothing we do is unseen by our Lord. Our secrets shall be seen & heard clearly by him. This includes our prayers.  He most assuredly will hear us when we pray and will answer as he sees fit to give us the biggest benefit and blessing. Our prayers should be according to his word and not out of our own predetermined or prejudicial feelings. This is why we must read and learn the meaning of scripture. 

                  Having a humble spirit is emblematic of proper Christian living. It needs to spill over to every aspect of our walk with Christ, for it is how he lived … with a humble spirit … humble unto death. Prayer is a critical component in a Christian’s life. Do not take it lightly. Put the proper emphasis on its practice and you will reap the benefits of a closer walk with God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.knowingjesus.com

Taking a Look at Prayer 7

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”- John 17:15 ^NIV

            In this verse Jesus is praying to the Father for his disciples. It would be a wonderful thing to be removed from this world once we become reborn, but that isn’t how it works. Now it’s a fact that the world is typically at odds with believers in Christ. * The reason is quite simple: our values differ from theirs. We refuse to join in the sin that is prevalent in this world, therefore, we are living, breathing indictments of the world’s immorality. The agenda the world follows belongs to Satan, Christ’s greatest enemy.

            If Jesus asked for God’s protection for all Christians from Satan, then we can count on the fact that we’re protected. We have a glimpse of this protection found in Job 1:10. Satan seeks to test one of God’s children. God mentions Job, his obedient servant. The enemy says, naturally Job is going to fear God (as in revere or be in awe of), because the Lord had placed a hedge or wall of protection around him, his family, his property, his possessions. Remove all protection, says Satan, and see if he curses you. Well, we know from the account in the Book of Job that he doesn’t. 

            I present to you the thought that we have no idea how many calamities God has spared us from because of his hedge of protection. You see, the devil is a toothless lion. He can do nothing to God’s children without God’s permission. However, all bets are off if one doesn’t know the Lord. God is not obligated to save or protect anyone who isn’t his child. Give praise to God for his mercy and his protection for Christ prays for us continuously. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Taking a Look at Prayer 6

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”- John 15:7 ESV

 

                  Here we have a statement made by Jesus to his disciples at the Last Supper.  It is instructional in nature. It is also what is called an “if-then” clause. If you do thus, and so, then as a result this will happen. There is a basic understanding that if you follow the Lord’s example you will be blessed. If you love the Lord it stands to reason that you will love his word (the Bible). If you love his word you will know his word. If you know his word you will have a written guide regarding how to live which will line up with God’s personal will for you.

                  Once again, it stands to reason that if your heart is in the right place you won’t be wishing for a Maserati (expensive Italian sports car) or a 1 million dollar home, for while they are just material things and there is nothing intrinsically wrong with wanting or owning these items, I dare say most people don’t really need such items and nothing good would come of owning them in the long run (my opinion).

                  We have the words “and it will be done for you”, but this is a conditional phrase; the back end of the “if-then” clause. It might be done right away, or you may have to wait for what God considers to be the appropriate time to receive your answer. Knowing all that can be known entitles him to make that judgment. We get antsy and impatient like small children on Christmas Eve when we have to wait. The unknown can be frustrating. Ask what you will and then wait for the answer as long as it takes for God to administer it. It’s manifestation will usually be a wonderfully exciting thing. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Taking a Look at Prayer 5

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”- Philippians 4:6 ESV

            Anxiety appears to be a common problem for people, even believers in God. We allow that which we see to dictate how we feel emotionally. Let’s face it, humans are emotional creatures. Some show it more excitedly than others, but I think it is safe to say that we’re all emotional, especially when things go wrong in our lives.

             The Lord tells us not to be anxious about anything, but rather pray about everything with a thankful heart. Remember, God looks at the heart, not what lies on the outside. We overreact to situations, but we truly don’t need to. What God says he means so when he tells us not to be anxious, concerned, or worried, that means he has provided a way to remain calm even in the most trying of times.

            Prayer is really just talking to God.  How often do we make the time to talk to God AND then also take the time to listen, giving the Holy Spirit time to minister God’s wisdom to our hearts? Must we really be in such a hurry that we avoid that which can take our anxiety away and fill us with peace. Now if you are bound and determined to worry and fret about things, then there may be no help for you. Oh, make no mistake about it, the help is there, but you won’t avail yourself of it. Don’t allow the enemy to erode your faith and trust in the Almighty for Satan is a liar and will do whatever he can to spiritually neuter you. Stand strong and place your unwavering trust in God, for he hears your prayers and answers them in due time. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Taking a Look at Prayer 4

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”- Jeremiah 29:12 NIV

            How would you like to be told that you would be going into captivity in a foreign land for 70 years? I can’t say I would like that very much at all. But that is the message God gave Jeremiah to share with the people of Israel. He also let them know that after that time had passed the Lord would bless them with all the things he had promised them. 

                  Israel is a great example of our own walk with the Lord. With all the times they turned their back on God, he still loved them … without conditions placed upon that love. Think of King David … adulterer, murderer, general disobedience mixed in with being an incredible man of God and was referred to as a man after God’s own heart ^{[Acts 13:22]} and the apple of God’s eye ^{[Psalm 17:8]}. 

                  God’s promise to Israel and by association believers today is that when we call on God and pray to him, he will listen. What a wonderful promise. No matter who you are or how undeserving you may think you are, you are no better or worse than the rebellious Israelites or the adulterous, murderer King David. Make no mistake, their sins had dire consequences associated with them, but the punishment was meted out of love. You see, God knows what is best for us and while we CAN go our own way, he tries to guide and direct us by his Holy Spirit. The spirit was with David for he did many mighty deeds in the name of his God. The Lord was also with the people of Israel and performed great things on their behalf. 

                  Know that when you pray your prayers are heard by the creator of the universe and man’s first breath. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Taking a Look at Prayer 3

“…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 ^NIV

            Israel has a long history of turning their back on God. In the 6th chapter of 2nd Chronicles, King Solomon asked God for provisions for the people when they sinned. God placed 4 conditions necessary to receive forgiveness: 1) humble themselves by admitting they had sinned; 2) pray, asking God for forgiveness; 3) continuously seek the face of God and 4) make a 180 degree turn from their sinful lifestyle. 

True repentance is a lot more than just lip service … it’s changed behavior. Scripture tells us God looks upon the heart of an individual and not the exterior ^{[1 Samuel 16:7 NIV]}. It’s also what he looks at when we pray. Do we pray from a sincere and humble heart, or do we have some sort of agenda that drives our prayer? Remember, the Lord knows everything that can be known, so there is no fooling him. Our prayers, when coming from a heart that is hungry after God, shall be answered. The timing of the answers is known only to our Lord. Patience while waiting is very important. If we rush ahead of God, we will likely miss the blessing that comes with a perfectly timed, God-given answer. 

If we prayerfully repent as the Israelites did God will hear us and forgive our sin(s). This also applies to our great nation. If we corporately do that which is described in scripture than our land will be healed. We must pray for our needs, the needs of our friends, our loved ones, our government officials and so on, so as to bring about change, albeit slow change, but change, nonetheless. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Taking a Look at Prayer 2

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ^NIV

            Because the topic is prayer, I would like to focus on the phrase “pray without ceasing”. Now I’d like to clarify that phrase if I may. I think it should be fairly obvious that we are not being told to pray continuously to the exclusion of all else. It means to never stop praying. God never takes time off, so by following his example, we are not to cease praying when things are going well for us. We are to pray in bad times and praise in good times. We are to pray for others and not just ourselves. 

            Prayer is a powerful weapon in our arsenal. God is multi-dimensional … ever-present, able to move and flow allowing him to know all things that can be known. Therefore, he knows what we will ask prior to our asking and has the ability to answer when the time is best and most advantageous for us. 

            I think praying without ceasing means that there is no situation that we cannot pray about. We should never be hesitant to seek God regarding anything. Look at the two phrases that act as the bread to the prayer sandwich … “rejoice always” & “give thanks in all circumstances”. We are not to rejoice & give thanks only when things are going well for us. We are to rejoice & give thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, which implies that we will go thru times of trouble. Let’s face it, we can always find something to praise the Lord about; for the air we breathe, the food we eat, for life itself. 

            We must have confidence that our prayers are heard as they are spoken and not forgotten. Since it is impractical to think we can pray at all times, I believe we can most wholeheartedly be in a prayerful attitude, being ready at a moment’s notice to lift something or someone up to his throne of grace. So remember, pray for any and all things according to God’s specific will for your life. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries