PRAYER

Prayer

1Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Paul told the church at Thessalonica to pray without ceasing, in other words always. But our lives need to be in a right relationship with the Lord before we can intercede for others. I think it would behoove us to pray this scripture for ourselves every time we pray

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Once we get in the right place spiritually then and only then can we effectively pray for others. I heard David Gibbs II relate this story about how he was handling a legal case for Preacher Lester Roloff and it seemed things weren’t going well. Bro Roloff called Bro Gibbs early, (real early) one morning of the case and told him to come to his room. Upon entering he saw papers, lists and the such scattered on the bed. Bro Roloff told him they needed to pray. But he told Bro Gibbs to get in one corner of the room and he got in the other and told him to pray till he “was clean”. That day the case changed directions and victory was to be had. It all changed when these two saved men got down to business with God and got clean. You may say, “I’m saved how could I have anything to get clean of?” Well just because we are saved doesn’t protect us from the filth we have to wade through here in this life. If you have ever been around a barn you know it doesn’t matter how careful you are, you will get some stuff on you or you may even fall down in the mire. So, yes, we can all clean up. If we will admit we need some cleaning and come to God for that cleaning we are on the road to being effective in our prayers. I’m afraid too many times we are like the Pharisee that prayed:

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

The scripture show us that the Lord is ready to hear when we get our heart in the right place, for the right reasons. The verse in Psalm 34 shows us He is near those who are broken and contrite.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Question, if you get a call right now to pray for a serious situation in some ones life, is your heart in a position to effectively pray for the situation? I’m not talking about saying a few half hearted words, but are you in a position to go into the throne room with your petitions? If not I hope you will begin to prepare your heart at this very moment.

Prayer is too important to take lightly.

We will probably talk more about prayer in the coming weeks.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!