Reading: I Timothy 1,2
My Verse: "First of all then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men. For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high -responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way" (2:1,2)
Prayer is that discipline that so many take part in - even nonbelievers cry out to God when they are in desperate times. Yet, do we truly expect God to answer our prayers? I am brought up short here. For I think too often I enter into prayer out of duty or habit. I am not praying with great expectations!
I am told here that I should be praying for those in "authority or high - responsibility." We are even given a reason why we should be praying for our leaders, "that we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life." Also that we would have a "peaceable" inward life.
What this tells me is that if I am dedicated fervently to praying for leaders it is more likely that I will live a peaceful life with inner contentment. It also tells me that my prayers are effective or should be.
This is hard for me to understand - how my prayers can have any effect on large matters. I Corinthians 3:9 tells us that "we are fellow workmen with God." This tells me that my prayers are important. They do effect change. I must pray with the belief that my prayer will make an objective difference. I think that is often my problem. I do pray for my leaders - but often am doing so because I know this is my duty and so pray dutifully not passionately. Lord, forgive me here.
You showed us by Your own example how important prayer is and how it should be a vital part of our Christian walk. You have throughout scripture showed us through the lives of Moses, David, Daniel, Pal, and many others the results of effective, fervent prayer. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16b).
Lord, I ask You to help me. Help me to enter into prayer for others with the expectation that change will occur. Help me to put aside my own needs, to be so tuned in to You that my prayers are not just vain repetitions of which You warn us. " . . . for they think they will be heard for their much speaking" (Matthew 6:7). I want to be praying changing prayers - prayers that are working alongside You to effect change in the lives of people.
Yes, I must pray with great expectations!
"But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord. At an acceptable and opportune time, O God, in the multitude of Your mercy and the abundance of Your loving-kindness hear me, and in the truth and faithfulness of Your salvation answer me" (Psalm 89:13).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "First of all then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men. For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high -responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way" (2:1,2)
Prayer is that discipline that so many take part in - even nonbelievers cry out to God when they are in desperate times. Yet, do we truly expect God to answer our prayers? I am brought up short here. For I think too often I enter into prayer out of duty or habit. I am not praying with great expectations!
I am told here that I should be praying for those in "authority or high - responsibility." We are even given a reason why we should be praying for our leaders, "that we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life." Also that we would have a "peaceable" inward life.
What this tells me is that if I am dedicated fervently to praying for leaders it is more likely that I will live a peaceful life with inner contentment. It also tells me that my prayers are effective or should be.
This is hard for me to understand - how my prayers can have any effect on large matters. I Corinthians 3:9 tells us that "we are fellow workmen with God." This tells me that my prayers are important. They do effect change. I must pray with the belief that my prayer will make an objective difference. I think that is often my problem. I do pray for my leaders - but often am doing so because I know this is my duty and so pray dutifully not passionately. Lord, forgive me here.
You showed us by Your own example how important prayer is and how it should be a vital part of our Christian walk. You have throughout scripture showed us through the lives of Moses, David, Daniel, Pal, and many others the results of effective, fervent prayer. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16b).
Lord, I ask You to help me. Help me to enter into prayer for others with the expectation that change will occur. Help me to put aside my own needs, to be so tuned in to You that my prayers are not just vain repetitions of which You warn us. " . . . for they think they will be heard for their much speaking" (Matthew 6:7). I want to be praying changing prayers - prayers that are working alongside You to effect change in the lives of people.
Yes, I must pray with great expectations!
"But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord. At an acceptable and opportune time, O God, in the multitude of Your mercy and the abundance of Your loving-kindness hear me, and in the truth and faithfulness of Your salvation answer me" (Psalm 89:13).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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