Prayer Tip: Pray in THE Name of Jesus

Do you feel more like praying after you’ve had a really good day spiritually?  Are you able to ask with greater confidence?  After you’ve messed up (again), do you think God might not be as willing to answer your prayer and that you can only ask small?  Then you’re probably ‘praying in your own name’.

John 16:24   Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.

What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?  It means to pray like Jesus, asking for the things He’s asking.  (Indeed when we’re praying in the Spirit, He is the one that is praying.  Gal. 2:20) It’s like writing a check on His bank account with His name already signed by Him on the signature line.  What a privilege!  What a responsibility.  He’s counting on us as stewards.

With all the needs of people we know multiplied by all the people around the world, for how much should we ask?  How much is in His account?  (He’s the Creator.  If you could ask for something not there, He can create it.)

“Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring, for his grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much.”   John Newton

Prayer Tip: Make The Bible Your Prayer Book

Along with more specific promises God gives you, here are some things that we know are God’s will in any situation.

Cry out to God for contentment and the discernment to know if it’s to be contentment with the battle to change your circumstances or contentment with the circumstances as they are.

Phil. 4:13  Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

God wants us to have an unshakeable and abiding peace.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Also Phil. 4:6,7   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God is always working in every situation to focus our faith.  We can always pray for faith that is focused on Him alone.

II Cor. 1:8,9  For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;

Once again, Make the Bible your prayer book and plead the promises of God!

Prayer Tip: Pray the Answer

Reminder: this Saturday 8/12 is 1/2 Day of Prayer. Come join us at the Plaza for any or all of the time 0800-1200.

–———————————————————

Do you remember working math problems when the textbook had the answers to odd numbered problems in the back?  Most of us looked at the answer first and then worked out the problem with the answer in mind.  The Bible is our answer book and we can pray the same way!

II Cor. 1:20 (Berkley)  “..in Him (Christ) all the promises of God are yes…”

“Promises are molds into which we pour our prayers.  They foretell what to expect.  They shape our praying.  They motivate, direct, and determine our supplication.  This makes Christian praying different – we pray from God’s promise which is His answer, and expect it to be fulfilled.”   Armin Gesswein

Make the Bible your prayer book and plead the promises of God!  Fix your eye on God’s promise rather than the need.