8-11-15 Praying Effectively
1 John 5:14 teaches us the heart, mind, and purpose of God concerning effective praying - it simply is that be in the will of the Father. How will we know, then,whether tom for rain or for the cessation of it? Should we pray for what we want or what God wants?
Ultimately, God wants us to pray scripturally, according to His Word. In matters such as rain, etc., we ought to follow the model of Christ in Luke 22:42. There, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
He asks us to cast our cares on Him in 1 Peter 5:7, but it should always be with 'nevertheless' deference to His sovereign will and grace. Thus, we might communicate our concern for rain, good health, safe travels, but always deferring to that which would please and glorify Him.
As we pray for an individual who seems to be out of control, we might pray according to Proverbs 25:28,
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down,
and without walls.
As we bring a lived one in great trials, we might pray according to 1 Corinthians 10:13,
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it.
As we pray for a lost relative, we might pray according to Romans 10:3 and 13
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
As we pray for a wayward brother or sister in the Lord, we might pray according to Psalm 119:59,
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
As we consider our own tendency to be discouraged, we might pray according to
Psalm 43:5,
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?
hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance,
and my God.
As we see someone in a very wearying care-giving position, we might pray according to Nehemiah 8:10c
...the joy of the Lord is your strength.
What a blessing to speak in the language of the Listener, according to His Word, and to see
Him at working the answers to those prayers, according to His Word, and for His glory.
(C) 1992, 2015 N.A.Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
Ultimately, God wants us to pray scripturally, according to His Word. In matters such as rain, etc., we ought to follow the model of Christ in Luke 22:42. There, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
He asks us to cast our cares on Him in 1 Peter 5:7, but it should always be with 'nevertheless' deference to His sovereign will and grace. Thus, we might communicate our concern for rain, good health, safe travels, but always deferring to that which would please and glorify Him.
As we pray for an individual who seems to be out of control, we might pray according to Proverbs 25:28,
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down,
and without walls.
As we bring a lived one in great trials, we might pray according to 1 Corinthians 10:13,
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it.
As we pray for a lost relative, we might pray according to Romans 10:3 and 13
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
As we pray for a wayward brother or sister in the Lord, we might pray according to Psalm 119:59,
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
As we consider our own tendency to be discouraged, we might pray according to
Psalm 43:5,
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?
hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance,
and my God.
As we see someone in a very wearying care-giving position, we might pray according to Nehemiah 8:10c
...the joy of the Lord is your strength.
What a blessing to speak in the language of the Listener, according to His Word, and to see
Him at working the answers to those prayers, according to His Word, and for His glory.
(C) 1992, 2015 N.A.Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy