sunday lesson...

PRAYER!

As faithful Christians, we have the privilege of taking our concerns and desires to God in prayer. Paul, in Ephesians 6, encourages Christians to 'pray always with all prayer and supplication.' Colossians 4:2 tells all faithful to 'Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" And in 1 Thess. 5:17, we are commanded to "pray without ceasing".

In Luke 11, the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. While they had prayed as Jews, they desired to learn more about this privilege they had been afforded to commune in prayer with God. Jesus' response to this question was the offering of a model prayer, often referred to as The Lord's Prayer. This prayer was given as an example of how to pray (rather than a prayer to repeat in rote).

Christ's example of prayer to His disciples shows us that when we pray we:
~~Address God the Father {"Our Father Who art in heaven" Mt.6:9}
~~Express reverence toward God {"Hallowed be thy name" Mt.6:9}
~~Include supplication for:
*God's purposes {Your kingdom come, thy will be done. Mt.6:10}
*Our physical needs {Give us this day our daily bread Mt. 6:11}
* Our spiritual needs {"And forgive us our debts..." Mt.6:12}
* The spiritual needs of others {..as we forgive our debtors." Mt.6:12}
*Guidance and help in our struggle against Satan {"And do not lead us into temptation... Mt.6:13}
~~Praise God {For Yours is he kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Mt. 6:13}

With the privilege of prayer, the righteous man is promised that God will always hear the prayers offered up in faith {The ears of the Lord are open to the prayer of the righteous... - 1 Peter 3:12}

With the power of prayer, the faithful Christian is assured comfort through our Almighty God. {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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7}

With the practice of prayer, those seeking truth know that prayer is powerful and that God answers those prayers offered up in love and faith. {The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much James 5:16}

Prayer is powerful.

God hears the prayers of the faithful and He answers them according to His will and in His time.

Prayer is powerful and God has answered those prayers offered up on behalf of my family regarding our 'job situation". Thank you to those that prayed for us! My husband has accepted a job! Yeah!!!! It was not a job that he would have normally looked into, but God works in mysterious ways!

Our God is an awesome God!!!