People of faith have known the power of prayer since time began. Now even the secular worlds of psychology and medicine are catching on. Studies have shown that prayer (and meditation) can help heal. Hospitals across the land have even bolstered their "prayer therapy" for the sick and recovering. At the very least, prayers are comforting in times of need. Try praying daily to experience how the God of the ages will work a miracle in your life.
Here's a morning prayer for healing by author Jordan Rubuin that you can use as a guideline: "Father God, I thank You for creating me in Your image. I praise You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I confess that You are the God that heals, my Great Physician. I ask You to heal my body from the top of my head to the soles of my feet and keep me strong so that I might serve you today. I pray that You would regenerate every bone, joint, tendon, ligament, tissue, organ, and cell of my body. This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. In Jesus Name, Amen!"
Learn From the Biblical Example
All of the great heroes of the Bible, from Abraham to Hannah (the mother of the prophet Samuel) to John the Beloved, were people of fervent faith and devotion. One after another, they demonstrated the power and peace available through prayer and communion with the Creator. Continue in their line of faithful people. This is our day to be faithful heroes for our great God! Be a person of prayer and the Word!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
2 Corinthians 4:7 States, "We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight"
II Corinthians 5:7 reminds us that, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” The Message paraphrase renders the thought: “It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going.” Prayer is all about faith. This week I want to share some thoughts on the subject written by author Tracie Miles:
"It was finally here. My favorite time of year, and my favorite place to be. I hopped out of bed with an unusually eager attitude to do my morning exercise. I stepped out the door into the crisp morning, and inhaled a deep breath of salty beach air. I headed for the soft white sand, and began jogging briskly at the edge of the surf, admiring the vastness of one of God’s most amazing creations. After a short while, the morning sun became exceptionally bright, causing me to squint. It was then that I realized that in my haste to experience the beautiful Carolina surf, I had left my sunglasses behind. I tried to keep my eyes open, but it was just too bright. I thought to myself about the open area around me, and that there were very few people, if any, at the beach this early in the morning, and decided it would be safe to go a short distance with my eyes closed completely.
"As I continued running blindly, and spending time with God in prayer, a startling thought leapt into my mind- “is this what God means when He tells us to walk by faith and not by sight?”. I allowed my mind to drift away from my surroundings and focus on this concept. In the case of my morning run, I already knew that there was nothing in my path to bump into. There were no people, dogs, umbrellas or flying frisbees yet, so I felt completely confident running with my eyes closed. However, life does not always have a bump-free pathway for us to run on, but rather is packed full of obstacles, big and small. During this prayer time, I felt God nudging me to recognize whether or not I would be willing to run with my eyes closed through the bumpy patches of life, and solely rely on Him for my confidence, even when I did not know what lay in front of me.
"I found myself asking God, “Lord, what things do I need to walk by faith in, and not by sight?” For the next several minutes, with each exhale of breath, God brought something to mind that I needed to have a stronger faith about. A family member’s chronic illness. A friend’s job search. A damaged relationship. Someone whom I needed to forgive. Raising my children. Marriage. Health concerns. The war. Who would lead our country. The future. It became crystal clear to me in that moment, that I rarely walk by faith regarding issues of great concern. It seems that when the burdens get heavy, I try to carry them on my own. I fret and worry. I imagine the worst case scenario. I try to determine what I can do to remedy the problem. I waste time wishing things were different. When what I should be doing is giving God the opportunity to do His work. Worrying will not change a thing, but faith can change everything."
Walking by faith and not by sight, does not mean we need to walk around with our physical eyes closed, but that we need to live with the eyes of our heart open. God wants us to put our faith in Him, believing with full confidence that He will take care of the obstacles, guide us around the problems, and carry us through to the end. We are not commanded to merely walk by faith, but live by faith, each and every day.
Let us develop the type of faith in Christ that will allow us to close our physical eyes, and see through the eyes of our heart instead, while moving ahead with no fear because we know that God is in control.
"It was finally here. My favorite time of year, and my favorite place to be. I hopped out of bed with an unusually eager attitude to do my morning exercise. I stepped out the door into the crisp morning, and inhaled a deep breath of salty beach air. I headed for the soft white sand, and began jogging briskly at the edge of the surf, admiring the vastness of one of God’s most amazing creations. After a short while, the morning sun became exceptionally bright, causing me to squint. It was then that I realized that in my haste to experience the beautiful Carolina surf, I had left my sunglasses behind. I tried to keep my eyes open, but it was just too bright. I thought to myself about the open area around me, and that there were very few people, if any, at the beach this early in the morning, and decided it would be safe to go a short distance with my eyes closed completely.
"As I continued running blindly, and spending time with God in prayer, a startling thought leapt into my mind- “is this what God means when He tells us to walk by faith and not by sight?”. I allowed my mind to drift away from my surroundings and focus on this concept. In the case of my morning run, I already knew that there was nothing in my path to bump into. There were no people, dogs, umbrellas or flying frisbees yet, so I felt completely confident running with my eyes closed. However, life does not always have a bump-free pathway for us to run on, but rather is packed full of obstacles, big and small. During this prayer time, I felt God nudging me to recognize whether or not I would be willing to run with my eyes closed through the bumpy patches of life, and solely rely on Him for my confidence, even when I did not know what lay in front of me.
"I found myself asking God, “Lord, what things do I need to walk by faith in, and not by sight?” For the next several minutes, with each exhale of breath, God brought something to mind that I needed to have a stronger faith about. A family member’s chronic illness. A friend’s job search. A damaged relationship. Someone whom I needed to forgive. Raising my children. Marriage. Health concerns. The war. Who would lead our country. The future. It became crystal clear to me in that moment, that I rarely walk by faith regarding issues of great concern. It seems that when the burdens get heavy, I try to carry them on my own. I fret and worry. I imagine the worst case scenario. I try to determine what I can do to remedy the problem. I waste time wishing things were different. When what I should be doing is giving God the opportunity to do His work. Worrying will not change a thing, but faith can change everything."
Walking by faith and not by sight, does not mean we need to walk around with our physical eyes closed, but that we need to live with the eyes of our heart open. God wants us to put our faith in Him, believing with full confidence that He will take care of the obstacles, guide us around the problems, and carry us through to the end. We are not commanded to merely walk by faith, but live by faith, each and every day.
Let us develop the type of faith in Christ that will allow us to close our physical eyes, and see through the eyes of our heart instead, while moving ahead with no fear because we know that God is in control.
Prayer Does Not Change God, But It Changes the One Who Prays!
I have found a great quote on prayer from the famous writer John Bunyan -- “Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.”
That is so true! And even non-Christians (albeit one that studied Christianity a great deal) have some fine insights on prayer. Mahatma Gandhi wrote: “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart."
Finally, I found this from the great philosopher Søren Kierkegaard "Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays."
Please pray for the churches. Pray for the sessions, pray for the people, pray for the outreaches and programs. And please continue to pray for the sick, the elderly, the shut-ins, as well as the children and the youth. Pray for our nation, its troops, the economy, people's finances, and the poor and hurting and underprivileged. Please pray for the ones who still need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, the lost who need to find themselves in Him.
God's love to you, dear prayer partners! Keep praying. Keep smiling for Jesus.
IN CHRIST, Pastor Glenn Wilson
That is so true! And even non-Christians (albeit one that studied Christianity a great deal) have some fine insights on prayer. Mahatma Gandhi wrote: “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart."
Finally, I found this from the great philosopher Søren Kierkegaard "Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays."
Please pray for the churches. Pray for the sessions, pray for the people, pray for the outreaches and programs. And please continue to pray for the sick, the elderly, the shut-ins, as well as the children and the youth. Pray for our nation, its troops, the economy, people's finances, and the poor and hurting and underprivileged. Please pray for the ones who still need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, the lost who need to find themselves in Him.
God's love to you, dear prayer partners! Keep praying. Keep smiling for Jesus.
IN CHRIST, Pastor Glenn Wilson
The Local Church -- A House of Prayer Where Abundant Life is Lived!
Once again, our friend and leader David Feltman strikes a pure chord with this note:
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As I observed the General Assembly at work, I thought – the heart of the church is still the local
parish. It is important to be connected, there are things we do together we cannot do alone but
the heart of the church is the local parish.
I have on my book shelf Leaves from the Notebook of a Tamed Cynic by Reinhold Niebuhr.
Written in 1929, the young Niebuhr, right out of seminary, shares his “notes” about his first
years in a church in Detroit. A cynic of the church converted by the day in and day out ministry
of the local parish.
"It is the local church where:
- Love grows,- forgiveness is offered,- loneliness finds fellowship,
the dying have someone to hold their hand,- the squirming confirmand hears a bit of the truth,
- hope is rebirthed each Sunday, and life is lived.
Never lose sight of the important. The local church is worthy of your time, energy and dollars.
And, it is in giving you will receive."
Thanks to General Presbyter Dave for that wonderful thought!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As I observed the General Assembly at work, I thought – the heart of the church is still the local
parish. It is important to be connected, there are things we do together we cannot do alone but
the heart of the church is the local parish.
I have on my book shelf Leaves from the Notebook of a Tamed Cynic by Reinhold Niebuhr.
Written in 1929, the young Niebuhr, right out of seminary, shares his “notes” about his first
years in a church in Detroit. A cynic of the church converted by the day in and day out ministry
of the local parish.
"It is the local church where:
- Love grows,- forgiveness is offered,- loneliness finds fellowship,
the dying have someone to hold their hand,- the squirming confirmand hears a bit of the truth,
- hope is rebirthed each Sunday, and life is lived.
Never lose sight of the important. The local church is worthy of your time, energy and dollars.
And, it is in giving you will receive."
Thanks to General Presbyter Dave for that wonderful thought!
Become a Member of a PIT crew -- a Prayer Intercession Team
Every great work in the Church begins with someone on their knees. Tap into the power of God through prayer.
Prayer changes things -- and you have been given the power of prayer by the Lord Jesus Christ. He allows you, indeed, He encourages you to pray in His name!
IA church in Mesa, Arizona is using PIT CREWS for Jesus! They have “Pit Crews” or Personal Intercession Teams for every leader in the church. I think it is a large congregation as the pastor said that God had burdened 12 people to pray for him and his family every day, but I think it is a ministry that we could benefit from in our congregations.
We have been blessed in our churches with a strong music ministry, but what might God be able to do in our midst with dedicated and directed prayers? What a joy to keep our organists in prayer each week through all of the more tedious time spent in practice as they prepare to support us in worship. Maybe some of the men would like to pray for PW and the women’s circles -- you could lift up those who are able to gather in prayer. Everyone is called upon to pray for those who are in the hospital, but God might lay on some a ministry to pray for those in need of healing and their families, especially those with long term struggles. Praying for others is lifeblood for the church!
Powerful Prayer Quotes:
When at night you cannot sleep, talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep. ~Author Unknown
Be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your answers. ~William Culbertson
The trouble with our praying is, we often do it as a means of last resort. ~Will Rogers
Prayer changes things -- and you have been given the power of prayer by the Lord Jesus Christ. He allows you, indeed, He encourages you to pray in His name!
IA church in Mesa, Arizona is using PIT CREWS for Jesus! They have “Pit Crews” or Personal Intercession Teams for every leader in the church. I think it is a large congregation as the pastor said that God had burdened 12 people to pray for him and his family every day, but I think it is a ministry that we could benefit from in our congregations.
We have been blessed in our churches with a strong music ministry, but what might God be able to do in our midst with dedicated and directed prayers? What a joy to keep our organists in prayer each week through all of the more tedious time spent in practice as they prepare to support us in worship. Maybe some of the men would like to pray for PW and the women’s circles -- you could lift up those who are able to gather in prayer. Everyone is called upon to pray for those who are in the hospital, but God might lay on some a ministry to pray for those in need of healing and their families, especially those with long term struggles. Praying for others is lifeblood for the church!
Powerful Prayer Quotes:
When at night you cannot sleep, talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep. ~Author Unknown
Be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your answers. ~William Culbertson
The trouble with our praying is, we often do it as a means of last resort. ~Will Rogers
Pray for the Sick and Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
Former journalist and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow died of cancer a couple of years ago. But before he left he gave a wonderful testimony of how Jesus had taught him in his illness and in the illness of others. Snow wtote:
Let love change everything. When Jesus was faced with the prospect of crucifixion, he grieved not for himself, but for us. He cried for Jerusalem before entering the holy city. From the Cross, he took on the cumulative burden of human sin and weakness, and begged for forgiveness on our behalf.
We get repeated chances to learn that life is not about us, that we acquire purpose and satisfaction by sharing in God's love for others. Sickness gets us part way there. It reminds us of our limitations and dependence. But it also gives us a chance to serve the healthy. A minister friend of mine observes that people suffering grave afflictions often acquire the faith of two people, while loved ones accept the worries and fears of two people.
'Learning How to Live'. Most of us have watched friends as they drifted toward God's arms, not with resignation, but with peace and hope. In so doing, they have taught us not how to die, but how to live. They have emulated Christ by transmitting the power and authority of love.
I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago as a wasting cancer took him away. He kept at his table a worn Bible and a 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. A shattering grief disabled his family, many of his old friends, and at least one priest. Here was an humble and very good guy, someone who apologized when he winced with pain because he thought it made his guest uncomfortable. He retained his equanimity and good humor literally until his last conscious moment. "I'm going to try to beat this cancer," he told me several months before he died. "But if I don't, I'll see you on the other side."
His gift was to remind everyone around him that even though God doesn't promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity - filled with life and love we cannot comprehend - and that one can, in the throes of sickness, point the rest of us toward timeless truths that will help us weather future storms.
Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations? Can we surrender our concern in things that don't matter so that we might devote our remaining days to things that do?
When our faith flags, he throws reminders in our way. Think of the praying persons in our midst. They change things, and those of us who have been o n the receiving end of their petitions and intercessions know it. It is hard to describe, but there are times when suddenly the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you feel a surge of God¹s Spirit. Somehow you know that others have chosen, when talking to the Author of all creation, to lift us up, - to speak to Him about us!
This is love of a very special order. But so is the ability to sit back and appreciate the wonder of every created thing. The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid, every happiness more luminous and intense. We may not know how our contest with sickness will end, but we have felt the sovereign touch of God.
'What is man that Thou art mindful of him?' We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects; each and every day each and every one of us who believe, lies in that safe and imp regnable place - in God's hand.
Remember to pray for those who are sick, and for those who grieve the loss of loved ones.
Let love change everything. When Jesus was faced with the prospect of crucifixion, he grieved not for himself, but for us. He cried for Jerusalem before entering the holy city. From the Cross, he took on the cumulative burden of human sin and weakness, and begged for forgiveness on our behalf.
We get repeated chances to learn that life is not about us, that we acquire purpose and satisfaction by sharing in God's love for others. Sickness gets us part way there. It reminds us of our limitations and dependence. But it also gives us a chance to serve the healthy. A minister friend of mine observes that people suffering grave afflictions often acquire the faith of two people, while loved ones accept the worries and fears of two people.
'Learning How to Live'. Most of us have watched friends as they drifted toward God's arms, not with resignation, but with peace and hope. In so doing, they have taught us not how to die, but how to live. They have emulated Christ by transmitting the power and authority of love.
I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago as a wasting cancer took him away. He kept at his table a worn Bible and a 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. A shattering grief disabled his family, many of his old friends, and at least one priest. Here was an humble and very good guy, someone who apologized when he winced with pain because he thought it made his guest uncomfortable. He retained his equanimity and good humor literally until his last conscious moment. "I'm going to try to beat this cancer," he told me several months before he died. "But if I don't, I'll see you on the other side."
His gift was to remind everyone around him that even though God doesn't promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity - filled with life and love we cannot comprehend - and that one can, in the throes of sickness, point the rest of us toward timeless truths that will help us weather future storms.
Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations? Can we surrender our concern in things that don't matter so that we might devote our remaining days to things that do?
When our faith flags, he throws reminders in our way. Think of the praying persons in our midst. They change things, and those of us who have been o n the receiving end of their petitions and intercessions know it. It is hard to describe, but there are times when suddenly the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you feel a surge of God¹s Spirit. Somehow you know that others have chosen, when talking to the Author of all creation, to lift us up, - to speak to Him about us!
This is love of a very special order. But so is the ability to sit back and appreciate the wonder of every created thing. The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid, every happiness more luminous and intense. We may not know how our contest with sickness will end, but we have felt the sovereign touch of God.
'What is man that Thou art mindful of him?' We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects; each and every day each and every one of us who believe, lies in that safe and imp regnable place - in God's hand.
Remember to pray for those who are sick, and for those who grieve the loss of loved ones.
Psalm 119:65 -- Great Peace Have Those Who Love God's Word!
Everything you need in this life is found in the Word of God- direction, healing, peace, joy and provision. No matter what situation you maybe facing today, you can live in peace and victory by knowing God’s Word and applying it your life. Consider Psalm 119:65, “Great peace have those who love Your law and nothing shall make them stumble.” Notice that this verse says that people who love God's Word have great peace. Prayer is all about coming into the presence of God. Have you ever noticed how many times Jesus greets people with words of peace and calm?
Prayer is all about coming into the Peace of God that passes all of our own understanding (Phil. 4:7). How do you show your love for God and His Word? By reading it, studying it, meditating on it, and obeying His commands. When you choose to obey God's Word, it activates His promises in your life. It activates His great peace in your heart. It activates His blessing, power, and provision. It will stimulate your imagine and give you a vision of God’s plan in your life. When you hold God’s Word in your heart, there is nothing that can take it away from you. There's nothing that can make you stumble or offend you. When you love the Word of God and apply it to your life, you will have great peace and live in victory, and enjoy the abundant life He has prepared for you! That is what prayer is about.
Prayer is all about coming into the Peace of God that passes all of our own understanding (Phil. 4:7). How do you show your love for God and His Word? By reading it, studying it, meditating on it, and obeying His commands. When you choose to obey God's Word, it activates His promises in your life. It activates His great peace in your heart. It activates His blessing, power, and provision. It will stimulate your imagine and give you a vision of God’s plan in your life. When you hold God’s Word in your heart, there is nothing that can take it away from you. There's nothing that can make you stumble or offend you. When you love the Word of God and apply it to your life, you will have great peace and live in victory, and enjoy the abundant life He has prepared for you! That is what prayer is about.
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