11-18-2014

 Good Morning All,

       2 Corinthians 1:11; “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

       Yesterday we watched our grandson.  While he was with us, my wife and I attempted to convert the “pack-n-play” from the toddler set-up back to the newborn set-up.  We dumped the bag of parts on the floor and then looked at each other somewhat perplexed.  My grandson was watching as Grandpa and Grandma struggled to re-assemble the “pack-n-play”.  Soon he ran out of the room and came back with his “wrench.”  “I help fix it.”  I must confess, at the time, I was ready to let a 2 year old take it on.  We did finally figure it out so now we have a bed for our grandson and a bed for our granddaughter; bring it on!

    Sometimes we approach prayer with the same attitude as watching a 2 year old bringing his toy tools to “fix” a problem.  I often hear phrases like, “I can only pray” or “the only thing left is prayer” or “I only heard the prayers this morning”.  We place prayer at the same level as plastic toys in the hands of a toddler yet the Bible places prayer as one of the greatest gifts that God gives to his people.  God tells us over and over to pray, to call upon his Name, to ask of him and many more references.

     The most common request that Paul makes of his readers is that they pray for him; more than for money or help or any other action; Paul asks for their prayers.  The reason is simple; prayer changes lives.  Prayer will change your life and the life of the one you pray for.  God has promised to answer prayer and he does.  So for us, prayer is one of the most powerful tools that we have at our disposal.  We have a tool more powerful than anything the devil can throw at us; prayer works because God tells us it will.

    So never think that the only thing that you can is “just pray;” prayer is your most powerful tool and should be the first tool you choose.  Prayer has the power to move mountains but more importantly; it has the power to bring about healing and to bring peace.  Prayer is the power tool that God gives to all of his children whether young or old, whether rich or poor.  You may not be able to preach like Paul but you can pray like him.  That is the beauty of prayer; its power is because of God’s promise and not because of the power of the person praying.

   So make a list of people and pray for them.  Pray for the nation; pray for the creation that it might be made whole.  Join with some of your family or friends and pray at the same time of the day so that your prayers will rise to God together as one prayer.  God describes prayers as sweet incense to him; God desires that you pray so pray.  Pray for your family and friends; pray for your enemies and those who do not know God.  Pray for your fellow Christians and pray the Jesus will return soon to bring about our final victory.

God of all wonder, you have given us the wonderful gift of prayer.  Lead us by your Spirit to pray for all the needs of your people.  Lead us to trust in your promise to answer prayers.  Lift up the hearts of your people that they may know the power of prayer in their life.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret