Upcoming newsletter "Let's
be reasonable" Is there really a God? Creation vs. evolution. Very interesting
topic, such as why are they teaching it to our kids when they know it's not a proven
theory? You might be amazed but not surprised. This will be a 2 or 3 part series.
On with prayer
Jesus is not only our Lord, but he is our mediator, advocate, and
intercessor. He stands before us and the Father.
As I mentioned in an earlier letter Jesus told His disciples not to pray to Him.
They were to pray to the Father through His Name. John 16:23-24. A lot of people
don't know this, it's the Father who answers our prayer.
We can tell Jesus how much we love Him and appreciate Him. Eph. 3:14-15 "For
this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole
family in heaven and earth is named." It's not important what church you go
to but it is important in whose family you are.
Prayer is our NEED crying
out for help. Prayer is the voice of Faith to the Father. Prayer is born then of
the sense of need, and the assurance that the need will be met. Unbelief cannot pray;
it can only utter words.
Prayer is the Living Word in lips of faith. It is holding His Word
up to Him in prayer like a mirror.
He sees Himself in His Word. He honored His Word by calling His Son,"The Word
" John 3:5 Born of water referring to the Word, (quotation is in footnotes
of Bible, considering what Bible you are using.)
Prayer, then is facing God with man's needs, with His promise to meet those needs.
He taught us to pray. He taught us to trusts His Word. It's His way of saving,
healing, and blessing men. Jesus said in Luke 18:1 Men ought always to pray and
not faint.
Some people pray for Jesus sake. Why would we pray for His sake? Jesus doesn't
need anything. When we pray for Jesus' sake we're asking that it be done to help
Jesus and on our credit. Don't you see how foolish that sounds? For example if
we need money, healing, or whatever is promised in the Bible and we pray to the Father
for it for Jesus' sake we're asking that it may be done to help Jesus. Jesus doesn't
need healing or money.
That's the reason we fail many times in our praying. Our approach is all wrong.
Peter and John said when they were at the gate, Why look on us as if it were our
own power that healed this man? It isn't by our own power or holiness that we get
an answer to prayer. It's because of Jesus we get our prayers answered. He is the
only approach to the father. You can't get there any other way. Thank God that
in His Name we can come. Let's use a little sense and go as wise children, using
the mighty Name of Jesus that He has given us. Jesus gave us the right and the authority
to use His Name.
Walking in forgiveness is very important if we want our prayers answered. Come to
the Father in the Name of Jesus and say I make a fresh commitment to You to live
in peace and harmony, not only with the other brothers and sisters of the Body of
Christ, but also with my friends, associates, neighbors, and family.
I let go of all bitterness, resentment, unkindness, strife, envying, in any form.
I received it by faith.I have the assurance of being cleansed from all the unrighteousness
through Jesus Christ. Also I ask for you to forgive me that have wronged me or hurt
me. Because I must forgive them to be forgiven by You. Deal with them in your mercy
and loving-kindness, because Your loving kindness is better than love.
My purpose is to walk in love, and to seek peace among my fellow man. And to live
in a way that is pleasing to you.
Some scripture references;
John 1:9
Phil. 1:9,11
Rom.5:51
Mark 11:25
Rom. 12:16-18
Eph. 4:31
Answers to questions
What 3 human emotions did Jesus feel when He walked the earth?
1.When Jesus walked here on earth what did He do when he was tired? He rested.
2. What did Jesus do when He was thirsty? He drank.
3. What did Jesus do when He was hungry? He ate.
Question 3. What is the trinity? Within the nature of the one God are three eternal
Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Father Romans 1:7
Son John 20:28
Holy Spirit Acts 5:3,4
I lost the 5th letter on prayer and I can’t remember the other question to answer
it. Sorry about that.
This just about covers the prayer series. I hope it has helped you in some way.
If you have any other questions on prayer please feel free to email me. I will be moving on to another topic.
If someone has wronged you or has said something you do not agree with, go to him
and confront that person on the subject. Sometimes people say the wrongs things,
not on purpose, or we misunderstood what that person was saying. If they need to
be corrected what would Jesus do? If you do correct someone please do it in a pleasant
and respectful way. And take it to the Lord in prayer.
Greg & Gan Christensen