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Prayer Lessons

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Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is --his good, pleasing and perfect will. -- Romans 12: 2 (NIV)

 

This is especially true in the realm of prayer. When it comes to prayer we need to move away from the thinking of this world. We need to renew our mind when it comes to prayer. The main concept we truly need to internalize is that the answer of no or wait is still a good answer. We need to seek God not for approval but for His will. We believe that we serve a God that sees all time. He sees what would happen if we got our way and sometimes His answer is no or wait. We need to trust that those answers are always in our best interest:

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -- Romans 8: 28 (NIV)

 

This is a pivotal verse for our faith. It is a verse we need to get deep down in our soul. It needs to be a lynchpin for our beliefs. God sees what would happen if you get that promotion. God sees what happens if you were to move. God sees what would happen if you were to hit lotto. We may not see why the no or wait answer is in our best interest but Romans 8: 28 assures us that it is.

 

Lastly, we see the key to prayer which is sorely lacking today, humility. Jesus explains to her in no uncertain terms that she is not entitled to the healing she is seeking and in doing so draws an unfavorable comparison of the woman to a dog. How many of us would have had our pride well up inside of us and storm away at this point? How many of us would have been indignant? Yet this woman not only persevered but she lowered herself as low as she could go to obtain the answer to her prayers. She empties herself of any pride whatsoever in agreeing with the Lord in His analogy. The result is Jesus answers her prayers and heals her daughter.

 

Yet how often do we truly approach the Lord in this manner when it comes to prayer? How often is prayer just a "whine list" for God to fix? How often do we treat God like an ATM for our whims? This is partly because of the poor "bless-me" theology that so much of modern Christianity has become. We start to think that we are somehow owed something from God for "good behavior" when the reality is that our good behavior benefits us! How many times have I heard Christian lament that they have "given up all the fun things" for God as opposed to being delivered from them! The bless me theology reinforces a poor and inaccurate image of who God is. God is the one who has already blessed you! He has already saved you if you have a true relationship with Jesus Christ today. He has written your name in the Lambs Book of Life! Instead of "bless me" we should be centered on "thank you."

 

Humility is the key but the truth is that we can start to think more of ourselves because of our religiosity as opposed to our relationship. As long as we stay focused on our relationship with God then we will always remember our place. That relationship is one of sinner and Savior. One who was going to hell and one who saved me from going to hell. How can I ever approach my Savior with anything other than reverent awe? How can I so easily dismiss what He has done for me in pursuit of what I think I want now? God gave us a parable to explain it. Two people going to pray in the temple. The first was a Pharisee, the religious expert of his day. Well respected by men, knew Scriptures, and thought more of himself than God. This was his prayer:

 

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: "I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' -- Luke 18: 11-12 (NLT)

 

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Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to (more...)
 
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