Dear Friends,
This is such a beautiful reminder that even when we can't find the words, God already knows and He hears our heart.
He loves us so much... we can't begin to fathom this love...
I'm studying Ephesians during the Lent season and when I am reminded of the truth at the very being of Ephesians in chapter 1: 3-5 I am in awe... "How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.. Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eye. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure."
When we take in this truth.. it means in Christ we have all the benefits of knowing God...being chosen for salvation , being adopted as his children, forgiveness, insight, the gifts of the Spirit, power to do His will, the hope of living forever with Christ... Because of Jesus we can enjoy these blessings now. We need to know this and remember this no matter what is happening around us!
Every day we are bombarded with news that causes fear, discouragement and often times in our personal lives we have news that we can't even begin to find words to pray.
It is amazing that our Lord knows what we need before we even think or ask... That is what we need to remember when facing the difficulties life brings. We have the greatest gift of all... we have Jesus.
So how are we instructed to pray, esp. when we can't find the words.. when we are in the valley...
Matthew 6 : "When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!"
If God knows everything we need before we ask in prayer, then why should we pray? Won't God give us what we need whether we pray or not?
Through prayer, we participate in God's work in the world. That's the way God has designed things, with us as his partners in both work and prayer.
Moreover, we pray, not only because God says we should, and not only because prayer allows us to make a difference in the world, but also because through prayer we draw near to God. Though we often come to God with our needs leading the way, as we lay these before him, we discover afresh the comfort and joy of his presence. Like David in Psalm 17, after we have told God what we want him to do for us, we discover that our greatest satisfaction is in knowing God intimately.
What a great way to start our Monday!!!!
Gracious God,
Thank you, gracious God, for knowing our needs even before we bring them to you. This wondrous truth enables us to pray freely, without worrying about getting all the words right. You know what's in our heart. You know our needs.
Yet you want us to pray, not so much to inform you as to be in relationship with you. Through prayer we draw near to you, experiencing the wonderful peace of your presence. Through prayer, we join in your work in the world. Amazingly enough, you have chosen to make us one of your partners. What an honor and a privilege!
Even in this moment of prayer, Lord, may we know that you are with us and we are with you. May we enjoy your presence right now, and throughout this day.
NOW MY FRIEND... can I have an Amen!
Who can relate?
This is such a beautiful reminder that even when we can't find the words, God already knows and He hears our heart.
He loves us so much... we can't begin to fathom this love...
I'm studying Ephesians during the Lent season and when I am reminded of the truth at the very being of Ephesians in chapter 1: 3-5 I am in awe... "How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.. Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eye. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure."
When we take in this truth.. it means in Christ we have all the benefits of knowing God...being chosen for salvation , being adopted as his children, forgiveness, insight, the gifts of the Spirit, power to do His will, the hope of living forever with Christ... Because of Jesus we can enjoy these blessings now. We need to know this and remember this no matter what is happening around us!
Every day we are bombarded with news that causes fear, discouragement and often times in our personal lives we have news that we can't even begin to find words to pray.
It is amazing that our Lord knows what we need before we even think or ask... That is what we need to remember when facing the difficulties life brings. We have the greatest gift of all... we have Jesus.
So how are we instructed to pray, esp. when we can't find the words.. when we are in the valley...
Matthew 6 : "When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!"
If God knows everything we need before we ask in prayer, then why should we pray? Won't God give us what we need whether we pray or not?
Through prayer, we participate in God's work in the world. That's the way God has designed things, with us as his partners in both work and prayer.
Moreover, we pray, not only because God says we should, and not only because prayer allows us to make a difference in the world, but also because through prayer we draw near to God. Though we often come to God with our needs leading the way, as we lay these before him, we discover afresh the comfort and joy of his presence. Like David in Psalm 17, after we have told God what we want him to do for us, we discover that our greatest satisfaction is in knowing God intimately.
What a great way to start our Monday!!!!
Gracious God,
Thank you, gracious God, for knowing our needs even before we bring them to you. This wondrous truth enables us to pray freely, without worrying about getting all the words right. You know what's in our heart. You know our needs.
Yet you want us to pray, not so much to inform you as to be in relationship with you. Through prayer we draw near to you, experiencing the wonderful peace of your presence. Through prayer, we join in your work in the world. Amazingly enough, you have chosen to make us one of your partners. What an honor and a privilege!
Even in this moment of prayer, Lord, may we know that you are with us and we are with you. May we enjoy your presence right now, and throughout this day.
NOW MY FRIEND... can I have an Amen!
Who can relate?
