The Privilege of Prayer

Good morning everyone,

 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. ”  Lamentations 3:22-23

 

 

 

 

GIVING THANKS:

 

    *    Thanks to God for all good things

 

  

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

 

    *    For all families dealing with caregiving their loved ones

 

    *    For the state of California as they endure torrential rains, flooding and devastation.

 

    *    For the sick and the afflicted, and those who grieve

 

    *    For the lost

 

 

 

 

 

COMING UP THIS MONTH:

 

    *    Saturday January 21st at 10:00 a.m. will be our ladies bible study here at the building.   Thanks to Michelle for her volunteering to lead the study of standing firm in our faith.  

 

 

    *    Tuesday, January 24th at 9:30 a.m. will be the first mid-week Ladies' study lead by Lisa and Mary Lou Saracino via zoom.  They will be studying 1st and 2nd Thessalonians.    Please contact Lisa or Mary Lou to get a copy of the book they are using for this study.  The classes rotate every other Tuesday. Watch for the zoom invite.

 

 

    *    Friday, January 27th will be a Time for Prayer night from 6pm until 9pm.   

 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on prayer for all the Lord's people.”  Ephesians 6:18

 

We've had a tradition for many years to offer a night of prayer.  In the past it has been called “Midnight Oil” where people are able to come to the building, and pray over the concerns of this body or what is on their hearts in a quiet setting.    Prayer request cards have been placed on the table in the auditorium for prayer requests to completed, and placed in the box.  The cards are displayed on the table that evening for people to take and pray over.  People come when they can, and leave when they need to leave.  This night has proven to be a very powerful time, to focus on God and pray confidentially about anything that is on your heart; to pray over the many prayers of the congregation, or simply give praise and thanks to God. What a privilege to take our requests to the Father.  What a privilege that we live in a country where we are free to pray to God without persecution. Thanks to Mary Lou for coordinating this event.

 

 

    *     Saturday, January 28th at 6:30 p.m.  We will begin John Cooper's video series here at the building – BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT.  

 

“Biblical archeology is one way of gaining evidence of and information about people, places and events mentioned in the Bible. Thus, this field of study can increase our faith by acquainting us with artifacts from the past that support the historic, authenticity and reliability of the Bible.  The information gleaned from these archeological digs can also help us 'give an answer to everyone' who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have.  This is a good place to more clearly define the purpose for this series. This study is not just to find facts but to find the meaning and relevance of those facts for us today.”

 

This is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends, family, co-workers to learn more about our Awesome God.   There are a total of 9 lessons in all, the first two will be covered in this session.  These will be held the last Saturday of the month for the next few months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer….

 

Prayer should be a privilege and honor.    We should desire to talk with GOD.   We GET to talk with God!

 

    Privilege…a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.

 

    Prayer…a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God.

 

Combining these two words Privilege and Prayer brings us true balm for our souls.  Whether our prayers are answered the way we want, or not, we lift our minds, hearts and souls to our Creator.  

 

Trying to get a grasp of the awesomeness of our Creator, helps us make prayer a privilege and priority.

 

Communication with God, Yahweh, The Great I AM, in prayer, is an intimate opportunity.   Just like communicating with our parents here on earth, God our Father wants to hear from us!   Prayer places us in direct contact with Him.  Giving God our total attention in prayer, verbalizing what is on our hearts and giving Him thanks, validates our deep relationship with Our Father in Heaven.  The same God that parted the sea for Moses; The same God who breathed life into Adam and formed Eve from his rib;  the same God who formed this firmament and all that we see, listens to each of us individually.  Our individual prayers are heard by the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient Creator . God knows how many hairs are upon our heads.  He knows what's on our hearts and minds, and He knows what we will say before we say it.  He knows us intimately, inside and out and He longs to hear from us.

 

Our world has come far from prayer.  We live in a day in age where the cellphone, computers and the internet monopolizes much of our time, none of which can truly benefit our soul or our relationship with God.    

 

When Damar Hamlin from the Buffalo Bills football team dropped on the playing field last week, everyone was devastated for this young man.  He suffered cardiac arrest on the field and was in the ICU for 6 days.  We watched this 24 year old player, come close to death right before our eyes.   At the moment he dropped to the ground, there was silence, jaws dropped open, and everyone felt helpless as the doctors tried to help him on the field.   It was interesting to witness everyone's commonality that there was very little we could do…but pray!   On the television, it was encouraging to see people in groups praying;  the team was in tears and praying;  fans were praying;  his family prayed.  What did everyone do at this moment, we prayed!

 

 

Damar was the focus of every sports station and broadcast throughout the country.   Everyone was rooting for him and people were praying for him.   It was soon after the 6 days after the incident that he responded to the medical treatment and spoke to the doctors.  His first words were…” Did the Bills win?”   Joy was felt everywhere that God had answered prayers that were lifted up on his behalf.   

 

On the TODAY show the morning of January 9th, Al Roker said, “There is power in prayer!”  How refreshing to hear those words on T.V… “There is power in prayer!”    Professionals in broadcasting and in the sports arena, took a stance and verbalized on National T.V.  that “There is power in prayer!”   On Thursday January 12th, 10 days after the incident, Damar was discharged from the hospital.   Craig Melvin, the newscaster on the Today show who reported on Damar's discharge from the hospital shared, “They all attribute this, to prayer!”  

 

 

When the Twin towers were hit in NYC on September 11th, 2001, it was a tragic day for our country and world.   A devastating time for everyone where we watched in horror, the events that unfolded in New York City.   We can all remember where we were at that time, and the feeling of sheer helplessness and terror that we all felt ,as we watched the towers crumble.   The lives that were lost, the families that were affected, prayer was the only thing that everyone could do.

 

It is absolutely wonderful to see people praying, however, prayer should not just be a reaction to horrific events.

 

Wednesday evening Ron lead a study on the Spiritual disciplines, one of which is prayer.  Prayer is critical in our faith walk.   Jesus made prayer a priority as he walked this earth.  The Son of God, communicated regularly with the Father. Each of the four Gospel writers share key moments when Jesus prayed.. Matthew records nine times;  Mark records eight times; there were thirteen times in Luke; and five times in the book of John.  From His Baptism to His crucifixion, Jesus prayed to His Father in Heaven.  Prayer should be equally as important to us.  

 

Paul and Silas prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God while they were imprisoned.  After they prayed, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once, every prison door flung open and the chains of the prisoners came loose.  Acts 16:25-26

 

 

God commands us to pray to Him.  

 

 

 

Psalm 148:1-10 ” All of creation is commanded to give praise to God.”

 

 

God Cares for US 

All of Romans!

    

 

God wants the best for us 

 

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the plans I have for you.” declares the LORD, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.“

 

 

Prayer helps us develop a relationship with God.

 

James  4:8 “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.”

 

 

Prayer helps us gain an understanding of God's loving nature.  He Loves US! 

 

1 John 4:7-8 “Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love.”

 

 

The Lord God Almighty can do all things;  there is nothing impossible for Him….

 

Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.”

 

 

Praise our Creator through prayer.  

 

The whole book of Psalms gives us hundreds of reasons why we should PRAISE GOD and give him Thanks.

 

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

Psalm 107:8 “O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

 

 

 

Prayer should be persistent.   

 

 

 

Luke 18:1 “Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray, and never give up.“

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”

 

 

Prayer provides answers!   

God has the power to change our situation for the better, but always has our best interests at stake. For He can see the whole picture.   

 

    The LORD God Almighty answers prayer. Psalm 17:6 ” I call on you, O God, for you will answer me.” 

 

    Psalm 34:17 “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” 

 

 

Prayer offers so much more and is a privilege.

 

If you are not able to come to the building to complete a prayer request card and have prayer requests that you would like included in our Time of Prayer night on January 27th, please email, text or call us with your prayer request.  

 

 

KEEP SINGING…and PRAYING…

 

 

LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS

” And He who searches our hearts knows the mid of the Spirit.”  Romans 8:26-27

 

How do you explain?

How do you describe?

A love that goes from east to west,

and runs as deep as it is wide.

 

You know all our hopes,

Lord You know al our fears,

And words cannot express the love we feel,

but we long for You to hear.

 

So listen to our hearts,

hear our spirits sing,

A simple song of Praise,

from those You have redeemed.

 

We will use the words we know, 

to tell You what an Awesome God you are,

But words are not enough,

to tell You of our love,

so listen to our hearts.

 

If words could fall like rain,

from these lips of mine,

And if I had a thousand years,

Lord I would still run out of time.

 

If you listen to my heart,

every beat will say:

Thank You for the life, 

Thank You for the Truth,

Thank You for the Way!

 

So listen to our hearts,

hear our spirits sing,

A simple song of Praise,

from those You have redeemed.

 

We will use the words we know, 

to tell You what an Awesome God you are,

But words are not enough,

to tell You of our love,

so listen to our hearts.

 

 

There is a day that is coming, in which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

 

 

Philippians 2:10-11 “…God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.  To the glory of God the Father.”

 

The time to pray is now…

 

Let prayer be a privilege and watch God work.

 

God bless,

 

Bruce & Paula