Effective Prayer

Today's Thought:

"Do the people you care about the most get the best of who you are, or are they getting the ragged left overs?"

Effective Prayer

The Bible gives us plenty of lessons on effective prayer. The following are some of these lessons.

Isaiah 1:15-16 "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make your selves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. (We can accomplish this today by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He washes us clean due to His sacrifice for us!)

Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. ( We are called to confess our sins to Jesus and His sacrifice will bring us into the throne of grace so that God does hear our prayers!)

Mark 11:25-26 "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." ( In the Lord's prayer we pray, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.")

Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. ( God consistently makes it clear throughout the Bible that we are to love one another. There is power when we allow forgiveness and love to dominate our life!)

1 Peter 3:7 "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."( This was written in a different culture but the essence of this teaching is still important. If we want our prayers to be effective, we must have love and respect for our spouse!)

John 15:7 "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." ( This is a huge clue to effective prayer. We must abide or remain in all that Jesus has taught us and be applying His teachings to all areas of our life. You cannot abide in Jesus' words and teachings if you you do not know them.)

1 Timothy 2:8 "I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; (If we have anger in or lives we must resolve this anger with love and forgiveness so that when we lift our hands in prayer we have God's attention.)

Our prayer list:

Cathy Watson going through chemo therapy for breast cancer.

Gary Watson for strength and peace as he helps Cathy through the chemo treatments.

Emily Norris, Donna and Will Bowers Daughter, has just been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Faye Heuchert will be having tests for pinched nerves in her back causing leg pain and weakness.

Stan Rutkowski continues to battle pressure wounds.

Mary Knapp seeking diagnosis for dizzy spells.

John Shear, pastor Jackie's husband for kidney healing.

Brad Fultz, Faye Heucherts nephew in ICU on life support.
Bonni Rutkowski for continued strength and healing.
Bonni Schuette continued strength and healing.

Need prayer or pastoral care? Call the church office 618-656-4648.

 Love, pastor kent