National Day of Prayer 2009

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("How To Receive Christ")

-- Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

-- Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

-- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Be joyful always; + 17 Pray without ceasing;
18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Power Of Prayer - How powerful is it?
The power of prayer should not be underestimated. James 5:14-18 declares, "14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers.

Jesus taught, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20). Jesus said , "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." The Bible urges us, "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 praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). The Bible taught that Faith is the most important for the power of prayer (see Hebrew 11), "And without Faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Power Of Prayer - How do I tap into it?
The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in the God who is being prayed to. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him." No matter the person praying, the passion behind the prayer, or the purpose of the prayer - God answers prayers that are in agreement with His will. His answers are not always yes, but are always in our best interest. When our desires line up with His will, we will come to understand that in time. When we pray passionately and purposefully, according to God's will, God responds powerfully!

We cannot access powerful prayer by using "magic formulas." Our prayers being answered is not based on the eloquence of our prayers. We don't have to use certain words or phrases to get God to answer our prayers. Prayer is communicating with God. All you have to do is ask God for His help. Psalm 107:28-30 reminds us, "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven." There is power in prayer!
Power Of Prayer - For what kind of things should I pray?
God's help through the power of prayer is available for all kinds of requests and issues. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, "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." If you need an example of a prayer, read Matthew 6:9-13. These verses are known as the Lord's prayer. The Lord's prayer is not a prayer we are supposed to memorize and simply recite to God. It is only an example of how to pray and the things that should go into a prayer - worship, trust in God, requests, confession, protection, etc. Pray for these kinds of things, but truthfully speak to God using your own words. The Bible taught that God know everything before we pray to Him, "For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8). Jesus encourage His disciples to always pray, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (John 16:24).

The Word of God is full of accounts describing the power of prayer in various situations. The power of prayer has overcome enemies (Psalm 6:9-10), conquered death (2 Kings 4:3-36), brought healing (James 5:14-15), and defeated demons (Mark 9:29). God, through prayer, opens eyes, changes hearts, heals wounds, and grants wisdom (James 1:5). The power of prayer should never be underestimated because it draws on the glory and might of the infinitely powerful God of the universe! Daniel 4:35 proclaims, "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: 'What have You done?'" And "Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him. (Psalms 115:3).

Remember that we are not praying alone but the Holy Spirit lives in us will guide and intercede for us. "26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. ++ 28 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 8:26-28).

It is always good to learn and read more about the power of prayers through Christians and books, because Prayer, Study and Apply the Bible are important for our Faith and the success in our new Christian life changing. But be very careful if what we learn are contradict with the teaching of the Bible, or in the gray areas. We can always pray for wisdom and the Holy Spirit help and guidance to make decision and to conclude what is right or wrong. Thank God for the power of prayers. Amen.

-- All About Prayer

+ Simple Prayers +
Simple prayers come in many different forms. Some have the misconception that in order for a prayer to be effective, it needs to be eloquently worded and spoken with clarity. Not so! God hears the simple prayers of little children and the eloquent prayers of the elderly. There are advises we should write down our prayers in a prayer journal, so we can remember and verify God's blessings and answers, this will encourage, build up our faith, and very helpful to witness and evangelize to others. Praise the LORD for His gift of the power of prayer. Amen.

Here are some ideas of simple prayers. The most important one for a non-Christian is: “Jesus, I am a sinner. I know You came to earth, died on the cross, were buried, and rose again so I can have eternal life in heaven with You. I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me of my sins. Amen.”

A simple prayer for loved ones is: “Father God, someone I love is hurting today. Please visit them. Touch them and make them whole again. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Another idea for a simple prayer for thankfulness could be: “God, thank You for the blessings in my life. I know all good things come from You. I love You God. Amen.”

“Father, I come to You and ask that You heal me of the pain I am in. I ask that You do above and beyond what my doctors can do. I ask in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”

"Father, we pray for our nation and wisdom for our leaders. Please forgive our sins and heal our land. We pray for the recover and improve of the economy so many people will have jobs and be able to provide for their families. But most important, we pray for the fear of God and the Good New of salvation through Jesus Christ to be evangelized to all nations, specially our nation. We pray in Jesus' loving name, Amen."

Your simple prayers can be like the ones above. You can talk to God anytime during the day. You can talk to Him in the shower, lying in bed, kneeling, or lying prostrate on the floor. He doesn’t care how you talk to Him, only that you do.

Our relationship with God is a two way-street. We pray, while He listens. He answers and we listen. Learning to listen for His voice requires stillness on our part, even though our words may be simple prayers. Sometimes, we have to break away from all the demands of this world to find a quiet place to converse with Him. Keep talking, because He’s listening.

-- All About Prayer

A.C.T.S -- (The ACTS of Prayer):

A= Adoration; C= Confession; T= Thanksgiving; S= Supplication

When the world drops you to your knees,
take the opportunity to Pray!

Don't worry about anything, Pray about everything.

Though millions are bending God's ear in Prayer,
He listens to each individually.

More than anything else, Prayer is a relationship.

We cannot survive without communication.
Prayer is our communication with God. Do you want to survive?

The purpose of Prayer is to find God's will
and to make that will our Prayer.

God's answers are wiser than our Prayers.

Pray - don't think about it, because when you think about it,
you think what you want to happen and not what is really happening.

Rich is the person who has a Praying friend.

Where there is much Prayer, there will be much of the Spirit;
where there is much of the Spirit, there will be ever-increasing Prayer.

Prayer is like breathing. Stop breathing and you die. Stop praying and your Christian experience will soon fade away. -- Eric Liddell

Don't pray when you feel like it.
Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. -- Corrie Ten Boom

You say you do not know how to pray?... Follow the leading of simplicity in prayer, there can never be excess of it, for God loves to see us like little children in His presence -- Jean-Pierre De.Caussade
(Mat 19:14 - "Let the little children come to Me, ...)

The more time we spend on our knees in communion with God (and study His Word), the better we shall comprehend His wonderful nature. -- Elizabeth Prentiss

Prayer doesn't consist of gifted speech and elegant phrases, but of brokenness of heart. -- John Mason

Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue. -- Adam Clarke

How rare it is to find a soul silent enough to hear God speak. -- Francois Fenelon

Our Prayer are God's Opportunities. -- Charles E. Cowman

When we pray in the Spirit, we will pray for the right things and in the right way. There will be joy and power in our prayer. -- R.A.Torrey

I live in the Spirit of Prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answer are always coming. -- George Mueller

++ Psalm 66:18-20 - 18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; 19 but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. 20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!

A most beneficial exercise in Secret Prayer before the Father is to write things down exactly so I see exactly what I think and want to say. Only those who have tried these ways know the ineffable benefit of such strenuous times in secret. -- Oswald Chambers

Prayer will make a Christian cease from sin,
or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. -- John Bunyan

Prayer is repeating the Victory's Name (Jesus) into the ears of Satan and insisting on his retreat. -- S.D.Gordon

++ James 4:7-8 - 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. ...

++ Ephesians 6:10-13 - 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Prayer is not preparation for work, it is work. Prayer is not preparation for the battle, it is the battle. -- Oswald Chambers

Whatever God can do, Faith can do; and whatever Faith can do, Prayer can do when it is offered in Faith. -- A.W.Tozer

Prayer is knocking at the door,
Faith is the expectation that it will be opened. -- W.J.Harney

++ Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Unless I had the Spirit of Prayer, I could do nothing. -- Charles G. Finney

Prayer is so necessary, and the source of so many blessings, that he who has discovered the treasure cannot be prevented from having resource to it, whenever he has an opportunity. -- Francois Fenelon

The Spirit of Prayer is more precious than treasures of gold and silver. -- John Bunyan

We should make a private chapel of our heart where we can retire from time to time to commune with Him, peacefully, humbly, lovingly. -- Brother Lawrence

The place you give Jesus Christ in your life determines the place you give prayer. -- Ruth Paxson

No Christ, no prayer. Little Christ, little prayer.
Much Christ, much prayer. -- Ruth Paxson

The greatest and best talent that God gives to any man or woman in this world is the talent of prayer. -- Alexander Whyte

God's children should pray. They should cry day and night to Him. God hears every one of your cries in the busy hour of the daytime and in the lonely watches of the night. -- Robert Murray McCheyne

True Prayer is a lonely business. -- Samuel Chadwick

O God, let the place of Secret Prayer become to me the most beloved spot on earth. -- Andrew Murray

Passionate, pleading, persistent Prayer is always the prelude to revival. -- W.E.Sangster

-- Psalm 121:1-3
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills --
Where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip --
He who watches over you will not slumber.

-- Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's prayer)
9 This, then, is how you should Pray:
"+ Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
+ 11 Give us this day our daily bread.
+ 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
+ 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

-- 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
14 If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

-- Psalms 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

-- Ephesians 3:16-19
16 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

-- 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

+ Psalms 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people He chose for His inheritance.

National Day of Prayer @ Thursday May 7, 2009

NationalDayOfPrayer.com