Devoted to Prayer

Dr. Charles F. Stanley says, "The
Savior was devoted to prayer.

He met with God in the early morning, 
sought Him in the midst of busy days, 
and slipped away for nighttime fellowship with Him.

His actions testify to the central place prayer is to have in the lives of believers.

Prayer seemed to come naturally to Jesus, but most of us have to work at maintaining regular communion with God.

We find ourselves easily distracted by the details of life, our own desires, and the demands of people.

The road to a deepening prayer life begins with the firm commitment to develop a habit of talking with God and to make it a high priority in our day.


We follow through by setting aside a daily time with the Lord and by identifying a location that minimizes interruptions.

Sacrifice will be necessary to make this  happen—we might have to accept less sleep, give up a favorite activity, or use our lunch hour for prayer.

And parents might have to ask friends for help with the kids in order to have alone time with God.

In addition, our prayer life must be undergirded by Scripture, which teaches us about God's character, promises, and priorities.

The Bible turns our thoughts from worldly cares and pleasures to a focus on the Lord. Reading it daily will remind us that He is supremely important to our life and our desire should be to please Him.

Then, we'll be ready to make requests according to His will—and to hear what He has to say.

Evaluate the current state of your prayer life, and commit to improving at least one area described above."

Used by permission  customercare@intouch.org (As seen on page 38 of the Nov. '14 Daily Devotions section of the IN TOUCH magazine.)

Pray with me:

   Father, I know that prayer and reading
of Your Word will turn my thoughts from
worldly cares and pleasures, and bring
my focus on You.

   Remind me how extremely important this to my Christian life and witness, and is pleasing to You.

   May I be sure to set aside a daily time with You, so You can give directions for my day's activities and effectiveness in using my talents You've given me.

   I ask this in the name of Jesus, amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Habakkuk 3:19 "The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon my high places."

Today’s quote: David Roper - "Humility and contrition are the 
keys that open the heart of God. Someone has said that the best disposition for praying is being stripped of everything. It is crying 
out of the depths. It comes from the soul that knows its deep depravity.

Such prayers are offered by those who are thoroughly convicted of their sin and shame, but, at the same time, are convinced of God's grace that goes out to undeserving sinners. God hears best those who cry out: 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (Luke 18:13).

Lord, I am like Jacob, in need of Your mercy.
I have failed You, and I bow at Your feet today.
Thank You for being a merciful God, ready
and able to forgive and restore me.

It is fitting for a great God to forgive great sinners."

Our Daily Bread

11/5/14

Thoughts for today: If you don't understand your problem, you'll not know you have a great need, and to even admit you have one.

- Pursuit of money, sex, and etc has no end of full satisfaction.

- Relationship with God, Who is the Author of all beauty and wonder, is the One Who can satisfy us thoroughly.


16th- Tuesday’s post:  #25 Territorial Spirits
C. Peter Wagner

18th- Thursday's post:  #26 Spiritual Power in Evangelism
C. Peter Wagner

20th- Saturday's post:  He Will Heal You
Max Lucado

21st- Sunday evening's post: Behind the Song: Have Thine Own Way   Diane Leagh Matthews

A popular post:  What is Intercession?

C. Peter Wagner tells us from his book, PRAYER SHIELD, "We often use the word 'intercession' as a synonym for 'prayer.'

In ordinary conversation it is acceptable to use the words interchangeable, but not when we are dealing with them as technical terms."

jowildflowers@gmail.com

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