Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- Because you are God's child, everything which concerns you is important to God. Nothing is too great or too small to share with your heavenly Father. You pray, not to inform Jesus of what He does not know, but to share your heart's desire, your problems, and your needs.
You come to talk it over with your beloved Lord. He will hear you, for He has been waiting for you to present your personal petitions. (Google image, Child in blue praying)
As you looked forward to your prayer retreat, you probably made a list of persons and needs. Now is the time to consult the list. As additional items occur to you, jot them down. Present your petitions, one by one. The time to ask Him for all you need is when you are in God's presence (1 John 5:14-15); Phil 4:19).
Just as Hezekiah, upon receiving a threatening letter from Sennacherib, went to the temple and spread out the letter before the Lord (2 Kings 19:14-20), so you open your heart and share freely with Him. Then, just as the Lord replied to Hezekiah, so He will say to you, "I have heard your prayer."
6. Plan for some variety or change during your prayer retreat. Prayer can be exhausting as you continue hour after hour. You may need to change your posture. Get up and walk around a bit, sing a song quietly, alternate audible prayer with silent prayer, or, in some other way, introduce a change of pace. If you are not fasting, a small snack may refresh you. God is your father; He understands your physical need. Be free and relaxed in His presence.
7. Lay hold of God's promise. Earlier, when you laid the foundation of your prayer time by first saturating your soul with God's Word and feasting on the Scriptures, God may have impressed on you some special promise. Use it now. Or, as you sense the nearness of God's presence, and as you intercede for others and pray for your own needs, God may bring to your memory other special promises.
If not, perhaps He will guide you now to turn again to His Word and will bless to your heart a promise which you have not noticed for a long time, or it may be one you have used in prayer repeatedly. There are no promises more filled with blessing then the ones you have used again and again. Now He may apply it in a new, fresh way to your need.
When Jacob returned to Canaan and spent all night in prayer, he reminded God of His promise (Gen. 32:9). When Moses interceded with God, he reminded God of His Word (Exod. 32:13). the psalmist prayed, 'Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope" (Ps. 119:49).
Peter urged his hearers at Pentecost to claim what God had promised (Acts 2:39). Like Abraham, we must not waver through unbelief regarding His promise but, strengthened in faith by the promise, give praise and glory to God (Rom. 4:20). Why? Because we are "fully persuaded" that God has power to do what He promises (v. 21).
With your Bible in your hand and your finger on His promise, come boldly, confidently, and joyfully to His throne of grace. "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence " (Eph. 3:12) "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" (Heb. 10:19-22).
8. Be sure to close your prayer retreat with another time of praise, worship, and thanksgiving. When you have come to the conclusion of your prayer time, God will probably give you a blessed peace of heart, a renewed, confident assurance, and a deep joy of soul. Now is the time for the doxology. Now is the time once more to love the Lord, adore Him, and praise Him.
Even if you cannot yet see God's full answer or be sure just how He will work, return to your duties with a singing heart, strengthened in faith. In the words of a classic hymn, 'In the Secret of His Presence,' written by Miss Ellen Lakshmi Goreh of Allahabad, India:
And when ever you leave the silence
Of that happy meeting place,
You will surely bear the image
Of the Master in your face
Father, we are grateful that everything which concerns us is important to You. Nothing will be too great or too small to have Your attention as we share our heart's desires with You. Draw us near to talk over our personal concerns.
As we come into Your presence, may we read over our list of things and people we are concerned with, so we can remember to ask for Your help with them. May we open our hearts and share freely with You, for we know You hear our prayers.
In our prayer retreat, help us to change our positions occasionally and maybe sing a song, either in our own language or in the Spirit. Help us alternate silent and audible praying, and to make physical changes, like getting up and walking around to help us stay focused, refreshed and relaxed in Your presence. [I'm finding this is a big help]
Today's Bible verses-
Psalm 1:1 (NIV)“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.”
Proverbs 11:14 (CSB) "Without guidance, a people will fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance."
~ No matter what our challenge may be, we're to remember that the love of God surrounds and protects us as believers. When bitter words have been spoken and regretted, may we recall that we have the protective blanket of God's love, and because He's in our corner, we can weather any storm. Our repenting and making things right, can brighten up any day!
Today's question-
What is it that Christ builds His Church with?
Christ takes us as we are, broken, sad, hopeless and desperate, and makes new creatures of us. His Ability to change us is how He builds His Church. Week after week He enables us to make changes in our lives that glorify Him to become His team where we find ourselves in churches.
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Sermon listing: https://www.
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