Hello my dear friends. I pray that each one of you are doing well.
"got prayer?" This is a question we want to pursue this week. I'm sure that most, if not all, of us would agree that prayer is a good thing to do. But do we all believe that prayer works? At least, does it work "for me?"
The psalmist was convinced that prayer did work for him. Even in the midst of unpleasant circumstances, he was confident that his prayer to the Lord was his lifeline to his well-being. His prayer was personal, was expectant, and it was specific.
May each one of us experience the kind of prayer life where we are growing to trust in the Lord's care for us.
got prayer? I'm working on it.
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #27
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Psalm 17:6
Core Value: Prayer
One of the most successful marketing campaigns in recent years was the “got milk?” question that confronted us via billboards, magazines, and television commercials. Using a celebrity with a mustache of milk, the intention of the marketing company was to make sure that milk stayed on the forefront of our mind. It worked. Jeff Manning, the creative genius behind “got milk?”, wanted to boost a struggling milk industry in California. The campaign not only turned around slumping milk sales, but it changed the face of consumer marketing forever.
In some ways, many of us need to ask the question, “got prayer?” We know it is good for us. When we have tasted it, we usually desire more. We know it is good for us and we like the taste of it and the benefit it brings, but why is it that consistent, meaningful prayer is such a challenge for the disciple? Maybe we have a hard time believing that God really does listen to us, even in the ordinary affairs of life. Richard Foster expounds upon this when he writes,
“To believe that God can reach us and bless us in the ordinary junctures of daily life is the stuff of prayer. But we want to throw this away, so hard is it for us to believe that God would enter our space. . . . the only place God can bless us is right where we are, because that is the only place we are!” (Prayer, Pg. 11)
It is time for a fresh “campaign” for “got prayer?” It is a campaign that reminds each one of us that even though our prayer lives might be in a slump, all it takes is a belief that prayer not only works, but it works well. Why does it work well? Prayer is personal. Prayer is expectant. Prayer is specific. In other words, God wants to enter our space. Will we let him in?
Principle #27 & Personal Application: The quality disciple of Jesus Christ cries out in prayer to a God who will not only listen but also answer.
• The prayer of a disciple of Jesus Christ is a personal one: “I have called upon You.”
• The prayer of a disciple of Jesus Christ is an expectant one: “For You will answer me, O God.”
• The prayer of a disciple of Jesus Christ is a specific one: “Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
How can I ensure that my prayer life will be driven by my relationship with the Lord and not fall into a meaningless routine of activity?
When I talk to God in prayer, how can I be certain that I am hearing His voice?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is by faith, and faith alone, that I can cry out to You in prayer. I cannot “see” You, but I can sense Your presence. I cannot “touch” You, but I feel Your comforting arms around me. I cannot “hear” an audible voice, but I know the voice of the Shepherd in my heart. What a joy it is for me to know that when I do pray to You, You will answer me. Thank You O God for inclining Your ear to me and hearing my heart—for hearing the words that are spoken out loud and for hearing the words that remain hidden in my heart.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2010 All rights reserved.
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