Prayer

Two or Three

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Yesterday when I got home from the store I discovered three doves by our front door. They reminded me of the scripture of two or three gathering in Jesus name. They were so peacefully hanging out that I hated to disturb them by getting out of the car. Of course Jesus isn’t surprised by finding us together because He knows all things, but I get the sense that He delights in finding us praying together. Can’t you picture Jesus quietly tiptoeing in so as not to scare us away?

This coming weekend I would love to have some of you to pray for a small prayer gathering at a fountain in a senior village by a long term care facility. As some of you know our nursing home ministry has been limited to sending videos, cards and flowers since March. But wonder of wonders I was invited to play some hymns for this outdoor meeting on Saturday. Some of the folks from our home group are coming and we are excited to see this small beginning. I hope everyone is having a good week. God bless and I hope to be back with a great report on Saturday. Blessings all!

Our Helper In Prayer

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

The Spirit of God not only maintains this hope within us, but helps us in our present limitations. For example, we do not know how to pray worthily as sons of God, but his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing longings which never find words. And God who knows the heart’s secrets understands, of course, the Spirit’s intention as he prays for those who love God. Romans 8:26-27 Philipps Version

Last week we looked at being able to pray with confidence because Jesus taught us and encouraged us to come. This morning we are looking at how we can have confidence because Jesus went far beyond simply instructing and commanding us to pray. He does more than stand by and listen to our requests. The Bible tells us that at those times (For me often) when we don’t know how to pray, that He sends His Spirit as our Helper to give us hope, direction and understanding in prayer. In fact, God knows us so well that He and provides both daily bread, and the ability to realize when we need it. He pours out both mercy as well as the spirit repentance leading us to cry out for it. He is not only able to protect us from the devil, but He also puts into our hearts the hope that when we run to Him, He will be our helper and fortress in battle. This week’s video features these three classics about prayer: Sweet Hour of Prayer – Garden of Prayer and Let Us Have a Little Talk With Jesus. What a wonderful God and an amazing Savior we serve. He alone is worthy of our praise and is waiting to have a little talk with us today!

The God of Every Day Prayers

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9‭-‬10‭, ‬12‭-‬13 ESV

Forgive us our debts, give us our food and lead us not into temptation are things Jesus taught us to pray every day. I don’t know about you but for me having to constantly ask for God’s help in these areas makes me feel frustrated and weak. But God is not at all frustrated or angry when we sincerely pray. Instead He taught us to pray these things because He is a God who is ready to forgive us every morning, delights in providing for us every day and who knows we need His protection on our journey!