Sweet Hour of Prayer

God is Listening!

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments 
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 
“Father, I thank you that you have heard me. John 11:41 NIV

Notice how Jesus teaches us to pray, by praying, and His prayer begins by publicly thanking the Father that He was listening. “Listening to what?” we might ask. The answer must be, that Jesus had already taken time privately to pray and learn exactly what was the Father’s will about Lazarus.

Jesus reminds us that no book, no class, or sermon can replace our own private hour of prayer. That is the only place that we can find the peace and confidence to act or speak for Jesus. Then Jesus shows us that even knowing that his prayers were heard was not enough. Before doing anything else, He first gave thanks to His Father. Jesus models for us His own gratitude that His Father had taken the time to listen to His prayer. Only after that does Jesus confidently call Lazarus back from the grave. The public power Jesus had to say, Lazarus come forth!” came from His unseen hours of prayer. So today, before complaining to God about our situation or trying to command for things to be different, let’s be like Jesus and learn the timing and details of our Father’s will, and then thank Him in advance for listening. What could be more amazing than that the Creator of the universe would take time to listen to us, even weep with us and then in His perfect timing send His answer to our prayers?

Thank you Jesus for taking time to do more than miracles. 
Thank you for teaching us to pray. Amen!

Alone With Jesus

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

And after six days Jesus took with Him, Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them. Mark 9:2 ESV

One of my favorite hymns begins with the line, “I come to the garden alone.” I often think of those words as I go on my morning walks and as I sit to read the Bible with my first cup of coffee. Today’s verse might make you think you need to go up a mountain, to please God. But what Jesus was really asking, was for Peter, James, and John to be alone, with Him, so they could hear the Father’s voice. That makes me wonder when the last time was that my heart was quiet enough to hear HIs voice. God does not always lead us up mountains. Sometimes our path leads through the valley of the shadow of death, or the garden of Gethsemane, but wherever we find ourselves today, what is most important is to listen to Him there.

Because what matters is not just being alone – what counts is being alone with Jesus. Even if we began today so busy that we did not hear His voice, He still offers us an invitation come and be alone with Him. Whether sitting in a garden, climbing a mountain, or carrying a cross, when we walk with Him and talk with Him, He shares a joy with us that no one else has known. Listen for His voice. Today, He wants to be alone with you!

Hour of Prayer

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Sometimes in a crisis, like those in the psalm, we “cry out to the Lord in our trouble.” and God hears and answers. But far more often, we must watch and pray,” in hours of prayer. Though to our flesh, those times do not feel sweet. Instead of sweet they seem long, unproductive and difficult. But just as apples do not ripen to their sweetest till the fall frost, so our prayers strike closest to the heart of God when we tarry in His presence. I hope you will be encouraged and inspired to set aside such time today and tarry with your Savior in that hour of prayer.