Prayer

PRAYER
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 7:10pm Edit Note Delete
So many times I am frustrated by people's casual almost flip attitude about prayer and the power of God. There is nothing I can do to ever change someone's heart. Only God can do that. The heart is the source of actions both good and bad. God sees our hearts more than our actions. We look at the outside but God sees the heart and judges at heart level not action level. As I watch and hear of my children's struggles all I can do is pray. Someone told me the other day (essentially) that prayer is fine but we need to do something. I agree to a point. Prayer is not just "fine" prayer is heart to heart communication with my Creator. Prayer makes me available to God. Prayer allows Him to direct my steps and show me the best way to help. Prayer allows me to ask God for wisdom and understanding so that when the time comes to take action I know what action to take that will be the most effective and in no way hinder the will and purpose of God in my children's (or anyone's) life. Prayer acknowledges that I am in constant need of God's presence and power in my life. Prayer acknowledges that apart from God I have not, am not and can not do anything. Well, I can but I should be prepared for confusion and many falls if I attempt to do it without God. Prayer is more than fine, prayer is all. Prayer is everything. Prayer leads to action but purposeful action with eternal consequences. Only God can break bondages and set at liberty those who are held captive by the enemy. (Isaiah 61:1) Prayer with the word of God leads to effective life changing prayer. Not just words, but God's Words! He says in Isaiah 55:8-11; "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

Forgiveness

In Matthew 18 when Jesus told Peter he should forgive 70 X 7, it was a figure of speech. His point was to always be willing to forgive, no matter the offense and no matter how often. If you consider that Jesus paid a debt that was so big we still can't comprehend it, then you will know that you can forgive a hundred times a day for the rest of your life and not even come close to what's been forgiven you by Christ's death. Forgiveness isn't always easy but all it takes is a willing heart. If you are willing and confess to God that you're willing to forgive and that you want to, He'll do the work and you'll find that you've forgiven. You won't think about the offense or the offender all the time and pretty soon you'll think "hey, I forgot about that" and when you do remember there will be no sting or pain in the memory. That's what God does. We just have to be willing. He is God. He is eternal. He is Mercy. He is Grace.