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christian prayer

How To Pray And See Results

by Sarah Crockett December 31, 2024

written by Sarah Crockett

As believers we are commanded throughout the Bible to pray. Jesus teaches us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, ““This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.'”

Have you ever gone to pray and not known what to pray? Maybe you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling? Jesus wouldn’t command us to do something He hasn’t equipped us to do. He wants to partner with you and I to see His “Kindgom come” and “will be done” (Matthew 6:10).

Three keys for seeing results in prayer

Pray like Jesus

Jesus was fully God and fully man. God sent Him to the earth to show us how to live a naturally, supernatural life. He restricted Himself as God and lived His life as a man in partnership with the Holy Spirit. Jesus prayers were powerful and effective…and short,Matthew 8:3 – Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Matthew 9:22 – Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

Mark 5:8 – For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

When Jesus prayed He command the situation and circumstances to change. He spoke to the leper’s hand and told the storm how to behave. Let’s stop praying half-hearted prayers hoping and begging God to answer. It’s time to pray like Jesus prayed in faith and speak to things. We are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)!

Take risks

Peter didn’t walk on water by staying in the boat. Paul didn’t see demon possessed people healed by sitting on the sidelines. As believers, we have to get into the game and take the risks. It’s the only way we will see Heaven come to earth. Start trying the things you read in the bible. Speak to sickness in the name of Jesus and see if it leaves. You’ll never know unless you try!

Remember, you are a hose

A hose is vessel in which water flows. Hoses are only effective at transporting water if they are connected to a water source. Our spiritual lives are the same. We are vessels of the power and presence of God. As we connect to Him as our source His life flows through us to nourish.

The hose is not the source of life, the water is. A believer is not the source of life, the resurrection power of Jesus Christ is. Both just happen to flow through the vessel.

What are you going to do?

Maybe you’re prayers haven’t worked in the past, but armed with these three keys I challenge you to try again!

The results are up to Him. Your responsibility is simply to pray like Jesus, keep take risks, and be a vessel for His resurrection power to flow through!

December 31, 2024 0 comments

California School District Is Pressured To “End The Prayers In Board Meetings”

by Le-Jovale Vallejo February 2, 2023

written by Le-Jovale Vallejo

Calls are being made for a California school district to end the prayers before each board meeting.

End the Prayers

The Board of Trustees for the Gateway Unified School District (GUSD) decided to start each meeting with prayer last month. Cherrill Clifford, a trustee, made the move, which was ultimately approved by a 3-2 vote. But some parents quickly voiced their objections.

“This is a public meeting,” one parent called out. “Separation of church and state.”

In an effort to “defend the constitutional rights of students and parents,” one group is now calling for the practice to end immediately. That is the FFRF, or the Freedom from Religion Foundation. It’s a national organization that represents non-theists, agnostics, and atheists who fights to preserve the Establishment Clause.

FFRF argues that even while local law permits prayer at other council meetings, GUSD is taking on “unnecessary liability.” And by implementing the practice, it welcomes “possible financial pressure.”

Prayers in Board Meetings

“Board members are free to pray privately or to worship on their own time in their own way,” FFRF said. “However, the Board ought not to lend its power and prestige to religion or coerce attendees into participating in religious exercise.”

Gateway Unified School District [@Shasta Scout]. YouTube, 19 January 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBBCZtuj_M

FFRF is asking GUSD to respond in writing with its proposal to “resolve” the issue. They said that GUSD is directly violating the constitutional rights of any kids involved at board meetings, as well as the “almost one in three Americans who now identify as religiously unaffiliated.”

GUSD was contacted by The National Desk (TND) for comment, but a district spokesman claimed the district will not be commenting on the situation.

Despite this being a developing discussion, the meeting started with a prayer.

The prayer is then led by Trustee Lindsi Haynes, who can be heard declaring that the meeting time will be “committed” to “God.”

“We all here, Lord, I believe want what’s best for the kids. And so, God, I just pray that you would help us to move forward from this moment, God, that that would be at the forefront of all of our minds,” Haynes said. “The board, the superintendent, the staff, the parents, the grandparents, the community that, that would be our goal. In Jesus’s name, amen.”

While some parents seemed surprised by the recitation, others nodded and joined the board in saying “amen.”

GUSDPrayer-1.18.23

Watch this video on YouTube

Header image: Gateway Unified School District [@Shasta Scout]. YouTube, 19 January 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBBCZtuj_M

Reference: ABC 3340 News

February 2, 2023 0 comments

Articles

The Bridal Paradigm: The Bride In Union With The Bridegroom

by Jordan Wells March 3, 2021

written by Jordan Wells

One of the greatest revelations I received over the years was the revelation that I am married to Christ. A year ago I had this powerful encounter in the presence of God that marked me forever. That brought me into a revelation of Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as the bride. We know this of course theologically, but I believe this revelation must go down deep in our spirits in this hour. The Lord is preparing His bride in these last days in white garments of intimacy and pure devotion to Jesus. Scripture teaches us that Jesus is coming back soon for a madly in love church that has made herself ready.

Revelation 19:7 NKJV says, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

The Remnant Bride

This bridal remnant formed in the fire of His presence has been marked by the reality of love for Jesus. They no longer see anything but Him. They have tried everything else but know He is everything they need and desire. This is where the Lord has brought me in my personal walk with him. I believe this revelation is coming back to the church in the coming years in a real way. The Lord is awakening the bride to a deep love and union with Him. It will cause us to see revival in our ministries, regions, and churches. This bride will be marked by the fear of the Lord like never before and a love for Jesus and time in his presence.

We find this revelation of God wanting to marry a people throughout the Old and New Testament. Israel was married to God as well.

Isaiah 54:5 ESV

For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.

Hosea 2:19 ESV

And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.

This is why God continually dealt with Israel as He did. They were His beloved bride that at times broke His heart. So He lovingly corrected and disciplined them. We as the church have now been brought into the same type of marriage with Jesus as Israel was in the Old Testament. This is our primary identity as the body and it’s very important that this revelation is restored to the church in a real way.

John 3:29 ESV

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

This revelation deeply transforms us into the very image of Christ. To understand that Jesus is our husband, which means just as in a real marriage or relationship. The Bible says that the two become one. We have become one with Him the Lord in spirit. This means we have to daily approach our relationship with Him differently. He desires as in a real marriage all of our love and affection. He desires a deep intimate relationship with His church. One in which we are led by His Glory and presence. I believe the true bride is arising that will be marked by miracles, signs, and wonders because they have seen their master as he is in beauty and splendor. They will be marked by the tangible anointing of the spirit.

This entire narrative culminates in the church and Jesus eternally joining one to another. The book of Revelation is not the revelation of the end times but a revelation of Jesus and the bride. We see this throughout the book, which culminates with these beautiful last words.

Revelation 22:17 ESV

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

This is a picture of the end-time church that is so beautiful. In this verse we see a unified church clothed in a revelation of their identity in Christ. We see a church that is in love with Jesus and is in a posture with the spirit of prayer. The end-time church is first and foremost a praying church. She will usher in the harvest through her tears in the prayer room.

The church in the last days will be a house of prayer. A house where the manifest presence of Jesus lives and abides. A married people madly in love with the bridegroom. They are willing to sacrifice all for Him. This is where I feel God is bringing His church. I pray that this revelation marks you. That you are the Lord’s and He loves you with a love you could never dream or imagine. He wants to be intimate with you and for you to walk with Him in a greater measure of His presence today.

___

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March 3, 2021 0 comments

Faith

Share A Prayer Message: They’re Powerful, Effective And Relevant

by GOD TV May 8, 2019

written by GOD TV

God uses many methods to speak to those He loves. As times change and technology advances, we now have much more than the printed Word of God. In the days of the Bible, a prayer message was delivered in the form of a prophecy or from the mouth of an angel.

One of the greatest of these was from Gabriel to Mary, giving her the news that she was going to give birth to the Savior. Yet another glorious message was delivered to several tired shepherds tending their sheep on that very night of Jesus’ birth. That was the ultimate prayer message of hope and encouragement.

What is a prayer message?

Prophecies and angelic hosts in Heaven have been replaced by preachers from pulpits and social media posts. You see these words of encouragement as you scroll your news feed if you follow anyone with a Christian voice. A prayer message can be delivered through scripture verses, a famous quote, or a testimony from a friend. You may also know these as memes – text overlaid on a photo of scenery, a person, or a concept that is in correlation to what the quote is about.

These memes can serve as a humorous quip, to illustrate a viewpoint, or they can be used to minister to others through scripture or encouraging words.

How a prayer message can be used effectively

God directs us through our daily devotion time. He:

Enlightens us to things we need to know. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Reminds us of things we may have forgotten. “He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.” (Psalm 111:4)

Gives us the opportunity to share these truths with others. “And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Philemon 6:6)

One way we can spread God’s love is through a social media post. There are four things an effective prayer message conveys.

Stating Truth – They must be truthful, which means that it must be based on Biblical truth. Giving someone a message without scriptural backing is like handing them an empty glass of water when they are thirsty. We must remember that truth may not always be comfortable, but as we learn in John 8, the truth of Christ imparts freedom.

Giving Hope – Someone who is hurting needs light to shine in their darkness, not a Bible thumped on the back of the head. Yes, the truth can sometimes hurt, but we don’t need to shove the Word down people’s throats. The gentle reminder that someone is there and that they are going to get past their current struggle can brighten their day, maybe even get them past what they are dealing with.

Encouraging – Doubt is a big struggle many face. As Gary Chapman talks about in his The Five Love Languages book, Words of Affirmation is one of the love languages. Some people react strongly to encouraging words. This goes beyond “great job,” or a worn-out cliché like, “If you set your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” While it sounds good, we must remember a prayer message must be Biblically based. An encouraging word can affirm someone’s decision or boost their confidence in themselves through a Christ-centered truth.

Challenging – Another great prayer message spurs someone to act. It is more than words that give you the warm fuzzies. Encouragement, yes, but like James 2:17 teaches us, “faith without works is dead.” You can bestow scriptural knowledge, but without the call to action, they are just words. A challenge gives the reader the courage to get out of their chair and do something.

Final thoughts

A prayer message is delivered to shine a light into a friend’s day. It lets them know you are thinking and praying for them. It gives them the assurance they are not alone. While a phone call or a handwritten letter gives a personal touch to your concern, these quick notes are a reminder in the midst of their hectic day that they are loved.

It is true that there can be an overabundance of these messages in your news feed. So much so that we scroll right through them. As we began, God speaks to His children through many venues. That post you just scrolled past could be the very one that speaks to your heart, ignites your soul or gives you the answer you may be searching for. So, after your next page refresh, take the time to read each one. The next prayer message may be for you.

The post was written by Jeff S Bray

May 8, 2019 0 comments

Discover the power of intercessory prayer on GOD TV.

Faith

What Is Intercessory Prayer? Discover the Power of Intercession!

by GOD TV April 23, 2019

written by GOD TV

Have you ever prayed on behalf of another person? If so, you have been in the role of mediator or intercessor. Intercessory prayer is simply the act of praying on behalf of another person when for some reason, they can’t pray for themselves.

In the Bible, the Greek noun, enteuxus, is the word for intercession and denotes a conversation or petition rendered on the behalf of others. When you offer an intercessory prayer, you are seeking an audience with God in another’s stead. When we pray for the needs of others that is called intercession. We are said to be interceding for them.

All Christian prayer is in a sense intercession because it is offered to God through Christ. The New Testament considers Christ to be the ultimate intercessor because when He died for us on the Cross, He connected us to God. His act allows us, his followers, to intercede in prayer on behalf of other Christians or to ask God to grant their requests according to His will; even those who are non-believers or lost.

Intercessory prayer is something that all Christians are fully capable of. There are no special requirements. You don’t have to be more devout or in any way superior to any other Christian to intercede for another person in need. If you are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit in your heart and that is all you need to follow in Christ’s footsteps and be a strong and powerful intercessor. To not do so would be considered a sin.

It is both your privilege and your duty to help those in need especially when they cannot help themselves. The Bible says that all Christians are called to be intercessors and just as Christ intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will, we must intercede for each another on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Intercessory prayer is a big part of Christian life for all true believers. Nowhere in any version of the Bible does it indicate that prayer intercession is the right of only a certain group of people. People who seek or need others to intercede for them can use all the help they can get.

The idea that intercession is the privilege and calling of only some Christians is without Biblical basis. That kind of thinking can lead to misplaced pride and a false sense of superiority.

God calls all Christians to be intercessors. Haven’t you ever felt the unexplained desire to pray for the masses, for strangers in need, your community or the world in fact? Think of the times you pray for soldiers fighting for our freedom, the poor, even a person you see on social media who is asking for prayer for a sick loved one or themselves. That is intercessory prayer and it is a very needed intercession.

When you pray for others on their behalf, you lift up the people in your neighborhood, your city, your church. You can inspire the people in your life to pray with you and by doing so it will deepen their love for you and for the people around them.

Pray for your civic leaders so they might serve your community better.
Pray for parents so that they might have the strength to be good role models their children.
Pray that the people of the world will learn to love and forgive each other and help them make a difference in the world.
Pray for teachers and for students that they might exercise integrity and work for justice, morality, and freedom.
Pray for the lost, the hurting, the lonely, the sick, the bereaved.
Pray for those who are without hope.

Intercessory prayer helps us to internalize God’s Word.

Intercessory prayer connects us to the people and places we pray for.

Intercessory prayer renews our hope and our faith.

Intercessory prayer humbles us.

Intercessory prayer changes the spiritual atmosphere of cities and nations.

Intercessory prayer causes multiple blessings to return to the intercessor.

Yes, blessings will come back to you when you intercede to pray on behalf of other people. This is not a reason to do so but a residual of your good works. Prayer for others may encourage them to repent and seek God. The Lord is always looking for those who will take on the burden and the challenge of praying for the wayward ones, the lost souls, so that they might come to Him.

If you are willing to become an intercessor, you will know how to obtain many victories. Intercessory prayer is essentially an outreach ministry. Through it, we can truly lay down our lives for others. If we are faithful and willing to sacrifice our time on behalf of others in need, the Lord, in turn, will take care of our needs. As we minister to others, the Lord ministers to us.

This post was written by Tony Williams.

April 23, 2019 3 comments