An Encouraging Word (w/Retreat Link)
Did you ever wonder why the disciples, who were devout Jews, asked Jesus, "teach us to pray?" By custom, they were "taught" many Jewish prayers from their youth. Traditionally, they had prayer at sunrise, nightfall, before and after each meal, at Sabbath, Passover and during worship. The disciples already had a very full prayer life!
But when they saw and heard Jesus pray, there was something very different! In contrast, their prayers must've seemed robotic and powerless, maybe even disingenuous.
What made the difference? Jesus began to teach them how to pray that would change everything. He told them to address God as "Our Father."
This truth would not only change their concept of God but their relationship to Him! What a difference that truth makes in how we pray! And our expectation when we pray–Father! Whatever your need, your cares, your sorrow, it is personal to Him!
"Or what man is there among you who, if his son asked for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9-11)
'How much more our Father,' who is without sin and has no selfish motives! It's been said that Parents are often foolishly fond, but God is all wise, He knows what we need, what we desire and what is fit for us.
The Eternal, Sovereign, Majestic God of the universe wants to be intimate with us! He longs to love, refresh and encourage us and delights to be involved with His children, and prayer is His invitation to "come" boldly, with confidence to a loving Father!
Think of the word "Father," it not only speaks of relationship but responsibility! You are His responsibility! Wow! May you pray to your Father with the heart of a child, sincerely, frankly with confidence. He desires a close personal relationship and prayer is the institution He gave to achieve it.
Prayer is simply conversation with God, and initiated by God! It's been said the first prayer of the Bible is in Genesis 3 after Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and "hid themselves." The Lord God called Adam and said, "Where are you?"
God, the Father initiated prayer when Adam and Eve fell miserably!
"Now, the most remarkable thing about this incident, is that the initiative for beginning this prayer starts with God. It is the Lord who comes into the garden. It is the Lord who calls out for man. Prayer, therefore, begins with God. Man is never more compassionate than God."
Whatever major fail we may have had, the Father pursues us to bring us back into fellowship with Himself. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
"Where are you?" Come to the Father, confess your sins, give Him your sorrows, tell Him your troubles! And be restored to life! Your troubles cast at His feet! Your sorrows comforted by His presence! Your sins forgiven!
Chuck Smith writes, "Prayer is the deciding factor and that's why Satan fights it so hard. Satan knows that prayer spells his defeat and brings you victory. That's why he concentrates all his efforts against prayer. He'll do all he can to upset your prayer time, and keep you from praying."
The more prayerlessness we have the more disconnected we become to the Father!
Oh what power, what deliverance, what peace, what joy, what fullness we often forfeit all because we fail to PRAY! AND PRAY! AND PRAY! Someone said that communication in battle is often the difference between victory and defeat.
When the disciples said, "teach us to pray," I believe Jesus was teaching us how needy we are and how much our joy and peace and victory depends on our relationship to "Our Father" through prayer.
He is the supplier of all our needs! He is the giver and we are the recipients! PRAYER is simply the expression of human need to AN EAGER FATHER.
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
Prayer––Thank You Father for giving us access into Your presence for it came at the high price of the blood of Your Son! Forgive us when we take it for granted, make little of it, think it pointless or fail to recognize and acknowledge You in everything. There would be no us without You. Thank You for the breath of our lives and for the salvation of our souls and the precious gift of Your healing forgiveness and transforming love. In Jesus name Amen
P.S. If you missed the retreat last month or want to listen to the messages again, or watch the skit! Click the link below!
http://women.ccob.org/events.aspx#retreat
Prayerfully,
Tina DiGangi on behalf of the Women's Ministry