Prayers please ...

 

PRAY MORE

PRAY BETTER 

Just before He was arrested, Jesus prayed for His disciples. Then He prayed for us – yes, you and me. He said:

“I pray not only for them, (the disciples), but also for those who believe in me because of their message. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.” John 17: 20-21.

Does anyone think that they pray too much? That perhaps they are giving God a headache? That with over 7 billion peoples on earth yours seem to be the most prayers in His in-tray to deal with? That He is spending 99% of His time listening to you rather than the other people on earth? That perhaps you should let up a bit and pray less?

God never gets tired of hearing our prayers. Whether they are one's we have learnt like the Lord's Prayer, or just conversations and lists of demands or requests, God is always listening. He likes to hear from us; just like any good parent likes to hear from their children and how they are doing in life. He knows how we're doing, of course; but He likes to hear from us as well.

He also likes to hear us praying for others. Prayers are the greatest gifts we can give each other. It shows generosity of spirit, it shows caring, and it shows love on our part for someone else.

When someone is talking with you about their health, works problems, marital difficulties or whatever else; just say a silent prayer. Without them knowing about it. Hand their situation to God and trust Him to deal with it in His way and time.

When you see on TV a politician, especially one you disagree with, pray for them. Pray that they may find God in their lives and follow Christ's way, truth and light. Also, when you see celebrities on TV deriding and mocking Christianity and promoting a secular way of life; pray for them too that they may experience the love of Christ. 

God sends many opportunities in our lives to pray for one another. Whether it is for a relative, a friend, acquaintance or someone you don't know and you see on TV or social media; let us pray for them and their situations. A prayer un-said is an opportunity missed. How do you think God feels about that?

The world is in turmoil right now. Whether on an individual basis, as a family, a nation or globally. There are many needs for prayers.

SUGGESTION: Every day, ask God to send you someone you can help. I did. He took me seriously and now I am inundated with people needing my help. 

PRAY MORE

PRAY BETTER 

Good works

 

"My brothers and sisters, what good is it for people to say that they have faith if their actions do not prove it? Can that faith save them? Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!” — if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead." James 2:14-17.  

Let's get one common misconception cleared. Doing good works will NOT get you into Heaven.

God does not demand good works and good deeds in order to get into Heaven. He does not demand that we give more in the collection plate on Sundays, or continuous repetitive prayers like the Rosary, or lighting candles beside statues and laying flowers. He is not diminished in any sense if we do not do these things. He is not found wanting or weakened if we withhold these good deeds. 

But we should do them all the same. We do good deeds to honour God, to show Him respect and love, and because He commanded us to love one another.

We don't do good deeds as a down-payment to entering Heaven. God cannot be bought.

We don't do good deeds in exchange for favours and answers to our prayers. God does not bargain with us.

We do good deeds because He asked us to.

When Jesus walked this earth He performed many miracles. Every miracles He performed was for the benefit of someone else. It was not to show off His power, omnipotence or superiority. It was so that God, His Father and ours, is glorified. 

And God raised Him from the dead so that Jesus is glorified and to prove He is the Son of God.

That's what the miracles were about.

Let our good deeds be our own, small, miracles to one another. Just as He commanded.

Answered Prayers

 

I was praying the other day and God spoke to me.

He said, "There are over 8 billion people in the world and I seem to be spending 90% of my time dealing with your prayers!"

"Oh ..." I said, not knowing whether this was a good thing or whether He was perhaps hinting something. He soon made it clear.

"Lighten up!" He continued, "it's good that you pray for so many people but is it necessary every time to mention each one by name? I know who they are; I don't need to know their Zip Code!

"Why not group your people as appropriate? Like family, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, Blog readers and contributors, and so on? This way you'll save yourself and Me a lot of time?"

"But ..." I hesitated, "they all have so many different needs!"

"And don't you think I know that?" He asked.

I'll admit He had a point. I wanted to say, "Touché" but I thought it would be impertinent so I kept quiet.

"Praying for others is good and commendable," He said to encourage me, "prayers are the best gifts people can receive and give to each other. They show a generous spirit and that we love and care for each other. As Jesus taught. But let's not go over the top. You can pray for other people any time when they come to mind. You think of a person, or you meet someone, and you know they need me in their lives; then just say a few words silently. Nothing much, just a word or two. Without them knowing about it. I'll be listening and will act on your prayers in my way and in good time."

I suddenly realised that I had been distracted in my prayers. So I continued. "Where was I? ... Oh ... Aunt Edna, Uncle Barnabas, Aunt Philomena and Uncle Jehoshaphat and their children ... now what are their names?"

Praying for others

 

Prayer is the greatest gift we can give to, or receive from, others.

When we pray for others we are in effect putting in a good word for them with God. We are interceding, or mediating, or pleading on their behalf. We are asking God to help them in their current difficulties.

This shows a generosity of spirit in us; it also shows our Faith, since we would not be praying if we did not believe that there is Someone listening and ready to answer our pleas.

Often, we are the answer to someone's prayers, without us realising it.

It could be in the supermarket, the street, Bible Class, in church or anywhere else. We just happen to be there and meet someone in need, in despair, afraid, worried or in some distress; and we are in a position to help. God put us there in answer to that person's prayer. How we react is up to us.

When I visit your Blogs, to me you are more than names on websites. Each individual is leading their life with your own hopes, aspirations and wishes for you and your loved ones. And I take the opportunity to pray for each one of you and yours.

I hope you do the same when you visit me here. Thank you.

God bless.

Our innermost secrets

Let's be honest folks ... let's be honest with ourselves. You don't have to tell me anything either in the comments box below or by e-mail in the "Contact Us" tab above. Not unless you want to.

This is just between you and your conscience. It's about your relationship and your communication with God. Sure ... you pray. Many people do. It may be a quick recitation of a prayer we've learnt or a quick request for a favour or two ... and sometimes, less often, we may thank Him for things that turned out well in our lives.

What I'm suggesting we focus on is our sharing with God. Do we share with Him our innermost thoughts, our innermost secrets, fears, worries and desires?

There is nothing that we need that He does not already know about. There is nothing that we might ask Him or pray about that He has not heard about before. He will not be shocked or scandalised by what we ask. But He likes to hear from us all the same.

We should not just run to God in prayer when we are faced with big problems, with seemingly insurmountable situations and when we are really in a panic. Sure we pray to Him then, but also we should pray to Him about the small matters in our lives. Nothing is too big or too small for His attention. We should not keep the small problems to ourselves in the hope that we will resolve them ourselves, or that they'll go away, or that the doctor will find a cure, or this or that excuse not to bring them to God in prayer. 

God wants to hear about all our problems and worries before they become big and we are open to temptations from the evil one. Often people worry about things by themselves and torment themselves about something until it cripples their very thoughts. Let us bring our thoughts to God. Let us share our innermost fears and concerns as if we are sharing with a friend. He is more than a friend. He is our Creator who loves us and cares for us.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.

What to ask for ...

We sometimes pray for other people. Our spouse, children, grand-children, other relatives and friends. We pray for good health, a happy life, a good job and marriage, and many other good things we wish for the people we love.

But then ... God knows the needs of these people. It is good that we pray for them. It shows a generosity of spirit on our part and a love for others.

Would it not be far better to pray for something that is also God's wish for these people?

This way our prayers and God's wish would be in tune; and it would be perhaps more likely that our prayers may be answered.

God's wish is that everyone of us should get to know and experience His love. But He has given us free will. It is our choice whether we respond to His love or not. To experience it or not.

So let us pray that everyone we love and care for should get to know the Lord and to experience His love.

Some may have gone astray, like the lost sheep. Others perhaps not. But our prayers that they may focus their lives on the Lord our Saviour would be the greatest gift we could possibly give them.

I thank you, dear friends and readers, as you gather with your families to celebrate Thanksgiving, for all the support and encouragement you have given me.

May God be with you always and bless you and your loved ones.

Is God Superman?

Let us consider for a moment our relationship with God. Let's start with our prayer life.

How do we view God?

As an omnipotent, ever loving, always forgiving, spiritual heavenly Father and Creator of all things?

Or do we see Him as a Superman ever ready to fly to all crises wherever they happen in the world?

When we pray to God, is our prayer an ever ending list of requests asking Him to be with and care for a number of people we know and love? To be with sick and dying relatives, family or friends who have lost a job, or who are in some difficulty or other, the poor, the elderly, the destitute and many others in need.

There's nothing wrong with praying for others. It shows a generosity of spirit and caring on our part. Prayer is the greatest gift we can give or receive from someone.

God loves it when we pray for others. It shows Him that we are not selfish and closed to others' needs.

But is our prayer just a set of demands to an ever ready Superman willing and able to circumnavigate the globe and go to the aid of anyone we pray for?

And when we pray, is it just an exercise of bringing to mind various causes and needs; or do we really and genuinely believe there will be a response? A positive one to the prayer we have made.

Let us be honest now. Really honest with ourselves. Just between you and God. No one needs to know your answer.

When you pray, are you 100% sure that God is listening?

Are you 100% sure that He will respond positively to what you are asking for?

Or is there the slightest, tiniest, weeniest little bit of doubt in your mind about God's response?

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

What did Jesus mean when He said this?

Did He mean it?

If not, why did He say it?

Do YOU believe it?

Is it reflected in YOUR prayers?

Would you go to borrow a lawnmower or other thing from your neighbour if you knew he would say "No"?  Would you go to the bank for a loan if you thought they would turn you down? Would you ask a friend for a favour if you believed he'd refuse?

Then why treat God with suspicion? Why pray believing that He would not respond?

Imagine a different kind of prayer ...

What if you said, "God I am frightened. There are so many things I need to pray about. So many people in need of your help. The sick, the dying, the poor and so many others. I don't even know where to start!"

What do you think God would reply?

Jesus always greeted people with the words, "Peace be with you!"

What He meant was, "Relax. Calm down. All will be well. Trust Me."

If only we approached prayers with that kind of attitude. With that kind of belief. With that kind of trust. That come what may, God is listening. And in His time, and in His way, He will answer our prayers.

It is no point having Faith in a Master who walks on water if we do not trust Him enough to follow Him.

Prayers and Actions

There are times

when God

requires some action

from us.

"My brothers and sisters, what good is it for people to say that they have faith if their actions do not prove it? Can that faith save them? Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!” — if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead." James 2:14-17. 

Waiting ... Waiting ... Nothing!

Many of us often pray. Sometimes, our prayers are prayers of thanks to the Lord, but, if we're honest, more often than not we pray because we're asking God for something. We may be asking God to help us find a job, get a promotion at work, better health, a good and happy marriage or whatever else we consider to be our need, or indeed our entitlement. Yes, I repeat ... our entitlement. Because many of us believe we're entitled to things just because we consider ourselves to be good. Life really isn't like that.

Many of us pray for something and in our heart we are really saying: "Come on God! You know I love you. I go to Church every now and then, and deep inside I am really good. Why don't you let me have ... (whatever we want at the time)".

As every parent knows, when children go on and on pesterring for something or other eventually, because we love them, we may well give way and answer their demands.

In fact, Jesus reminds us of this when He mentions the widow who kept pestering the judge day in day out until eventually he gave way and gave her what she wanted. (Luke Chapter 18). In this parable Jesus teaches us not to be discouraged and to continue praying to God our Father for our needs.

But what happens when we pray and wait, and wait and nothing happens? We pray for days, months, sometimes for years for something to happen to improve our lot and God does not seem to listen or answer. We don't know why. Perhaps He is busy with more urgent and pressing demands from someone else. Perhaps our demands are not such a high priority in His ever increasing in-tray. But as far as we're concerned He is not answering; and to be quite honest, we are running out of patience.

What then? When we wait and wait and nothing happens?

Is it OK to get angry with God? To stamp our foot on the ground like a spoilt child and go into tantrums throwing our toys out of the pram in protest?

I believe it is OK to be angry with God. It will not get us very far; but it is still OK.

God can take our anger. He did after all take all our anger when hanging there on the Cross. So a bit of stamping on the ground won't hurt Him that much.

But like any loving parent He will consider our demands, and if it is good for us, He will in His time and in His way respond.

Remember that God can see not only our past but our future too, and sometimes what we're asking for is not exactly what we should have. What is good for us in the long run.

So what should we really do when our prayers are seemingly un-answered. From experience, I believe we should continue praying and have patience. And then some more patience. We really need to trust Him that He knows best. Even if trust itself is stretched to the point of disbelief, we should continue to trust Him. Through gritted teeth even. Continue to trust Him just as a child trust his parents without questioning.

Difficult? Sure it is. But not impossible. I have known people whose life and whose lot has changed from bad to worse over and again. But they never gave up. They continued to trust Him.

And that's the road to Sainthood.

Saints are sinners like you and me; but they never gave up trusting Him.

Prayers

 

People sometimes ask: Why pray? Will it change the will of God, or budge Him in any way?

As parents, we do sometimes change our minds and give way to our children’s demands, (eventually), especially when they go on and on about something that they want. Perhaps they make us see reason and we oblige them because we love them.

Are we to believe that our Father in Heaven loves us less than we love our own children? That He will not give us what we ask Him?

In Luke 18:2, Jesus tells the story of a widow who pestered a judge for so long that he eventually gave in and helped her. This parable teaches us not to be discouraged and always pray to God for our needs. Not what we want. But what we need.

Yet again, in the Lord's Prayer, we are taught to ask God our Father, and we will receive.

So then, how about praying to God? Will our prayers change His mind, or His will? Or are His plans for us already set out and no prayers will change them?

Over the years I have learnt that by praying, especially when praying for others, God does listen and sometimes our prayers are answered.

Whether He answers our prayers because we prayed, or He meant to answer them anyway (i.e. it was His will all along); is a debating point which can go on for ever - without us reaching a conclusion.

This is simply because we are not meant to understand Him, and to understand the reasoning behind His actions.

He is God. We are not.

We really should stop bringing Him down to our level by trying to understand Him with human minds.

However, the fact that we don’t understand how, when and why our prayers are sometimes answered and sometimes not is not a good reason for us to stop praying.

It is sufficient to learn from Christ, who prayed to God many times, and who encouraged us to do the same.

And when we pray we should do so in thanksgiving, in hope, and in the sure knowledge that He is listening.