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The Priority of Prayer
This past year our church had a special week of prayer. It was a chance for us to humble ourselves, acknowledge our need for God's help in every aspect of life and call out to him as a church family. Throughout the week we also had a special prayer room where people could dedicate an hour to prayer. The room contained seven "prayer points" that guided people to prepare their hearts, pray for the advance of the gospel around the world, to pray for our church, etc.
What you see pictured above is the "prayer wall" in the room that allowed people to post the names of unsaved friends. It was very moving to see all the names on the wall listing neighbors, brothers, mothers, husbands, co-workers.
I share this as an encouragement to pursue God in prayer. So often we carry our burdens, worry about the future and desire to see God act on our behalf, and yet we neglect to pray. If you're looking for some encouragement and provocation in the area of prayer we did a sermon series at our church called Praying the Savior's Way based on the Lord's prayer. You can download all the sermons for free or listen online.
Here's a great quote on prayer:
"The Muslims have some ninety-nine different names for God. Creator, Enricher, Watcher, Avenger--these different names will feature in a Muslim's prayer. Not one of them is 'Father'. But it would be impossible for a Christian to compile a list of even two or three names for God, without 'Father' being one of them. It is the name by which we know him best.
The implications of this for the prayer life are enormous. The person who, through faith in Christ, has entered "the family" of God no longer regards prayer as a means of twisting the arm of a reluctant deity, of squeezing favours out of a distant and all-powerful benefactor. As one of the old Bible commentators puts it, "What a distance between us in our helplessness and God in his glory, but 'Father' reaches all the way!'"
--Richard Bewes, Talking About Prayer
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- The Authority of Scripture
Mark Dever on the Word of God at New Attitude 2008
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Joel Harris on Worship: My brother Joel, who leads worship for the Rebelution conference, has written an article entitled "We Must Be Constant Worshipers."
Atheism Remix: The contemporary strain of atheism--the New Atheism--is more popular and widely accepted than previous strains. Dr. Al Mohler's newest book provides a Christian response to New Atheism's four leading thinkers: Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. You can learn more at a promotional site for the book.
Mahaney on Humor: Humor is a gift from God. When humbly and wisely used, it is a means of transferring truth and generating joy. This message by C.J. Mahaney addresses how we can use humor to build others up and honor God. It's worth a listen.
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Comments (4)
DATE: 10:20 PM
One of the things I am often convicted about is how I don't pray as much as I should. Because of the righteousness of Christ and His perfect sacrifice that tore the veil from top to bottom, I am allowed to enter into the presence of the Holy of Holies. I am allowed to call the Almighty who created Heaven and Earth my Father. I am allowed to enter into the throneroom of the most high King who rules over all creation and reigns supreme. I have the privilege of knowing someone who loves me beyond measure, is all powerful and eternally wise, but yet I don't take advantage of the opportunity I have to commune with Him as often as I ought.
Posted by Lew | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 12:40 PM
since being involved in a house of prayer here in portland it's been amazing to take part in local and international prayer rooms that run 24 hours, 48 hours or even for 24-hour prayer weeks. the prayer rooms i've been involved with have art stations where people can express prayers in paint or poem while others are praying in more traditional ways. especially when we do 24-7 prayer weeks, it's amazing to see the walls filling with art-prayers for their loved ones and their community. it's always incredible how encouraged people become in their private prayer lives after these things. at the beginning you can't immagine how 189 one-hour time slots are going to be filled, but at the end of the week we always find that God has done the drawing and all the slots were somehow filled.
Posted by Sheena | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 7:58 PM
(oops...can't add! 24x7 is 168. what can i say, i'm an artist)
Posted by Sheena | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 2:02 PM
Love the idea of the prayer wall for the lost! Do you put the name of lost people who are attending your church on the list? Some of the people we are praying for attend our church, some of whom don't yet see themselves as lost. As a smaller church (about 115 in attendence) it's very likely they would see their names on this list...On the one hand it might make them think...on the other hand I don't want to drive them away before we have the chance to talk... Your opinion?
Posted by Pastor Brett | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM