praying effectively: Rejoice and Be Glad (Lk.10, 6, Mt.5)

(Luke 10:18-20)  And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

(Luke 6:22-23)  Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

(Matthew 5:11-12)  “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not rejoice over the fact that God has given us authority over (protection from) the demons (Lk.10:20)
- that we are glad when we are persecuted because we have been doing God's will and sharing the gospel message (Lk.6:22-23)
- that we are joyful because we have something greater to look forward to (Lk.6:22-23, Mt.5:11-12)
- that we rejoice over the fact that we have been saved and guaranteed eternal life in heaven (Lk.10:20)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for saving us and sealing us forever with Your Holy Spirit of promise - that once we become a child of God - nothing can separate us from You.

Help us not get prideful in having access to Your power, or thinking that that means we will never struggle with anything.  Help us humbly keep looking to You for strength, courage and confidence to do Your will... because we will go through struggles... And better that we go through persecution because we are being obedient, than going through struggles because of disobedience.

Thank You for giving us a gladness and joy while we are still here on earth which transcends anything else we could possibly experience, no matter what we are going through.  May the people around us see this difference and want to know more about You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be humble (Matt.5:3-5, Lk.14:8-11, John 15:20)

(Matthew 5:3-5)  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth."

(Luke 6:20)  And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

(Luke 14:8-11)  “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. 10 But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

(John 15:20)  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also."

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we are sympathetic (Mt.5:4)
- that we are gentle (Mt.5:5)
- that we are humble (Mt.5:3, Lk.6:20)
- that we do not assume the place of honor (Lk.14:8)
- that we remember Jesus is greater than us and was persecuted, so we should not be surprised if and when we are persecuted (Jn.15:20)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You - the King of kings and Lord of lords - humbled Yourself... by leaving the comforts of heaven to born in a stable trough, to be raised by a poor family, to be persecuted, and to die on the cross for all sins!  And still - You love the everyone - and desire that everyone come to You for salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.

Guide us in Your strength and love to be gentle, sympathetic and humble!  Give us a servant's heart in order to serve You and others - not for our glory - but all for Your glory!  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Hinder God's Work (Mk.9:38-50, Lk.11:23, Mt.18:6-14)

(Mark 9:38-50)  John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is for us. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.

42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, 44 [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] 45 If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, 46 [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] 47 If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

49 “For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

(Luke 11:23)  He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.

(Matthew 18:10-14)  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.]

12 “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13 If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not hate other Christians (Mt.18:10-11)
- that we consider all believers as part of God's family (Mk.9:38-40)
- that we do not hinder people serving the Lord (Mk.9:38-40, Lk.9:50)
- that we do not cause other believers to stumble (Mt.18:6, Mk.9:42, Lk.17:1-2)
- that we do not stumble, and if we do, we need to remove ourselves from the tempting situations (Mt.18:8-9, Mk.9:43-48)
- that we are at peace with other believers (Mk.9:50)
- that we have salt in ourselves (Mk.9:49-50)
- that we are for the Lord (Mk.9:40, Lk.11:23)
- that we gather with the Lord (Lk.11:23)
- that we search out those who have strayed in order to bring them (back) to the Lord (Mt.18:12)
- that we rejoice when someone becomes a believer, or when a believer who has strayed returns to the Lord (Mt.18:13)
- it is God's will that no one should perish, and it is God's will that all believers will not perish (Mt.18:14)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your most gracious love.  Help us to share Your love with everyone, and most especially help us to love and get along with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Guide us towards unity and peace.  Give us patience and grace towards each other, in order to bring us closer together.  Help us to be working as a team, all the while equipping each other, and lifting each other up in prayer and with encouragement.

May we be constantly open to sharing the good news in order to bring people to salvation.  And give us wisdom, understanding, and a special kind of love in order to reach out to those believers who are struggling or those who have back-slide in their faith.  Help us not to be critical, suspicious or aloof towards anyone.  May we all seek to be salt which acts as a preservative, with a flavorful presence in order to glorify You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Hinder People (Matt.19:14, Mk.10:13-16, Lk.18:16-17)

(Mark 10:13-16)  And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not hinder anyone from going to Jesus (Mt.19:14, Mk.10:14, Lk.18:16)
- that everyone must receive the gospel message humbly and joyfully, like a child (Mk.10:15, Lk.18:17)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for caring for each and everyone one of us.  Help us to never hinder anyone from going to You for salvation or help.  Guide us to Your patience, wisdom and understanding in order to witness to anyone of any age or cultural background.

Guide us in how we train up our children, equipping them with sound doctrine, and leading by example.

Help us to remain humble, always dependent on You for everything.  And may we always enthusiastically rush to Your loving, protective arms with joy, contentment and thanksgiving.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Make Excuses (Lk.9:57-62, Mt.8)

(Luke 9:57-62)  As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not think we can do God's job/s (Mt.8:19-20, Lk.9:57-58)
- that we do not put off making the decision to put God first in our lives (Mt.8:21-22, Lk.9:61-62)
- that we do not make excuses not to do God's will (Lk.9:59-60)
- that we follow Jesus (Lk.9:59)
- that we help spread the gospel message (Lk.9:60)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your almighty power, infinite wisdom and loving sovereignty.  Only You could have paid the price for sin.  Only Your forgiveness will grant eternal salvation.  Only Your Holy Spirit can convict people's hearts, and indwell those who believe in order to guide and change us from the inside out.  Help us to understand that we cannot replace You in these things!

Help us to humbly desire to follow after You, as our name suggests - "Christian" - "Christ follower" - to be Christ-LIKE.  To follow after You - is to NOT follow after other things - is to NOT make excuses to avoid doing Your will.  To follow after You means we are putting You first in our lives.

Give us a desire to do Your will.  Give us a desire to share the gospel message.  Fill our hearts to the point that it overflows, so that those around us can see and hear the good news and realize that in this dark world there is light and hope in You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Worry (Mt.6, Lk.12, John 14,16)

(Matthew 6:25-34)  “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

(Luke 12:32-34) Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

33 “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

(John 14:1-3)  “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

(John 14:27)  “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."

(John 16:33)  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not worry about food and clothing (Mt.6:25, 31-32, Lk.12:22,29-30)
- that we do not worry about tomorrow (Mt.6:34)
- that we are not afraid or troubled (Lk.12:32, Jn.14:1, 27)
- that we take courage in Jesus, because He has overcome the world (Jn.16:33)
- that we believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ (Jn.14:1)
- that we practically observe and understand how God takes care of His creation (Mt.6:26-30. Lk.12:24-28)
- that we focus on seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness as our top priority (Mt.6:33, Lk.12:31)
- that we focus on storing up treasures in heaven as our top priority (Lk.12:33)
- that we focus on today (Mt.6:34)
- that we are generous in giving to the poor (Lk.12:33)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for providing our daily needs.  And when we are are on board and involved with doing Your will, You give us added blessings.  Thank You that we do not have to worry or be troubled about anything, when we put our faith and trust in You.  You have overcome the world - because You care!  Help us take courage in You for everything.  Help us focus on You, and doing Your will.  Amen.

praying effectively: Taxes and Tithes (Matt.22, Mk.12, Lk.20)

(Matthew 22:15-22)  Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. 17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we are to pay our taxes (Mt.22:21, Mk.12:17, Lk.20:25)

- that we are to tithe (Mt.22:21, Mk.12:17, Lk.20:25)

Today's prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank You so much for all that You have provided.  You have blessed us exceedingly.  May we be grateful and not take that for granted.  Help us to be honest and faithful in paying our taxes in respect to our country and its laws.

As we faithfully tithe our ten percent (and more) of everything You give to us, help us trust in Your promises of making sure we are never in need.  Help us also realize that Your blessings are many and are far better than money.  And help us realize that whatever we give will go towards helping to build Your kingdom..  Amen.