praying effectively: Live By Faith (Rom.1, 2, 3, 5)

(Romans 3:19-31)  Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.

31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

(Romans 2:12-13)  For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

(Romans 5:19-21)  For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Romans 1:16-17)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

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 salvation and redemption is only through faith in Christ Jesus (3:24, 28, 5:19, 21)

- that we live by faith (1:16-17)

- that in faith, we strive to be obedient to God's will (2:13, 3:31) 

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your redemption and salvation through faith.  As we have been saved by faith, help us to live by faith.  And in our faith, help us desire to remain obedient to Your will, trusting in You to guide and equip us.  Amen.

praying effectively: Call on the Name of the Lord (Rom.10:1-17)

(Romans 10:1-17)  Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 

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 hear and believe in the gospel message (10:17)

- that we are free from the law when we have faith in Jesus, which is believing in Jesus and living in His righteousness, not thinking that it is our works which save us or fulfills the law (10:4, 9-10)

- that we call on the name of the Lord Jesus (10:13)

- that we share the gospel message with others (10:14-17)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your word and for providing salvation to us.  Thank You that we do not have to work for our salvation, but that You did the work for us, so that all we have to do is believe in you.  Thank You for giving us freedom from sin and the law, which Your amazing grace provides.

Help us live out the gospel message in Your love, integrity and confidence, so that Your light shines out to those around us.  Give us the desire and courage to share the good news as You give us opportunities.  And in every step we take, help us remember to call on You, for Your strength and guidance.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Alert (Acts 20:28-32)

(Acts 20:28-32)  Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

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 alert and on guard for ourselves and our fellow believers (Acts 20:28-31)

- that we help teach and mentor fellow believers (Acts 20:28)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your protection and Your grace.  Strengthen us and guide us to help build up and encourage fellow believers.  Help Your Church grow spiritually as well as numerically.  Keep the new converts, as well as the mature believers, from stumbling.

Give us wisdom to know when there is danger and to know what to do in every situation.  Give special guidance, protection and strength to every spiritual leader, in Your love and in unity, so that Your Church will remain steadfast and faithful to Your word and to Your will.  Amen.

praying effectively: Focus on Being a Witness (Acts 1, 13:47)

(Acts 1:4-8)  Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

(Acts 13:47)  For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, that You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’”

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 when the rapture will happen and the Tribulation begin, only God knows when that will be (Acts 1:7)

- that we focus on being witnesses, in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)

- that everyone in the world should hear the gospel message (Acts 1:8, 13:47)

Today's prayer: 

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for being in control of all things, even timelines and the order of all things.  Help us not to be fearful or worry about when the Tribulation will begin.  Help us be confident in Your word that the rapture will happen first, because You are a God of order and fairness. 

Help Your children be obedient to Your calling, to go where You ask us.  Help us make Your presence known throughout the world.  Guide us to share the GOOD news about salvation in Your Spirit of love and power, no matter where we are.  Amen.

praying effectively: Repent and be baptized (Acts 2, 3, 8, 10, 11)

(Acts 10:43)  Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.

(Acts 3:19)  Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord

(Acts 2:38-40)  Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”

(Acts 11:16)  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

(Acts 8:36-38)  As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 37 [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

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 should want to be saved from the perverse world (2:40)

- that we repent our sins to Jesus (2:38, 3:19)

- that we believe in Jesus for our forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation (10:43)

- that as soon as we become believers, we are spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit, and should be physically baptized as a symbolic testimony to others (2:38, 8:36-37, 11:16)

- that as soon as we become believers, we should realize our spiritual gift/s and use them to serve (2:38)

- that when we stray, we should always return to Jesus (3;19)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for making salvation possible.  And for all of those who become children of God, thank You for giving each of us Your indwelling Holy Spirit, as well as giving each of us spiritual gifts.  Not only have we been given gifts of the Spirit, but the Holy Spirit helps us to use our gifts effectively when we ask.  Help us to remember to ask for guidance and strength in order to glorify God in all that we say and do.

Help us to be obedient to Your will.  Guide all believers to realize the importance of a physical, symbolic baptism with water.  It shows the world that this ceremonial rite does not save us, but it demonstrates how God saves us through Jesus’ work on the cross:  that we have died to sin, in order to have eternal life;  born again as a child of God, we are cleansed by the righteousness of Jesus, the Living Water.

Keep us from evil, help us stay away from the temptations of the world, and guide us and fill us with Your desires.  Amen.

praying effectively: Take Heed (Acts 13:40-41)

(Acts 13:40-41)  “Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:

41 ‘Behold, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish; for I am accomplishing a work in your days, a work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to 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 people pay careful attention to God’s prophecies and promises, because He has given us fair warning (Acts 13:40-41)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your word!  Thank You that You desire to save all people from Your wrath, so You not only give us fair warning, but You provide the way to salvation.  Give us opportunities and courage to share Your word with those around us.  Convict their hearts and minds, and prepare their hearts, so that they will understand and see their need for You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Remember (Mt.26, Mk.14, Lk.22)

(Matthew 26:26-29)  While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

(Mark 14:22-24)  While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” 23 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”

(Luke 22:17-20)  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”

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 take communion, both the bread and the “wine”, as a ceremony in order to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross (Mt.26:26-28, Mk.14:22-24, Luke 22:17-20)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your work on the cross.  May we never take what You did for granted.  May we always remember and be most grateful for Your sacrificial love, Your saving grace, and Your everlasting promises.  Amen.