Does Prayer Work?

The original band of disciples one day said to the Lord, “Teach us how to pray” (Luke 11:1).  Jesus subsequently taught a prayer outline of sorts that we refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Our Catholic friends refer to it as “The Our Father.”  A breakdown of this prayer -- verse by verse -- reveals many different aspects of God’s character and how we as believers can tap into heaven’s resources.

If these disciples needed to learn how to pray, we too need to learn.  Although the best prayers come from the heart, we still need to pray according to God’s Word and His will.  

My friend, prayer is much more than a command or even a suggestion; it is a privilege to pray.  When we mix our faith with prayer based on God’s Word, heaven responds! When our faith declarations line up with the Word and come into agreement with what God has already promised, we stand on solid ground.  

Do you need peace?  Then let “the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard your heart and mind” (Philippians 4:7).

Do you need healing”   Then declare today -- this moment -- that “He is the Lord who heals” (Exodus 15:26).

Do you need provision?  Then pray, “My God shall provide all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

We are asked to pray, not because God isn’t aware of our situation.  We are asked to combine our faith with heaven’s intentions. When we pray, we invite heaven to come to earth.  “Let your kingdom come, and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We invite heaven to kiss the earth!  During this Coronavirus pandemic, we are asking the Lord to allow what’s in heaven to fill the earth. Heaven has no sickness, so we are asking the Lord to touch down on the earth with healing and to destroy the virus. 

I need not beg the Lord when I pray.  After all, He knows what I “have need of before I pray” (Matthew 6:8).  We pray because we understand that our faith pleases God. Prayer keeps us dependent on the Lord!  Selfishness dies in the midst of concerted prayer. It’s His kingdom, not ours!

Keep praying and keep believing!

God is Speaking

Have you ever had a Scripture jump off the page right into your heart? I’m sure you have! In theological terms, we refer to those times as “Kairos” moments. A “now word” from God. A word in time. A word from the throne, a promise for whatever you’re experiencing at a precise moment in time. During this pandemic, I believe God wants to give a “now word” to keep His people in check.

Recently, Matthew 8:8 spoke powerfully to me: ”And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, ‘Lord my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fully tormented.’ Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion said,, ‘Lord, I am not worthy for you to come under my roof, but just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go, and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.’”

“Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, ‘Truly I say to you, I have not found such greater faith with anyone in Israel’....And the man was healed that very moment.” (Matthew 8:5-10, 13).

When God speaks, things happen! Four words invaded my spirit when I read this passage. I too marveled at the centurion’s faith -- “Just say the word…” My faith was elevated when I was reminded that God is still speaking today in the middle of this Coronavirus pandemic. Like you, I need all of heaven’s encouragement I can get!

“Just speak the word…” This same God, who spoke the worlds into existence during creation, still speaks today. His creative Word formed the sun, moon stars and everything else we see. In Genesis 1, we read nine times where “God spoke.” And every time He spoke, He formed something out of nothing.

I love what the centurion said: “Just speak the word…” He evidently had seen Jesus speak other miracles into being. The spoken word in that very moment healed the centurion’s servant! This same God wants to speak into our lives today.

You too may need healing. You may wonder how you’re going to fare financially. The needs are incredible at a time like this. I need the Lord to speak into the uncertainties of my life. I want to be like Samuel, who while being mentored by the High Priest, Eli, said, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

This is a world-wide pandemic.  I believe God is speaking to responsive hearts all over the earth. Just as the Holy Spirit hovered at creation, so God is hovering over the earth, waiting with great anticipation to speak to those who fear Him. The nations seem to be reeling under fear and great anxiety.  Governments remain uncertain regarding right decisions. But God is speaking. Daniel’s God is still on the throne of the universe. Daniel, an obscure man in Nebuchadnezzar’s court, was raised up to speak to the nations, and I believe God is still raising up accurate prophetic voices to guide today’s dilemma.  

But understand something.  You too can hear from God. He’s speaking to the world, to nations, to states, to communities, and TO YOU!  Just as Jesus commanded turbulent waters to calm, he desires to speak peace into our individual lives during this time of turbulence.  We have never navigated the present troubled waters -- no one has! We’re all in the same boat! And we need Jesus to speak peace. He spoke healing over the centurion’s servant and He spoke peace over the panicky disciples, and He wants to speak peace, provision, or whatever into your life today.  Ask Him!

Coupled with Matthew 8:8, the Lord alo spoke Isaiah 30:15 into my spirit.  This was a “now Word” for me, and I want to pass it along to you. “For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest,  you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength…” During Israel’s turbulent days, the prophet addressed the nation as a whole, but also directed his remarks to individuals. 

Pandemic storms may rage, but we as followers of Jesus Christ are promised peace in the midst of tumult.  He wants to give every believer -- that means YOU -- a “now Word,” one that will hold you steady during these uncertain times.

Our medical profession has asked us to practice social distancing.  When in groups less than ten, to practice the “six-feet rule.” Crowds of more than ten are strongly urged not to gather.  I can’t help but feel God is using these dynamics to draw us away from others into His presence. The Lord is asking for an audience of one!  God wants to give YOU a “now Word.” You need one! He’s still speaking and He has a message crafted specifically for you!  

I appreciate what our government is doing, and I pray earnestly for our President and the many other front-liners, so I beg you, don’t waste your time wasting time!

Use this interruption to get before the Lord .  Open His Word with a humble, searching heart. Like Isaiah suggested, “Seek repentance and rest.” You will be saved (from external stimuli) that threatens your peace.  Cultivate a daily quiet time with the Lord and place your trust in Him. He wants to keep you strong!

Listen intently and honestly as you search the Scriptures.  What is the Lord asking you to change in your life? Do you continue to harbor secret sins?   Have you grown complacent in your Christian life and service? What attitudes have you fostered that are counterproductive to your spiritual well being?  Are you angry? Is there someone you need to forgive? Do you struggle with sexual lust? The Lord wants to speak specifically to you! He will lovingly confront you, convict you, and by His grace show you a better way!  Isn’t He wonderful?

During this pandemic, I remain committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  I remain “confident of this one thing -- that “He who began a good work in me (over 49 years ago), will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). 

God is speaking.  Listen!  

The Right Tools

Have you ever tried to complete a task without having the proper tool(s)?   It’s frustrating!

Some weeks ago, I decided to cut off two dead limbs from a tree in our front yard.  I found a dull hand saw in my tool shed and went to work.  Two hours later, the limbs were still attached to the tree and I was completely worn out and admittedly very upset.

All that hard work created open sores on both hands and aching muscles.  Why?  Because I did not use the right tool.  I needed a chainsaw!

Sadly, many go through life without discovering the right “tools” to make it easier.  Life at best brings difficult days, so we need to use the tools God has given us to help navigate our years.  What are some of the most important “tools” we need?

1.  We need to place our faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  We need SALVATION.  “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  

2.  We need a daily re-fueling (IN-FILLING) of power to help us be effective witnesses.  “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 parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 

3.  We need the BIBLE.  The Bible is God’s Word and our roadmap for success.  I once heard Billy Graham say, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”  The psalmist understood the need of connecting with God when he said, “Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against God” (Psalm 119:11).  How true!  When we read the Bible, we literally ingest the life of God.  “My words are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). 

4.  We need to PRAY.  Prayer to the believer is what oxygen is to the body.  It is life-giving and life-sustaining.  God invites us to pray so that heaven comes to earth!  “Let Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).  He has given us both the privilege and authority to pray so that when we come into agreement with His Word, we receive help in our time of need.  “Let us draw near with confidence that we may receive mercy and find grace in the time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

5.  We need the LOCAL CHURCH.  None of us were made to do it alone.  Life is rewarding and wonderful when we come alongside other believers who encourage us.  The love, accountability, teaching, friendships, and many other benefits we experience in Christian community cannot be equaled elsewhere.  When sinners saved by grace gather to worship, heaven kisses earth, “and we which were dead in our transgressions, (are) made alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised up with him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”   I can’t imagine not having a local church to call “family and home.”  Percentage wise today, fewer in America are making church a regular part of their lives.  And mores the pity! 

6.   Finally, we need PEACE.  To know Jesus is to know peace, and “No Jesus” leads to “no peace.”  He is the peace-giver!  I can’t imagine not having Him in my life.  When life circumstances threaten to overwhelm me, I count on His peace to sustain me and to keep me on track.  “And the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).    

How we need Him today and every day!  He has given us these tools, among others, to experience life to its fullest – and the one to come!    

God's Will for Your Life?

I remember wondering that very question when I was a teenager.  It seemed to me that finding God's will was such a mysterious, hard-to-understand issue--almost a shot in the dark!  

David says in Psalm 48:8, "I delight to do Your will, O my God..."  Another often-quoted verse pertaining to the will of God is Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

A lot of Christians talk about the perfect and permissible will of God, using this verse as a support.  However, I don't have time or space to elaborate on this teaching.  Another verse that comes to mind is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification..."  Paul specifically mentions sanctification as it relates to possessing our "vessel (body) in sanctification and honor."

From these passages and more, we discover that God does have a plan and purpose for our lives.  We also learn that above all, His will is that we allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify our lives--in these cases, our minds and bodies.

This subject cannot be adequately treated in this venue, but allow me to offer two principles that I have always operated by when it came to the specific will of God in my life:

1.  First, I believe the will of God is tied in to the gifts and desires God places within each one of us.  

In Psalm 37:4, David says to "Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart."  God does not want us to simply exist.  He desires that we walk in "fullness of joy."  He will not require you to go through life unfulfilled.  He has placed within you special gifts and talents to use for His glory.

What do you like to do?  What incites passion in your life?  What motivates you toward excellence?  What do you often think about?  What desires and assignments has God placed within your spiritual DNA?

God will sponsor what He initiates!

Ask Him to fine-tune your desires.  Remember, "Your steps are ordered" (Psalm 37:23).  God is not an Indian giver.  What He deposits inside you, He wishes to use!  But please, try to avoid a "hocus-pocus, waving the magic wand" mentality when it comes to knowing the will of God for your life.  Don't make it so mystical or super-spiritual.  However, don't be surprised either if God uses another believer to confirm what He's already placed within your heart!

2.  Second, I believe the will of God is always accompanied by perfect peace.  

"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3). When making important decisions in life, I refuse to move ahead until I experience God's perfect peace regarding the matter at hand.

When my son Zach began driving, he and I went car shopping.  He found a car that he could both afford and one he really liked.  He talked to the dealer and made arrangements to sign the necessary papers the following day.  However, as the day wore on, he became more and more unsettled.  Neither did I have peace about the car.  When I shared my concerns with Zach, he proceeded to share his hesitations with me.  Later, circumstances proved us right, and we were both so glad we did not follow through with the purchase.  The peace of God saved the day (or in our case, a lack of peace).

The will of God is such a vast subject to discuss; however, I've touched upon two very critical principles, which I feel strongly factor into this subject.  I hope this abbreviated discussion helps you walk in God’s continued will.