Prayer is Preparation"When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord." Acts 2:1
Today's Freedom Fighter addresses the issue that some raise about prayer. Take a minute to read through Dr. Henry Blackaby's perspective on prayer from his daily devotional, EXPERIENCING GOD -- THE DEVOTIONAL (Broadman and Holman):
Prayer does not give you spiritual power. Prayer aligns YOUR life with GOD so that He chooses to demonstrate HIS power THROUGH you. The purpose of prayer is not to convince God to change YOUR circumstances but to prepare YOU to be involved in GOD'S activity!
The fervent prayer of the people at Pentecost did not induce the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Prayer brought them to a place where they were ready to participate in the mighty work that God had already planned.
Jesus told His followers to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:4-5). The disciples obeyed His command, waiting for God's next directive. As they prayed, God adjusted their lives to what He intended to do next. As they prayed a unity developed among them. For the first time the disciples used Scripture as their guide in decision making (Acts 1:15-26).
The day of Pentecost arrived, and the city of Jerusalem filled with pilgrims from around the world. When God released HIS Holy Spirit upon the disciples, He had already filled the city with messengers who would carry the gospel to every nation. Prayer had prepared the disciples for their obedient response.
The day of Pentecost arrived, and the city of Jerusalem filled with pilgrims from around the world. When God released HIS Holy Spirit upon the disciples, He had already filled the city with messengers who would carry the gospel to every nation. Prayer had prepared the disciples for their obedient response.
Prayer is designed to adjust you and me to God's will, not to adjust God to our will. If God has not responded to what you and I are praying, we may need to adjust our praying to align with God's agenda.
Rather than focusing on what I would like to see happen, realize that God may be more concerned with what HE wants to see happen in US.
Good perspective on prayer. Are you willing to align your heart with Him today about the matters that are concerning you? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK
Dig This Quote: Slowly, through all the universe the temple of God is being built. And whenever, in any place, a soul by freewilled obedience, catches the fire of God's likeness, it is set into the growing walls, a living stone.
Determined Digging: Level 1: Michah 6:8; Level 2: Psalm 139:7-12
Determined Praying: Prayer is a weapon, a mighty weapon in a terrible conflict. Our prayers are to be a continual, earnest effort of battle, the battle against whatever is not God's will. P. T. Forsyth
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