Time to Pray

Prayer. How thankful I am for the Lord’s desire to minister personally to me as we dialogue, interact, and carry on conversation and relationship in prayer. Prayer that comes from a desire to be with God (Psalm 130:5-6) and comes before the Lord with a right heart (Isaiah 1:15-17) accomplishes much (James 16). It’s time to pray. Right now, where you’re at, whatever your state of mind or body, it’s time to pray. You don’t have to wait for a church service, for the beginning of a meal, or for a traffic jam (though, those are all great places and good reasons) to pray. Consider this non-exhaustive list of ways to pray. 1) No need to be showy, wordy or ostentatious · Matthew 6:5-6 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 2) Simple praying is best · Matthew 6:7-8 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 3) You can do it Sitting · 2 Samuel 7:18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 4) or Kneeling · Luke 22:41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 5) or Standing · 1 Kings 8:22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven 6) Have you ever prayed Lying prostrate on the ground? · Chronicles 20:18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 7) Prayer works with Arms outstretched · Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 8) or Hands raised · 1 Timothy 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 9) Pray Several Times a Day · Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 10) in the Early Morning · Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 11) All Night · Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 12) And at All Times · 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continuously 13) You can pray Inside · Daniel 6:10 · Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 14) or Outside · Mark 1:35 · Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. · Acts 10:9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. · Acts 21:5 But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 15) Praying should be In the Spirit · Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 16) in Silence · Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. · 1 Corinthians 14:28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 17) or Out loud · Isaiah 62:6-7 I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, 7 and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. 18) You can even pray while Driving (but don’t close your eyes) · Acts 1:14 [They] all continued in one accord in prayer and supplication (NKJV) Gang, it’s a virtual “Pray Buffet.” Time to dive in, fill up and be strengthened. With this buffet there are no lines and it doesn’t cost a thing. — Pastor Terry

Spread Joy

"I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:18 As the new school year starts I am reminded of the simplest joys in life. Newly sharpened pencils and waxed school floors - okay maybe those are too simple, but classrooms of jubilant children - now there is some real joy. I often see children overjoyed about starting school. Excitement is oozing from their pores. The fun and joy of doing something new, a new challenge, a new season is almost too much for them to contain. How is it that our children realize that they can have the joy of the LORD overflow from them in new situations they are put in, yet we as adults all too often loose that joy? As adults we look at the new or the challenge as something to be afraid of and we quiver in weakness and fear. The Word tells us that the LORD is our strength and we can be joyful in Him. The LORD is in us and His joy can flow through us by His Spirit, so when we see the new let us not be afraid. Instead, let us have strength and go out with joy. The love of Jesus can be spread as we are joyful and full of anticipation in what the LORD is going to do with the new or the challenge in our lives. This fall may we spread the joy of the LORD in all situations, new and old, the challenging and the typical, with the same excitement that the younger members of the Body started off this new season in their lives. — Rebecca Carmichael, Children’s Ministries

Baptisms in The Garden

Baptism is a public profession of our faith in Jesus Christ. What a beautiful picture of burying the old sinful self, and being raised anew in Christ. Our Lord Jesus gave His life that we might be pure and spotless in the Father's eyes. Join us as we celebrate Sunday, September 11, 2005, 10:00 a.m. If you would like to be baptized you can talk to one of the pastors or elders or just show up to be baptized on Sunday morning. You are also welcome to pick up a free tape on baptism at the Encouraging Words Bookstore counter or click here and listen in...

Be of Good Cheer!

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!..." What a comforting word the Lord had for the Apostle Paul that night! Paul had great expectations and high aspirations for his visit to Jerusalem this time around but was met with one disappointment after another instead. He was certain that his presence in Jerusalem would mean salvation for many and encouragement for many more. Instead, he met with a strange request from the elders at the church in Jerusalem and dealt with rioting, beatings and rejection from the religious Jews at the temple. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the Roman commander Claudias Lysias rescuing him, Paul would have been torn to pieces by those worshipping at the temple. So, Paul found himself in prison, rejected by his people and all alone. Even the elders of the church in Jerusalem were no where to be found to bring encouragement and comfort to the discouraged servant of Christ. That’s when the Lord draws near to Paul. How amazing and encouraging it must have been for Paul to have the Lord stand near and say, “Take courage!” or “Be of good cheer!” I find that the Lord does that with me as well. When everything’s dark and it seems that all hope is gone, the Lord stands near and whispers in my ear, “Take courage!” “Be of good cheer!” Know this — the Lord understands whatever challenge you are having, He knows the discouragement you’re experiencing. He also knows what the outcome of the trial or trials will be. So, take courage and be of good cheer! The Lord has thoughts and plans for you that are far beyond anything you could imagine! Continue to seek His face and follow His heart for you. And you’ll experience Him being near you, encouraging you to be of good cheer! "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE." Jeremiah 29:11 Lord Bless You! Pastor Graham