PRAYER

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord My Soul To Take, Amen.

This simple child's prayer is etched in the minds of millions and millions of God's creation. This and the so called Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6: 9-13, are recited and recalled thousands of times each and every day around the globe. Grown men who have fallen away from the Lord or certain patients in Memory Care Facilities can be brought to tears hearing or speaking these timeless tools of worship.

We believe that the first mention of prayer in our Bible can be found in Genesis 4:26 where we read: To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

What is prayer and Why is it so important?

Right beside God's gift to us through the Breath of Life is where we should place the value and importance of Prayer. For believers, prayer is a gift, a privilege, a blessing of having direct unfettered access to the Creator, the Author of all things, past, present and future. Prayer is the direct connection between your soul's voice and God's ear. The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. { Psa 6:9} God grants the believer audience instantly regardless of the hour, weather, situation or location. The power of prayer is almost to great to contemplate while in the flesh.

Those who do not believe have no use for prayer; The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no God." { Psa 10:4} --This is a sad statement and reflection on the majority of those living today.

The most common types of prayers are prayers of petition; Cries for personal help or intervention for themselves, and prayers of intercession; praying for intervention or benefit for others, or on their behalf. Here is an example of a prayer of intercession mixed with a short benediction at the end:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, (16) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (20) Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, (21) to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. {Eph 3:14-21}

IN First Samuel, a powerful prayer of petition is pleaded by Hanna to be granted the favor of childbirth, lifting up words of great respect, worship and awe to her Lord:

Then Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. (2) "There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. (3) "Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. (4) "The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength. (5) "Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, But those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes. (6) "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. (7) "The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. (8) "He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He set the world on them. (9) "He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. (10) "Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed." {1Sa 2:1-10}

There is yet another type of prayer. Thanksgiving!

God answers prayers. O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. { Psa 30:2}

When you pray, pray from your heart, pray from the deepest most secret part of your very soul. Pray with a deep reverence expected as from a created being (you) to your Creator (Our Lord God). Cherish and protect this wondrous gift that Almighty God has granted to His child. Thank Him often for being the powerful and merciful Father of all who believe, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

PRAYER

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord My Soul To Take, Amen.

This simple child's prayer is etched in the minds of millions and millions of God's creation. This and the so called Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6: 9-13, are recited and recalled thousands of times each and every day around the globe. Grown men who have fallen away from the Lord or certain patients in Memory Care Facilities can be brought to tears hearing or speaking these timeless tools of worship.

We believe that the first mention of prayer in our Bible can be found in Genesis 4:26 where we read: To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

What is prayer and Why is it so important?

Right beside God's gift to us through the Breath of Life is where we should place the value and importance of Prayer. For believers, prayer is a gift, a privilege, a blessing of having direct unfettered access to the Creator, the Author of all things, past, present and future. Prayer is the direct connection between your soul's voice and God's ear. The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. { Psa 6:9} God grants the believer audience instantly regardless of the hour, weather, situation or location. The power of prayer is almost to great to contemplate while in the flesh.

Those who do not believe have no use for prayer; The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no God." { Psa 10:4} -- This is a sad statement and reflection on the majority of those living today.

The most common types of prayers are prayers of petition; Cries for personal help or intervention for themselves, and prayers of intercession; praying for intervention or benefit for others, or on their behalf. Here is an example of a prayer of intercession mixed with a short benediction at the end:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, (16) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (20) Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, (21) to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. {Eph 3:14-21}

IN First Samuel, a powerful prayer of petition is pleaded by Hanna to be granted the favor of childbirth, lifting up words of great respect, worship and awe to her Lord:

Then Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. (2) "There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. (3) "Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. (4) "The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength. (5) "Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, But those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes. (6) "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. (7) "The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. (8) "He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He set the world on them. (9) "He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. (10) "Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed." {1Sa 2:1-10}

There is yet another type of prayer. Thanksgiving!

God answers prayers. O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. { Psa 30:2}

When you pray, pray from your heart, pray from the deepest most secret part of your very soul. Pray with a deep reverence expected as from a created being (you) to your Creator (Our Lord God). Cherish and protect this wondrous gift that Almighty God has granted to His child. Thank Him often for being the powerful and merciful Father of all who believe, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Oh, What My Eyes Have Seen

"Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. {Rev 1:19}

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, (21) for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. {2Pe 1:20-21} -- What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. {1Jn 1:3}

"See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (40) And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. {Luk 24:39-40} -- And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. {Joh 19:35}

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. {2Pe 1:16} -- so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. {1Co 2:5}

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Oh, What My Eyes Have Seen

"Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. {Rev 1:19}

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, (21) for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. {2Pe 1:20-21} -- What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. {1Jn 1:3}

"See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (40) And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. {Luk 24:39-40} -- And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. {Joh 19:35}

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. {2Pe 1:16} -- so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. {1Co 2:5}

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE WOMAN'S SEED

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." {Gen 3:15}

Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. (14) Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men. {Isa 52:13-14} -- But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. { Isa 53:5}

"While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours." {Luk 22:53}

So Pilate *said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" (11) Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." {Joh 19:10-11}

Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; (8) the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. {1Jn 3:7-8}

And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. {Mar 1:34} -- And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. {Mat 28:18}

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. {Rom 16:20}

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE WOMAN'S SEED

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." {Gen 3:15}

Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. (14) Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men. {Isa 52:13-14} -- But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. { Isa 53:5}

"While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours." {Luk 22:53}

So Pilate *said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" (11) Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." {Joh 19:10-11}

Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; (8) the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. {1Jn 3:7-8}

And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. {Mar 1:34} -- And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. {Mat 28:18}

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. {Rom 16:20}

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

DO NOT FEAR

On March 4th, 1933, in his inaugural address, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt uttered the words, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself". One wonders at the high probability that our God, in HIS providence, influenced Moly, FDR's speech writer and FDR himself to not only include this statement, but to open his address with it. The nation faced dangerous times and challenges.

Fear can and has crippled whole nations reducing them to indecisiveness, error and even destruction. In God's economy, trusting believers push through fear, overcome paralysis, boldly reach beyond their immediate grasp through unbridled faith in God's power to go before you.

"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." {Deu 31:8}

Yoking yourself to the Almighty and His grace is the horsepower behind success, for His ways are better than our ways; I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. { Jer 10:23}

Unlike God, mans vision is short sighted, often distorted by the influence of the world and of sin. Man's view and power is limited. Limited, that is, until he places his full faith in the hands of the Creator.

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. (24) When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. {Psa 37:23-24}

In a Psalm written by Asaph, The Lord's promise holds strong contrasting righteousness over the wicked; "Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand." (24) "With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory". { Psa 73:23-24}

All believers should find great comfort and strength in the covenant that Christ Jesus has made with us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. {Rom 8:38-39}

Never attempt to go it alone! Always pray for and invoke the awesome power of our Savior through the in-dwelling Holy Spirit, AMEN.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?