Aches and Praise Seven Hundred and Five

Posted on 2025-03-14 in English |

Dear friends,  

In cleaning piles of stuff recently, I came across an article that I had kept since 1992. It`s entitled “Lifting the Level of Our Praying” by Charles Stanley. It begins: “Do you pray for friends and family only when there is a crucial need, or do you ask God to show you how to pray for those around you on a daily basis?” When I think about prayer, one portion of Scripture that comes to mind is what the Lord Jesus declared in what is called “The Sermon on the Mount.” Here is part of that sermon: “And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, Go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you”(Matthew 6:5-6).
 
The Lord then told His disciples to “not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do … for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him” (vv. 7-8).
Then the Lord taught:
 
“Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father who art in heaven, 
Hallowed be Thy name. 
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.’”(vv.9-13).
 

In reflecting on the prayer that the Lord Jesus taught His disciples, I see that we should honour the Lord by exalting Him and praying for His will to be done. In writing and talking to others, I sometimes say “Lord willing” when I say that I will do something or go somewhere.

Charles Stanley observes: “God gives direction to our prayers as we ask Him to show us how to pray for others. He gives both wisdom and discernment as we submit to His leadership. He uses prayers to meet needs, open doors, change attitudes, and mend broken relationships. The potential of prayer is limitless when guided by the Spirit of God.”

He then notes: “The first step to praying effectively for another person is to pray specifically. For years people have written or called to share how they are praying for me. Many times their prayers are right on target with something that I am facing. … God is a God of specifics. His desire is that we would learn to pray specifically for the needs and spiritual growth of others.

Paul’s prayer was very specific and very powerful. In a short amount of space he asks God to do something absolutely life changing in the lives of the Ephesians.”

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe….” (Ephesians 1:15-19).

Driving in downtown Montreal a few days ago, Karen and I passed the building where I worked before joining Global Outreach Mission (now known as MissionGO). As cashier of the Gazette newspaper, I handled hundreds of cheques each day, seeing thousands of dollars designated for payment of newspapers, advertisements, and other items. If those cheques had been written to me, I would have been wealthy, but that would have paled in comparison with the spiritual riches that I, and other followers of Christ, have in the Lord.

By God’s grace, we can proclaim the greatness of God and thank Him for His gift of salvation and new life in Christ.
 

Scripture for the weekend: “Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.” Psalm 96:2-3 (NASB).     

                                                                                                                                                                                                Thought for the weekend: “Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness.” – George MacDonald.
 
 
By His grace,
 

Steve


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