Mon/Feb 20, 2012 Prayer

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing on the street corners to be seen by man. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."

Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters, it is Monday morning and Monday is the day we pray for our President and all of our leaders, plus our veterans, military, police (state and local plus your sheriff and marshals), Firefighters and all who work to keep us healthy and safe. Also to start the week, please pray for the staff and all who call The Bridges their home. Yesterday (Sunday) church was canceled due to the flu in many who reside there. Pray for Tom Sansoni and the group going to the Holy Lands. Pray for Jean, cancer.

February 20, 2012 Prayer Matthew 6:5 - "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing on the street corners to be seen by man. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (NIV)

About once a year or so God plants on my heart to talk to all about prayer. However, each time I write about it, I ask God to give me a new slant on the old, old subject of prayer, or like I put it, talking to God. However, other things come to talking to God.

Let's hope in our cars and we go for a drive and we come to a railroad crossing, and it is not controlled by a cross arm or even lights, it does have an advance warning, a round sign that states Rail Road Crossing Ahead. Then we see the sign at the tracks and remember it is a crossing without lights or a cross arm. You pull up and if you are obeying the law, you will stop, look and listen. Buses that transport people, meaning school buses, charter buses, city buses and cross country buses, plus taxies and even limos must stop at those Rail Road Crossings. Also all trucks carry stuff that can go BOOM...  Must stop at all railroad crossing regardless if they have lights or cross arms, with just two exceptions... One, the crossing in advance is marked by signage that states "Exempt," the other is if a railroad police officer or any other UNIFORMED police officer is moving you on. Bus drivers are to open the window beside them and open the door (lets the train come through.) No, that is so the driver can do what the sign on that crossing without lights tells all what to do... STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN.

Ok Pastor Dan, why are you telling us this? Is it another lesson in safety as you often give, you might ask. Well, you can use it that way, but I am telling you we need that big sign at the railroad crossing, the big cross board with a sign on them STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN maybe in the front of churches once in a while, just to show people this...   When you pray, when you talk to the Lord, please take time to STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN.

STOP: take time to stop for a few minutes each day and talk to Jesus, maybe the best time is on the side of the bed when you first get up, or on your knees bedside. You should also stop and pray many times a day. Take some time with God. Maybe you are even with your friends, take time to stop and pray with them.

LOOK: Yes, look, most often we are taught to bow our heads and close our eyes when we pray and that is great, but sometimes I just like to pray with my eyes wide open looking up toward heaven. I also pray when I drive and when I do that, I also like to keep my eyes open. (Bet you're glad to hear that.) Also maybe before you even start to pray or talk to God it is good to look around you and see what all God has furnished you.

LISTEN: What good is it for you to pray to our Lord seeking answers for something you are praying about if you do not LISTEN to what God tells you? Yes, God does speak to us all, and I hear Him often. No, not something like this,  DAN, I AM TALKING TO YOU... But He has placed just those kind of words on my heart. Dan, I am talking to you about this. Many, many times what I am writing to you about was placed on my heart for me also.

I also like to preach sometimes about hell and preach it so hot that you can feel the heat, and again I think that is God talking to me. In other words, I am just a sinner saved by grace, so unworthy of what Jesus did for me, but hey, I take it, I love Jesus and I give Him all honor and glory for saving my soul... Will you pray a prayer of forgiveness with me this day?

Dear Father in Heaven, Thanks for all You do for us, thanks for taking care of our prayer requests according to Your will for us. And now, Lord, please forgive me of my sins and wash me white today, and Lord, You have given me this day, may I live it to please You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Now go forth, praying and talking to God, and listening to Him for answers. And yes, take time to STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN. Love ya, Pastor Dan.