Friday 1/29/16 The Big Trip (32)

Our Father which 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, Forever. Amen.

Dear brothers and sisters, after talking to our son Matthew the other day, he told us he can no longer pray. With that said, I looked in the Bible about prayer and figured it is a good time to talk about it some. I ask all of you to keep our son Matthew in your prayers and place him on prayer lists asking God to touch him so Matthew gets back into praying again. Thanks.

Friday: January 29, 2016: The Big Trip (Day Thirty-two)

Prayer One

Brothers and sisters, have you ever gotten to the point for one reason or another you could not pray? It does seem like there are times that our Lord Jesus does not hear our prayers. However, I want to point out that our Lord Jesus hears each and every one of our prayers, be they silent or out loud. Just so you know, He also  hears everything else we say. Oh my ... You mean He hears it ALL? Yes, He does, every last word of your talk and even your thinking. SCARY, RIGHT? yes, it is, and that is one reason I open most every day by asking forgiveness of my sins. All of us, except Jesus, are sinners. All of us, including me and you. I even put me ahead of you on this one. Different Bibles carry different versions of The Lord's Prayer and even how it should be prayed. I want to make this as easy as can be.

Jesus is our friend, in fact He is our very best friend, period!!! I have heard some jokes about a funeral director and it said he will be the last person to let you down!!! Now, if you are thinking I am going to say that is not right because Jesus will be the last person to let yo down, YOU ARE SO WRONG!!! Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you for any reason. So if you are down in the dumps or afraid, get into a praying habit. In fact just get into the praying habit. Listen to these words from Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." (NIV)

Luke 11:1-4 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus' Teaching on Prayer

11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught His disciples." 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.

Sometimes we think when we need things, others should just drop everything they might be doing and come running to us. How fast was that street plowed out? I want it done now, some people have said, even on news interviews. Some people also think that God should also drop everything and just come and fix their problem. Trust me, and it is in the scripture above. God knows our every problem and sometimes we must wait it out for it will be in HIS TIME AND ACCORDING TO HIS WILL FOR US. Really, would you want it any other way? Not me! Also remember this. Watch what you pray for, for He might answer something that you don't want to happen. Years ago I wrote about The Lord's Prayer and about praying. Maybe time for a re-visit. As I leave you for this day, please just remember HE WON'T!!!

Most of you in your life have heard The Lord's Prayer sung at a wedding or someplace else. That is the song I want to place in your heart and on your lips today. Yes, go about your daily work singing The Lord's Prayer.

Now go forth and serve Jesus, keep praying and please remember He will never leave you or forsake you. And you can remember this also. I love ya.

Pastor Dan