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Hope in Prayer
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I just listened to Edlredge's first teaching on prayer. This has changed my view of the need and purpose of prayer. Like so many other people, I've assigned God's plan and will to my unanswered prayers. In essence I've been praying MY will rather than His. Consequently, I am disappointed because I believe God should answer the cry of my heart without reservation. I've made wrong assumptions about prayer and God's will. The desire of my heart to see healing, victory, freedom, etc. is certainly God's heart, but perhaps His answers are often different from my expectations. I'm starting to recognize the fact that surrendered prayer, that which can submit to God's "no", is necessary to line up with His will.
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Paul 02/26/2011 06:57 |
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John T
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02/26/2011 09:13 |
Very true. I remember learning a lot when I listened to that for the first time last year. It's probably time I listen again!
John
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JDan
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11/04/2011 10:50 |
It is interesting that there are not many comments at all on the Hope of Prayer teaching. This is the only one I have come across so far.
I must say that although unlike Brian I do not endorse everything John Elderridge does, he does make some good points in his teaching on prayer. My problem is I do not have the energy to do what he suggests nor do I see or understand the need to be redundant in continually putting everything under the blood submitting over and over again in every situation Jesus died ONCE for ALL so I believe that I don't need to remind Him or the devil of that fact the Blood of Christ has been applied to my life and heart once and for all.
I guess if I had more energy I would feel more like jumping through all the hoops John puts out there but at this point of my life I just don't have the energy and I pray the Lord will understand and have mercy on me for not being a "prayer warrior".
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RaceGirl
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11/06/2011 18:45 |
Question for anyone...is there some other way to listen to this teaching other then on the computer? I don't really have time to just sit and listen at a computer. Wondering if there is a download option? I listen to the DAB and a lot of other teachings on my iPhone at work which is great...keeps me connected to the word in a very worldy place. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love it! Thanks!
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Helga
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11/19/2011 09:18 |
What happens when you pray, as a believer in Christ? God, our heavenly Father . . .
1. Receives our prayers. God never stops receiving our prayers, as long as we do not abide in sin. Sin disrupts our communion with God. If you have sin in your life, do not waste any time praying (except to ask God for forgiveness), because God will not listen. Jesus Christ established the lines of communication in giving us the freedom to ask in His name (John 16:24; 14:14; 15:7; Hebrews 4:16). I tell my son and daughter that God’s communication line is never busy for them. Neither is it busy for you!
2. Answers our prayers when we pray with faith and according to His will (Luke 22:42; 1 John 5:14,15). God always responds to our prayers and supplications. There are three possibilities: (1) He says yes and gives what we ask. (2) He says no and does not give what we ask. (3) He also says wait. To wait is the most difficult of His answers because it takes time, and we do not like to wait. He loves us, and as our Father, He always wants the best for us. Give Him praise and thanksgiving for how He answers your prayers even if you do not like it!
Reveals His will to us through His Word (the Bible), and through the Holy Spirit, who gives us conviction of sin and confirms God’s desires in our heart. God reveals Himself through Christian counseling, through the closing of one door and the opening of another, through personal conviction that He alone gives us, and through His provisions as we follow the steps that He outlines.
Restores the heart by giving us peace when we did not have any (Psalm 23:3; John 14:27). He encourages us when we find ourselves in need of hope; He restores our strength when we are weak in spirit (Matthew 5:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9). He restores us when we feel insecure, by giving us the desire to trust in Him as He reveals His presence in our lives.
Reconciles broken relationships as we pray for the needs of others, and as we pray for those who offend us. When a person who loves God prays for someone who has offended him/her, the one who prays can never hate or be resentful because you can’t hate someone you’re wholeheartedly praying for! God also reconciles us to Himself when we sin and we come to Him in prayer, confessing our sin. We are reconciled when we come to Him and ask for forgiveness, and He gives us the honor of His presence.
Rescues His sheep—us! When by faith we pray and ask Christ to come into our hearts and to cleanse us from all sin, accepting Him as Lord and Savior, God rescues us from an existence in hell. God gives us eternal life through the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. He rescues us by giving us His grace. Even though we are all sinners, Christ, who never sinned, offered His life and died for all of us (1 Peter 3:18). God rescues those who cry for help in prayer by means of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 10:9,10).
Gives rest. The soul finds rest in Him. Prayer gives us joy, but only God gives real joy. God gives us happiness through our families, our possessions, our friends and more, but He alone gives genuine joy. He gives us rest as we put everything in His hands in prayer. He gives us rest when we come to Him and pour out everything and leave it at His feet (Matthew 11:28-30). He gives us rest when we find assurance of salvation, knowing that nothing or no one can snatch away our salvation or separate us from God (Romans 8:38-39). We find rest when we realize that God’s prayer line is and always will be open between Him and us. It is something that has no comparison! Christ Jesus opened the communication line permanently (John 10:9; Hebrews 7:25). This rest makes us more transparent to confess our sins and to desire to remain in His presence in prayer.
Prayer is a need so that Christians can survive daily. Prayer is not an option because it helps us depend on God and to come closer to Him. Do not let a day go by without getting in touch with God and asking Him for wisdom to know His will for your life.
Clara E. Molina lives in Fort Worth, Texas. This article is based on a workshop that she leads for Tarrant County Baptist Association UFM.
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John T
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11/19/2011 20:05 |
Hi RaceGirl,
Absolutely! They're available here:
http://dailyaudiobible.org/Groups/1000043434/Daily_Audio_Bible/Resources/Resources.aspx
John
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RaceGirl
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11/19/2011 20:14 |
Yea I found that...but that just plays it on my computer. I can't find a way to save it to my computer so I can put it on my iPod. That's what I'm really looking for. Darnit!
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John T
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11/19/2011 20:16 |
They can be saved with a downloader or by right clicking and selecting "Save Target as" or the equivalent. Enjoy!
John
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Joyce
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11/19/2011 20:31 |
Racegirl, let me try and walk you through it because I couldn't figure it out at first either. Like John said if you right click and then just "save target as" and then click save again it will show up in itunes. Sorry John I just thought I'd ad a little more because I know I still would have been lost. Somewhat technically challenged.:)
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