| The Prayer Motivator Devotional Episodes | Date | |
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| PLAY | Samuel Chadwick said, "Hurry is the death of prayer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #247) | May 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 18:1 which reads: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Calvin. He said, "To know God as the Master and Bestower of all good things, who invites us to request them of Him, and still not go to Him and ask of Him – this would be of as little profit as for a man to neglect a treasure, buried and hidden in the earth, after it had been pointed out to him." |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 11 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #306) | May 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: This instance with Elijah of the extraordinary efficacy of prayer is recorded for encouragement even to ordinary Christians to be instant and earnest in prayer. God never says to any of the seed of Jacob, Seek my face in vain. If Elijah by prayer could do such great and wonderful things, surely the prayers of no righteous man shall return void. Where there may not be so much of a miracle in God’s answering our prayers, yet there may be as much of grace. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John MacNaughtan. He said: "[Prayer] is generally neglected; just as if the clear statements of Scripture regarding the potency, the almost miraculous efficacy of prayer, were designed as a pillow on which the church might slumber, rather than as a mighty stimulus to rouse to heroic achievements and urge on to glorious efforts in the cause of the Redeemer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 11 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Years ago at Marquette Manor Baptist Church in Chicago, a young man came forward wanting to be saved. He was from Tennessee where they were accustomed to the mourners' bench and to long waiting on God and begging God for salvation. His mother had shouted when she was saved; he, too, felt he must shout or he would not know he was saved. I told him that he only had to trust Christ. Then I asked dear Mr. Frank Sheriff of the Christian Business Men's Committee to take the Bible and show the young man how to be saved. They went to the inquiry room and spent a good long while together. After the services this young man came back with Mr. Sheriff. The Bible had done its blessed work. He shook my hand and said, "Brother Rice, I don't feel like I wanted to feel, but the Bible says I am saved!" You may be sure he was saved. When he trusted in Christ, he got everlasting life. If he went on to serve the Lord and win souls, and grow in grace, he had all the joy and blessed emotion that he needed. But the emotional crisis is not the sure proof of salvation. Simple trusting in Christ's Word, in His blood, in His love, in His atonement, is the one sure way to be saved. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray" |
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| PLAY | D.L. Moody said, "Next to the wonder of seeing my Savior will be, I think, the wonder that I made so little use of the power of prayer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #246) | May 15, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 15:16 which reads: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Ole Hallesby. He said, "Helplessness united with faith produces prayer, for without faith there can be no prayer." |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 10 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #305) | May 15, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The power of prayer is here proved from the success of Elijah. This may be encouraging to us even in common cases, if we consider that Elijah was a man of like passions with us. He was a zealous good man and a very great man, but he had his infirmities, and was subject to disorder in his passions as well as others. In prayer we must not look to the merit of man, but to the grace of God. Only in this we should copy after Elijah, that he prayed earnestly, or, as it is in the original, in prayer he prayed. It is not enough to say a prayer, but we must pray in prayer. Our thoughts must be fixed, our desires firm and ardent, and our graces in exercise; and, when we thus pray in prayer, we shall speed in prayer. Elijah prayed that it might not rain; and God heard him in his pleading against an idolatrous persecuting country, "so that it rained not on the earth for the space of three years and six months. Again he prayed, and the heaven gave rain." Thus you see prayer is the key which opens and shuts heaven. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from D.A. Carson. He said: "What is both surprising and depressing is the sheer prayerlessness that characterizes so much of the Western church. It is surprising, because it is out of step with the Bible that portrays what Christian living should be; it is depressing, because it frequently coexists with abounding Christian activity that somehow seems hollow, frivolous and superficial." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 10 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. So we see that the Bible promises never picture salvation as a long, drawn-out process of those who plead long enough, who mourn long enough, who persist until they touch the heart of a careless and indifferent God. By all the promises of the Bible, the sinner who turns in his heart to trust Christ is instantly saved. So praying through for a lost sinner is never necessary to his salvation. Do not misunderstand me. I did not say that those who wait long before God and pray much never get saved. I am sure that they often do. But they never get saved until they trust. And if they had put the trusting at the first end of their pleading instead of at the last end, they would have been saved at once, and would have saved all that delay, that sinful rejection of Christ while they pleaded. The one sure and blessed way to be saved is to take God's Word for it that when you in your heart turn from sin to trust in Christ Jesus, you already have everlasting life. + Plus, listen to Jessy Dixon singing "I Know What Prayer Can Do" |
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| PLAY | C.H. Spurgeon said, "Desires are the soul and life of prayer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #245) | May 14, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 15:16 which reads: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Ole Hallesby. He said, "Helplessness united with faith produces prayer, for without faith there can be no prayer." |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 9 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #304) | May 14, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The great advantage and efficacy of prayer are declared and proved: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," whether he pray for himself or for others: witness the example of Elias. He who prays must be a righteous man; not righteous in an absolute sense (for this Elias was not, who is here made a pattern to us), but righteous in a gospel sense; not loving nor approving of any iniquity. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer." Further, the prayer itself must be a fervent, in-wrought, well-wrought prayer. It must be a pouring out of the heart to God; and it must proceed from a faith unfeigned. Such prayer avails much. It is of great advantage to ourselves, it may be very beneficial to our friends, and we are assured of its being acceptable to God. It is good having those for friends whose prayers are available in the sight of God. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said: "The great Heavenly Banker will not cash checks for us if our motives are not right. Is not this why so many fail in prayer? Christ’s name is the revelation of His character. To pray “in His name” is to pray in His character, as His representative sent by Him: it is to pray by His Spirit and according to His will; to have His approval in our asking, to seek what He seeks, to ask help to do what He Himself would wish to be done, and to desire to do it not for our own glorification, but for His glory alone. To pray “in His name” we must have identity of interests and purpose. Self and its aims and desires must be entirely controlled by God’s Holy Spirit, so that our wills are in complete harmony with Christ’s will." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 9 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. In Romans 10:13 we are told, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." But to call, in the sense of that verse, simply means to call once. It is not a prolonged begging and pleading. Nothing like that is taught in that verse or any other Bible verse. The soul that asks Jesus for mercy gets it. The very asking is simple evidence of the faith in the heart, a willingness to receive what God has long been offering the sinner. It is not that any certain outward calling is necessary to salvation, for it is not. Rather, one who calls on the Lord shows, proves he has trusted. In the following verse, Romans 10:14 explains, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?" One who calls on Christ has already trusted Him, and the calling is simply the evidence and proof of the faith that instantly saves. The one who calls has already trusted. Again, a similar thought is involved in the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:32, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." One who claims Christ is saved. Certainly, it does not take long to own or claim Christ. Again, it is not the confession that saves. Joseph of Arimathaea was a disciple of Christ, and was saved, though he was a secret disciple and had never openly confessed Christ. Confession does not save. Rather, it is the proof that one has trusted Christ in the heart. As little time as it takes a poor sinner to claim Christ as Saviour, in less time than that he has looked to the Saviour, trusted Him in the heart, and has been saved. + Plus, listen to Daniel White |
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| PLAY | The Kneeling Christian said, "Unless the heart is right the prayer must be wrong." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #244) | May 11, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Zechariah 4:6, which reads: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Jeremy Taylor. He said, "Easiness of desire is a great enemy to the success of a good man's prayer. It must be an intent, zealous, busy, operative prayer. For consider what a huge indecency it is that a man should speak to God for a thing that he values not. Our prayers upbraid our spirits when we beg tamely for those things for which we ought to die. Things which are more precious than Imperial Scepters, richer than the spoils of the sea or the treasures of the Indian hills." |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 8 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #303) | May 11, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Samuel 1:10 and 15 which reads: “And [Hannah] was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore...And Hannah answered [Eli] and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Hannah mingled tears with her prayers; she considered the mercy of our God, who knows the troubled soul. God gives us leave, in prayer, not only to ask good things in general, but to mention that special good thing we most need and desire...Hannah went away with satisfaction of mind. She had herself by prayer committed her case to God, and Eli had prayed for her. Prayer is heart's ease to a gracious soul. Prayer will smooth the countenance; it should do so. None will long remain miserable, who use aright the privilege of going to the mercy-seat of a reconciled God in Christ Jesus. Our prayer motivator quote today is from an John Stott. He said: "Because [prayer for the church] is secret and therefore unrewarded by men, we shall only undertake it if we long for their spiritual welfare more than for their thanks." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 8 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Many other Scriptures which deal with the plan of salvation make it clear that it is instantaneous. For instance, John 6:37 says, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." That coming is by faith, of course, a believing act of the heart. It is another way of saying the same thing. But it does not say, "Him that cometh and keeps on coming and keeps on coming unto me, I will in no wise cast out." No! There is no time element in that coming. The instant a sinner in his heart comes to God, he has salvation. Just so in John 1:12, which says, "As many as received him", were saved. And the receiving is simply to say "yes" to Jesus and let Him come into the heart. It could not possibly require any prolonged process. When the door is unlocked, the Saviour comes in. When the heart says "yes", the Saviour does what He has longed to do and has been begging to be allowed to do. + Plus, listen to Daitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | Someone said, "Prayer meetings were the arteries of the early church. Through them, life-sustaining power was derived." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #243) | May 10, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John MacArthur. He said, "Prayer is the spontaneous response of the believing heart to God. Those truly transformed by Jesus Christ find themselves lost in wonder and joy of communion with Him. Prayer is as natural for the Christian as breathing." |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 7 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #302) | May 10, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 3:12 which reads: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: This verse shows that Christians need not fear that patient inoffensive behaviour as is prescribed will invite and encourage the cruelty of their enemies, for God will thereby be engaged on their side: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous." He takes special notice of them, exercises a providential constant government over them, and bears a special respect and affection to them. "His ears are open to their prayers;" so that if any injuries be offered to them they have this remedy, they may complain of it to their heavenly Father, whose ears are always attentive to the prayers of his servants in their distresses, and who will certainly aid them against their unrighteous enemies. "But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil;" his anger, and displeasure, and revenge, will pursue them; for he is more an enemy to wicked persecutors than men are. We observe here that God hath a special care and paternal affection towards all his righteous people and He doth always hear the prayers of the faithful. Though God is infinitely good, yet he abhors impenitent sinners, and will pour out his wrath upon those that do evil. He will do himself right, and do all the world justice; and his goodness is no obstruction to his doing so. Our prayer motivator quote today is from an Jerry Bridges. He said: "Prayer assumes the sovereignty of God. If God is not sovereign, we have no assurance that He is able to answer our prayers. Our prayers would become nothing more than wishes. But while God’s sovereignty, along with his wisdom and love, is the foundation of our trust in Him, prayer is the expression of that trust." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 7 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. BIBLE PROOF TEXTS THAT A SINNER NEED NEVER PRAY THROUGH TO BE SAVED There are two kinds of proof in the Bible that a sinner need never pray through in order to be saved. First, the plain precepts showing the plan of salvation. Again the Scriptures make it clear that instant salvation is available to those who believe. Consider the following: John 1:12 states, " But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:18 states, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:36 states, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 5:24 states, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 6:40 states, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:47 states, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." Acts 10:43 states, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 13:39 states, "And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which |
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| PLAY | George Muller said, "Public prayer will never make up for closet communion." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #242) | May 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is Psalm 118:5 which reads: "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J.C. Ryle. He said, "Personal working for souls is good. Giving money is good. But praying is best of all. By prayer we reach Him without whom work and money are alike in vain. We obtain the aid of the Holy Spirit. Money can hire workers. Universities can give learning. Congregations may elect. Bishops may ordain. But the Holy Spirit alone can make ministers of the Gospel, and raise up lay workmen in the spiritual harvest, who need not be ashamed. Never, never may we forget that if we would do good to the world, our first duty is to pray!" |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #301) | May 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 27:8 which reads: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We notice from this verse the kind of invitation of a gracious God to this duty: "Thou saidst, Seek you my face;" it is not only permission, but a precept; and his commanding us to seek implies a promise of finding; for he is too kind to say, "Seek you me in vain." God calls us to seek his face in our conversion to him and in our converse with him. He calls us, by the whispers of his Spirit to and with our spirits, to seek his face; he calls us by his word, by the stated returns of opportunities for his worship, and by special providences, merciful and afflictive. When we are foolishly making our court to lying vanities God is, in love to us, calling us in him to seek our own mercies. We notice the ready compliance of a gracious soul with this invitation. The call is immediately returned: "My heart answered, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." The call was general; "Seek you my face;’’ but, like David, we must apply it to ourselves, "I will seek it.’’ The word does us no good when we transfer it to others, and do not ourselves accept the exhortation. The call was, "Seek you my face;" the answer is express, "Thy face, Lord, will I seek." Behold, Lord, we come unto thee. Our prayer motivator quote today is from an Unknown Author. He said: "The simple fact is, we are too vague and, as a consequence, too indifferent in our prayers and prayer meetings. We do not seem like people asking for what they want, and waiting for what they ask. This is what destroys our prayer meetings, rendering them pithless, pointless, powerless; turning them into teaching or talking meetings, rather than deep-toned, earnest prayer meetings." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 6 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. The truth is that no sinner ever sought God but that God had been seeking him long before. No sinner ever became willing to be saved but that God was willing all the time, even while the sinner was yet a rebel. If God has already provided for the salvation of every sinner who will trust Christ, and if He has freely offered salvation and promised it instantly to those who trust Christ, then a sinner can be instantly saved; and there is never any reason for a sinner to delay salvation a moment. In fact, persistent praying and mourning and pleading on the part of a sinner are sometimes outright sin. It is a human substitution for the one thing God commanded him to do. God commands that the sinner repent. And that means, not a long period of penance, as Roman Catholics translate the word in their Bible, but an instant turning of heart from sin to Christ. God commands that every sinner everywhere look to Jesus and be saved. And if you spend your time pleading instead of accepting freely what God has already offered, you not only disobey God, but you make Him a liar, indicating He is unwilling to give what He has plainly promised. The only way a lost sinner can obey the Lord in this matter is to trust Christ instantly and depend on Him for salvation, believing that He does, yea, has already done, what He promised to do, as soon as the sinner trusts in Him. In Dallas, Texas, in an open air revival one night a number of people came to trust in Christ. They came to the front to take my hand, after a clear Bible message, and after the invitation had made it insistently plain that they were simply to turn their hearts from sin and trust in Christ for salvation and a new heart and everlasting life. Those who came forward were dealt with by me personally. In a few words I probed into their hearts the best I could to see that they came admitting they we |
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| PLAY | J.B. Johnston said, "The prayer meeting furnishes a very accurate discriminating test of character. The live Christian loves its enjoyments; the spiritually dead have no delights there." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #241) | May 8, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Psalm 56:9 which reads: “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Henry T. Blackaby. He said, "All revival begins, and continues, in the prayer meeting. Some have also called prayer the "great fruit of revival." In times of revival, thousands may be found on their knees for hours, lifting up their heartfelt cries, with thanksgiving, to heaven." |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #300) | May 8, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 27:8 which reads: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David expresses his desire towards God, in many petitions. If he cannot now go up to the house of the Lord, yet, wherever he is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer. He humbly bespeaks, because he firmly believes he shall have, a gracious audience: "Hear, O Lord, when I cry, not only with my heart, but, as one in earnest, with my voice too.’’ He bespeaks also an answer of peace, which he expects, not from his own merit, but God’s goodness: "Have mercy upon me, and answer me." If we pray and believe, God will graciously hear and answer. He takes hold of the kind invitation God had given him to this duty. It is presumption for us to come into the presence of the King of kings uncalled, nor can we draw near with any assurance unless he hold forth to us the golden sceptre. David therefore going to pray fastens, in his thoughts, upon the call God had given him to the throne of his grace, and reverently touches, as it were, the top of the golden sceptre which was thereby held out to him. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from J.B. Johnson. He said: "The prayer meeting answers to this demand of the spiritual brotherhood, with more exclusiveness and direct fitness than any other ordinance of religious worship… There is a power in conferring and covenanting, on the part of kindred spirits, to come before God, and plead together some special promise… The prayer meeting is a divine ordinance, founded in man’s social nature… The prayer meeting is a special means of developing and cultivating Christian graces, and of promoting individual and social edification." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. There is no special way a person has to feel in order to be saved. There is no special experience one has to go through emotionally in order to be saved. One who believes in Christ, in the sense of committal, dependence, trust, is already born again. Thus some people are saved who do not remember any emotional crisis and cannot prove by their experience emotionally that they are saved. People often say, "I know I am saved because I was there when it happened." That sounds good, but that is not the Bible way to tell that you are saved. I was there when I was born the first time, too, but I do not remember anything about it. I would not know the day I was born, nor who my father was, nor who my mother was, nor who the doctor was, nor how much I weighed, from the simple fact that I was there when it happened. No, the truth of the matter is that I took Mother's word for it. She cherished the day carefully, and it was she who taught me to call her "Mama," and to call my daddy "Papa," and to remember December 11th as my birthday. So I take my first birth and the details about it on the authority of one who knows. And that is the only sure way to know about the second birth, too. God's Word tells me that if I trusted Him, I am saved, forgiven. And that is the sure evidence. To be sure, I later found that there were certain physical similarities and mental and spiritual similarities between my mother and my father and me. I have evidence within me that I am their child. And so a Christian may have evidence in his own heart that there has been a change, that he is born again. But he must not depend upon his own observation nor opinions in such matters. Let him have the twofold witness: first, from the Word of God that when he trusts Christ he is saved; and second, of this Holy Spirit within him that tells him his sin is f |
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| PLAY | Someone once said, "Even though we may not take part audibly in the action, yet if we are there in a right spirit – there really to wait upon God, we marvelously help the tone of a meeting." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #239) | May 7, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is 1 Samuel 12:23 which reads: "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.W. Tozer. He said, "The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos; the church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray." |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #299) | May 7, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 27:8 which reads: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David expresses his desire towards God, in many petitions. If he cannot now go up to the house of the Lord, yet, wherever he is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer. He humbly bespeaks, because he firmly believes he shall have, a gracious audience: "Hear, O Lord, when I cry, not only with my heart, but, as one in earnest, with my voice too.’’ He bespeaks also an answer of peace, which he expects, not from his own merit, but God’s goodness: "Have mercy upon me, and answer me." If we pray and believe, God will graciously hear and answer. He takes hold of the kind invitation God had given him to this duty. It is presumption for us to come into the presence of the King of kings uncalled, nor can we draw near with any assurance unless he hold forth to us the golden sceptre. David therefore going to pray fastens, in his thoughts, upon the call God had given him to the throne of his grace, and reverently touches, as it were, the top of the golden sceptre which was thereby held out to him. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from J.B. Johnson. He said: "The prayer meeting answers to this demand of the spiritual brotherhood, with more exclusiveness and direct fitness than any other ordinance of religious worship… There is a power in conferring and covenanting, on the part of kindred spirits, to come before God, and plead together some special promise… The prayer meeting is a divine ordinance, founded in man’s social nature… The prayer meeting is a special means of developing and cultivating Christian graces, and of promoting individual and social edification." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. There is no special way a person has to feel in order to be saved. There is no special experience one has to go through emotionally in order to be saved. One who believes in Christ, in the sense of committal, dependence, trust, is already born again. Thus some people are saved who do not remember any emotional crisis and cannot prove by their experience emotionally that they are saved. People often say, "I know I am saved because I was there when it happened." That sounds good, but that is not the Bible way to tell that you are saved. I was there when I was born the first time, too, but I do not remember anything about it. I would not know the day I was born, nor who my father was, nor who my mother was, nor who the doctor was, nor how much I weighed, from the simple fact that I was there when it happened. No, the truth of the matter is that I took Mother's word for it. She cherished the day carefully, and it was she who taught me to call her "Mama," and to call my daddy "Papa," and to remember December 11th as my birthday. So I take my first birth and the details about it on the authority of one who knows. And that is the only sure way to know about the second birth, too. God's Word tells me that if I trusted Him, I am saved, forgiven. And that is the sure evidence. To be sure, I later found that there were certain physical similarities and mental and spiritual similarities between my mother and my father and me. I have evidence within me that I am their child. And so a Christian may have evidence in his own heart that there has been a change, that he is born again. But he must not depend upon his own observation nor opinions in such matters. Let him have the twofold witness: first, from the Word of God that when he trusts Christ he is saved; and second, of this Holy Spirit within him that tells him his sin is f |
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| PLAY | Melvin Tinker said, "Prayer is very hard work, why else is the prayer meeting the worst attended meeting in any church? For that is where the battle is." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #238) | May 4, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Proverbs 28:9 which reads: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said, "We feel sure that the weakness in the spiritual life of many churches is to be traced to an inefficient prayer-meeting, or the absence of meetings for prayer. Daily matins and evensong, even when reverent and without the unseemly haste which is so often associated with them, cannot take the place of less formal gatherings for prayer, in which everyone may take part. Can we not make the weekly prayer-meeting a live thing and a living force?" |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #298) | May 4, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Zechariah 13:9 which reads: "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: When Jerusalem and Judea were destroyed, all the Christians in that country, having among them the warning Christ gave them to flee to the mountains, shifted for their own safety, and were sheltered in a city called Pella, on the other side Jordan. We have here first the trials and then the triumphs of the Christian church, and of all the faithful members of it. Their trials: "I will bring that third part through the fire of affliction. and will refine and try them as silver and gold are refined and tried." This was fulfilled in the persecutions of the primitive church, the fiery trial which tried the people of God then. Those whom God sets apart for himself must pass through a probation and purification in this world; they must be tried that their faith may be found to praise and honour, as Abraham’s faith was when it was tried by the command given him to offer up Isaac - God said to him, "Now know I that thou fearest me." They must be tried, that both those that are perfect and those that are not may be made manifest. They must be refined from their dross; their corruption must be purged out; they must be brightened and bettered. We notice also their triumphs. Their communion with God is their triumph: "They shall call on my name, and I will hear them." They write to God by prayer, and receive from him answers of peace, and thus keep up a comfortable communion with him. This honour have all his saints. Their covenant with God is their triumph: "I will say, It is my people, whom I have chosen and loved, and will own; and they shall say, the Lord is my God, and a God all-sufficient to me; and in me they shall boast every day and all the day long. This God is our God for ever and ever.’’ Our prayer motivator quote today is from A.W. Tozer. He said: "The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos; the church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. I believe the invitation we ought to give sinners is that they should trust Christ with their whole heart, turning from sin honestly, then claiming Christ openly as Saviour. And we ought to make it clear, as the Bible does from one end to the other, that the very instant a sinner turns from his rebellion and trusts in Christ, he is saved already and has everlasting life. I think that inquiry rooms are sometimes useful. It is good for a Christian worker to take the Bible and after a sinner trusts Christ to show him the sweet assurances of God's Word that he is saved when he trusts Christ. Certainly it is wise to use the Word of God with unconverted sinners and show them that if they will penitently and honestly trust Christ, He will instantly save them. But the whole idea of mourning in order to be saved, of long seeking after God before He will hear and forgive, is utterly unscriptural. It dishonors God. It beclouds the plan of salvation. It exalts man, man's feelings, man's experience, and man's profession, instead of exalting God's marvelous grace to save any sinner instantly on the first turning in childlike faith. I find often that if churches have an alt |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #297) | May 3, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:14 which reads: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here we have, a privilege belonging to faith in Christ, namely, audience in prayer: "This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us". The Lord Christ emboldens us to come to God in all circumstances, with all our supplications and requests. Through him our petitions are admitted and accepted of God. The matter of our prayer must be agreeable to the declared will of God. It is not fit that we should ask what is contrary either to his majesty and glory or to our own good, who are his and dependent on him. And then we may have confidence that the prayer of faith shall be heard in heaven. We also have the advantage accruing to us by such privilege: "If we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him". Great are the deliverances, mercies, and blessings, which the holy petitioner needs. To know that his petitions are heard or accepted is as good as to know that they are answered; and therefore that he is so pitied, pardoned, or counselled, sanctified, assisted, and saved (or shall be so) as he is allowed to ask of God. Our prayer motivator quote today is from R.W. Church. He said: "Here in His holy House of Prayer we may come on our day of rest, and be safe, if we will, from any thoughts but those of the world to come. Here we gather together for no earthly business, but for a purpose of one sort only; and that purpose is the same for which saints and angels are met together in that innumerable company before the throne of God. If there is a place on earth which, however faintly and dimly, shadows out the courts of God on high, surely it is where His people are met together, in all their weakness and ignorance and sin, in their poor and low estate, yet with humble and faithful hearts, in His House of Prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Sinners Never Need to Pray Through to Be Saved. Trusting Christ Gets Instant Salvation Without Begging. The "praying through" doctrine is certainly out of place when applied to the plan of salvation. Some people teach that in order to be saved, a sinner needs to wait on God and pray and weep and mourn. The theory is that if one prays long enough and earnestly enough, God will finally hear his prayer and save him. Such people use the term "getting through to God." They tell how sinners "weep their way through," or how they "pray through" and finally gain the victory and God saves them. And Christian workers who think in such terms urge sinners to keep on praying until they get saved. And if one makes a bright profession, then they say that he "came through gloriously." Such good people often have what they call a mourner's bench or an altar where sinners are asked to kneel and pray. I remember in my boyhood hearing a good Baptist preacher say, "I guarantee that if you will come to the mourner's bench three nights in succession, you will be saved." No such guarantee is found, of course, in the Bible. I can guarantee something far better than that. If you will trust Jesus Christ the tenth part of a second, committing yourself to Him, He will save you. In fact, the tenth part of a second is too slow for the way God really saves a sinner who trusts Him. This idea of sinners "praying through" for salvation is utterly foreign to the Bible. It is unscriptural, hurtful, and wrong. I do not mind having sinners put in words their acceptance of Christ as Saviour. I do not mind if a sinner wants to pray a |
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| PLAY | Derek Prime said, "Christians who neglect corporate prayer are like soldiers who leave their front-line comrades in the lurch." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #237) | May 3, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is James 4:8 which reads: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "What a company we have here tonight! It fills my heart with gladness, and my eyes with tears of joy, to see so many hundreds of persons gathered together at what is sometimes wickedly described as “only a prayer meeting.” It is good for us to draw night unto God in prayer, and specially good to make up a great congregation for such a purpose. We have attended little prayer meetings of four or five, and we have been glad to be there, for we had the promise of our Lord’s presence; but our minds are grieved to see so little attention given to united prayer by many of our churches. We have longed to see great numbers of God’s people coming up to pray, and we now enjoy this sight. Let us praise God that it is so. How could we expect a blessing if we were too idle to ask for it? How could we look for a Pentecost if we never met with one accord, in one place, to wait upon the Lord? Brethren, we shall never see much change for the better in our churches in general till the prayer meeting occupies a higher place in the esteem of Christians." |
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| PLAY | Leonard Ravenhill said, "This much is sure in all churches, forgetting party labels; the smallest meeting numerically is the prayer-meeting. If weak in prayer we are weak everywhere." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #237) | May 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 80:18 which reads: "So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He said, "I have known men…who have been utterly, entirely orthodox, but the churches to which they belonged not only did not have prayer meetings, but they did not believe in prayer meetings. You could not wish for anything better from the standpoint of orthodoxy, but they do not believe in prayer meetings. Prayer has very little place in their lives. Now while they may be orthodox, I take leave to suggest that they are not truly evangelical. This element of prayer is essential to the evangelical; it is his life; it is vital to him." |
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| PLAY | Praying Through, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #296) | May 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 86:7 which reads: "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David was in a special manner earnest with God in prayer when he was in affliction: "In the day of my trouble, whatever others do, I will call upon thee, and commit my case to thee, for thou wilt hear and answer me, and I shall not seek in vain, as those did who cried, O Baal! hear us; but there was no voice, nor any that regarded." It is thus our duty to pray always, without ceasing, and to continue instant in prayer; and then we may hope to have our prayers heard which we make in the time of trouble, if we have made conscience of the duty at other times, at all times. It is comfortable if an affliction finds the wheels of prayer a-going, and that they are not then to be set a-going. Our prayer motivator quote today is from J.F. Cowan. He said: "No amount of good talking can make a good prayer-meeting. The impression prevails in some quarters that little homilies, pious exhortations, interesting anecdotes with a religious bearing, and well-selected quotations from popular religious writers are of equal value with prayer in a prayer-meeting. This cannot be true. In the former case we are talking among ourselves. It may be very edifying and helpful; but in the latter instance we are doing business directly with God. An ounce of believing prayer is worth a ton of edifying talk, if the Scriptures are good authority. To be sure, no prayer-meeting leader should object to a personal testimony, or to any contribution calculated to edify, but at the same time there is great need, in the average prayer-meeting, of developing the volume of prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "PRAYING THROUGH" from Dr. John R. Rice. No lost sinner ever need to "pray through" to be saved. Trusting in Christ brings instant salvation. Christians, however, should "pray through" about many things. The preacher, wise King Solomon at Jerusalem, wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted." That saying is true. A thing which is proper at one time may not be proper at another time. When we speak of "praying through," different people, according to their background and experience, think of two entirely different things. One group thinks of a sinner mourning and begging God for salvation until after long hours of prayer, perhaps, he "gets through to God," as people say. Others, when we speak of "praying through," think of one who is already a Christian taking his burdens to God and waiting until he gets the answer to his prayers. The term "praying through" means entirely different things to different people. We will discuss both meanings in light of the Word of God in our next broadcast. + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Sinner's Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Vance Havner said, "The thermometer of a church is its prayer meeting.." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #236) | May 1, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:26, which reads: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Sanders. He said, "The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. But Scripture and experience combine to teach that the united prayers of many righteous accomplish still more." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 22 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #295) | May 1, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 65:2 which reads: "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David gives God glory for hearing prayer. Praise waits for thee; and why is it so ready? "Because thou art ready to grant our petitions. O thou that hearest prayer! thou canst answer every prayer, for thou art able to do for us more than we are able to ask or think, and thou wilt answer every prayer of faith, either in kind or kindness.’’ It is much for the glory of God’s goodness, and the encouragement of ours, that he is a God hearing prayer, and has taken it among the titles of his honour to be so; and we are much wanting to ourselves if we do not take all occasions to give him his title. Because, for that reason, we are ready to run to him when we are in our straits. "Therefore, because thou art a God hearing prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come; justly does every man’s praise wait for thee, because every man’s prayer waits on thee when he is in want or distress, whatever he does at other times. Now only the seed of Israel come to thee, and the proselytes to their religion; but, when thy house shall be called a house of prayer to all people, then unto thee shall all flesh come, and be welcome." To him let us come, and come boldly, because he is a God that hears prayer. Our prayer motivator quote today is from A.T. Pierson. He said: "From the day of Pentecost, there has been not one great spiritual awakening in any land which has not begun in a union of prayer, though only among two or three. And no such outward, upward movement has continued after such prayer meetings have declined. It is in exact proportion to the maintenance of such joint and believing supplication and intercession that the Word of the Lord in any land or locality has had free course and been glorified." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 22 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Sometimes a hasty prayer does not seem to bring results. One may go on through the little forms of thanksgiving at the table, and of public formal prayer, but give any Christian a half-night alone with God, or a day of fasting and prayer, and as sure as his heart wants things made right, all the things that grieve God will be brought to light. The Spirit will help the honest Christian to judge them, to confess them and forsake them. Oh, it is wonderful how prayer --- I mean honest, surrendered, loving, persistent prayer --- can remove every hindrance between man and God and cure all the ills of our poor frail Christian lives. Enough prayer, just so it be an honest and sincere prayer to God, really seeking God, can cure all hindrances and meet all God's requirements for getting His blessing! You may need to leave the place of prayer, "leave there thy gift before the altar," to be reconciled to a brother before you finish the prayer. Or you may, like Zacchaeus sliding down the tree into the presence of Jesus, make solemn vows that you will restore fourfold all you have gotten by false accusations, and to give half you get to the poor. But nevertheless, the place to settle that is in the presence of Christ, and nowhere else! So if you want anything from God, JUST PRAY! I would not wait until I got everything fixed. I would not wait until I grew in faith. I would not wait until I had the victory. Come just as you are and pray. Keep on praying and waiting in God until God fixes all that is wrong, until God gives you the faith you need, until God modifies your prayer or increases it to fit His plan. What you really need is simply to pray and honestly seek God. Asking, continually asking, meets God's requirements and completes all the conditions that are neces |
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| PLAY | John Bunyan said, "The truths that I know best I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, till it is burned into my heart by prayer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #235) | April 30, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:2 which reads: "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Author Unknown. He said, "You can tell how popular a church is by who comes on Sunday morning. You can tell how popular the pastor or evangelist is by who comes on Sunday night. But you can tell how popular Jesus is by who comes to the prayer meeting." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 21 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #294) | April 30, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 145:18, which reads: “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: God is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people. In this appears the grace of his kingdom, that his subjects have not only liberty of petitioning, but all the encouragement that can be to petition. The grant is very rich, that God will be nigh to all that call upon him; he will be always within call of their prayers, and they shall always find themselves within reach of his help. If a neighbour that is near is better than a brother afar off, much more a God that is near. Nay, he will not only be nigh to them, that they may have the satisfaction of being heard, but he will fulfil their desires; they shall have what they ask and find that they seek. It was said that he satisfies the desire of every living thing, much more will he fulfil the desire of those that fear him; for he that feeds his birds will not starve his babes. He will hear their call and will save them; that is hearing them to purpose, as he heard David (that is, saved him) from the horn of the unicorn. The proviso is very reasonable. He will hear and help us, If we fear him, if we worship and serve him with a holy awe of him; for otherwise how can we expect that he should accept us? If we call upon him in truth; for he desires truth in the inward part. We must be faithful to God, and sincere in our professions of dependence on him, and devotedness to him. In all devotions inward impressions must be answerable to the outward expressions, else they are not performed in truth. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Erroll Hulse. He said: "Prayer [is] the genesis of revival. The beginning of a time of revival invariably has been marked by quickening of the ordinary prayer meetings, resulting in new vitality, more participation, more sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and more unction in intercession." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 21 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Nowhere in the world is the conscience so alive as in the place of prayer! How many, many times I have found that I did not know anything was wrong between me and God, I did not know He was grieved with me, until I began to pray. There the blessed Spirit of God began to point out the things that were wrong. Many others can live with their consciences all right, except when they try to pray! One dear woman told me, "Every time I've tried to pray for 14 years, God has seemed to say to me, 'What about that $800.00?'" She was left a widow and wickedly burned down her little home and collected $800.00 of insurance. Often she did not remember it, but every time she tried to pray, God brought that sin to remembrance! So if you really want to know what is wrong between you and God, draw near to Him and begin to pour out your heart. Ask Him for anything you want or need. Be honest with God and He will be honest with you. If there are things grieving His Spirit, if there are things that block His blessing, He will tell you so. He will reveal what it is. And where else would be a better place to have things made right than in the secret closet of prayer? Would you be as apt to have your evil lusts fixed while at the theater? Would your covetousness as likely be cured in the business house? Would your intemperate eating be most likely cured at the table, with many delicacies spread out temptingly before you? Would your hot anger best be overcome as you go to contend with your brother? No! The place to remedy whatever is wrong is at the place of prayer. Go wait before God. Open your heart honestly to the searchlight of the Holy Spirit. God's finger will surely press upon the sore spot, if you are honest and really want |
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| PLAY | Someone said, "Men of power are without exception men of prayer. God bestows His Holy Spirit in His fullness only on men of prayer. And it is through the operation of the Spirit that answers to prayer come." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #234) | April 27, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 15:7 which reads: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martin Lloyd-Jones. He said, "The ultimate test of my understanding of the scriptural teaching is the amount of time I spend in prayer. As theology is ultimately the knowledge of God, the more theology I know, the more it should drive me to seek to know God. Not to know "about" Him but to know Him! The whole object of salvation is to bring me to knowledge of God... If all my knowledge does not lead me to prayer there is something wrong somewhere." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 20 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #293) | April 27, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Chronicles 16:11 which reads: "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Let God be glorified in our praises; let his honour be the centre in which all the lines meet. Let us glorify him by our thanksgivings (Give thanks to the Lord), by our prayers (Call on his name), by our songs (Sing psalms unto him), and by our discourse—Talk of all his wondrous works. Those that give glory to God’s name [through prayer] are allowed to glory in it, to value themselves upon their relation to God and venture themselves upon his promise to them. Let the heart of those rejoice that seek the Lord, much more of those that have found him. Seek him, and his strength, and his face: that is, seek him by the ark of his strength, in which he manifests himself, [and hears and answers our prayers]. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said: John Bunyan says that he never forgot the divinity he taught, because it was burnt into him when he was on his knees. That is the way to learn the gospel. If you learn it upon your knees you will never unlearn it. That which “men” teach you, men can unteach you – if I am merely convinced by reason, a better reasoner may deceive me. If I merely hold my doctrinal opinions because they seem “to me” to be correct, I may be led to think differently another day. But if “God” has taught them to me – he who is himself pure truth – I have not learned amiss, but I have so learned that I shall never unlearn, nor shall I forget." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 20 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Can just praying get hindrances out of the way so God will hear our prayers? Yes, undoubtedly! Honest, earnest asking will lead to the cure of everything that is wrong with our prayers. We are told that wrong relationship between husband and wife hinders prayer in 1 Peter 3:1-7. Being unreconciled to our brother hinders prayer according to Matthew 5:23-24. So does unforgiveness in Matthew 6:12 and 15. Any sin, unrepented, unlamented, unforsaken, turns away God's face and hinders our prayers. And James 4:3 says, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." So it is quite clear that sometimes evil motives and covered sin make it so God cannot answer our prayers. In such cases, what shall we do? The answer again, first of all, is simply to pray! For there is something in praying that tends constantly to correct all the hindrances to prayer. Anyone who consciously, earnestly seeks God, has already turned in his heart toward the way out of his troubles. And if he will but follow it honestly and earnestly, he will be led out into the clear light of sweet fellowship with God and unhindered prayer! This is made quite clear by the teaching of our Saviour in Matthew 5:23-24: "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Did you notice the significant statement, "...and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee"? Where is it that your sins are brought to mind? Where is it that God will remind you of the hindrances to your prayers? In the very place of prayer itself! If you want God to show you what is wrong, then try to pray. At the very place where you come to talk to God, to make your gift to God, to ask God's blessing, there God is most likely to reveal the things that grieve Him. + Plus, listen to the Brian Free and Assuring singing "Praying Man: |
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| PLAY | Bill Thrasher said, "To pray in the Holy Spirit simply means to lean upon His divine help as we pray." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #233) | April 26, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 4:1 which reads: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said, "For the Holy Spirit is prayer's great Helper. We are incapable of ourselves to translate our real needs into prayer. The Holy Spirit does this for us. We cannot ask as we ought. The Holy Spirit does this for us. It is possible for unaided man to ask what is for our ill. The Holy Spirit can check this. No weak or trembling hand dare put in motion any mighty force. Can I – dare I – move the Hand that moves the universe? No! Unless the Holy Spirit has control of me." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 19 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #292) | April 26, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 86:7 which reads: "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David was in a special manner earnest with God in prayer when he was in affliction: "In the day of my trouble, whatever others do, I will call upon thee, and commit my case to thee, for thou wilt hear and answer me, and I shall not seek in vain, as those did who cried, O Baal! hear us; but there was no voice, nor any that regarded." It is thus our duty to pray always, without ceasing, and to continue instant in prayer; and then we may hope to have our prayers heard which we make in the time of trouble, if we have made conscience of the duty at other times, at all times. It is comfortable if an affliction finds the wheels of prayer a-going, and that they are not then to be set a-going. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Bill Thrasher. He said: "As we seek to obey the Spirit’s guidance in prayer, let me tell you what will often happen – nothing! But sometimes “nothing” means that the Spirit desires to slow us down and lead us into silence. Our society is addicted to noise, and for that reason we are often insensitive to the Spirit of God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 19 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. So I say that asking covers all the conditions, all the requirements to get things from God. Yes, to teach that we ought to be persistent in prayer is to teach the truth; but that is not all the truth. The full truth includes the fact that many, many times God hears those who pray about a matter only once, then drop it. The truth includes the fact that people oftentimes ask of God and in despair they give up and faint, but a merciful and kind God who loves His own frail and weak children does not forget as easily as we do; and He often gives the answer that was desired and longed for even when the one who prayed had ceased to expect it! How often I have prayed for something, then because of lack of faith, or because I had been overwhelmed, it seemed, with other duties or interests, I have dropped the prayer; then later the answer came and I hardly remembered at first that I had asked for the thing I was so glad to get! Oh, God does not answer us according to our merits but according to His grace! God is more faithful to answer than we are to ask. "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." He knows the desire of our heart, the earnest need, even though we do not have faith to expect it, or strength to continue praying. Persistence in prayer is fine. Oh, that we were more steadfast in daily taking to God all of our needs and claiming all of His bounties! Persistence is a part and parcel of asking. But even weak asking often gets great blessings from God. And when the Saviour gave us a wonderful promise about the answer that comes to persistent praying, He was not putting that as a limitation on prayer nor as the absolute minimum requirement. In that the Saviour was only making a broader promise for those who seemed not to have much faith, or for those who could not, they felt, ask wholly in Jesus' name, or who could not meet some other precious promise. This is simply another open door to God for those who feel they cannot enter in as well by some other promise. So if you want things from God, just pray; simply ask God! Earnest asking meets all God's requirements. + Plus, listen to the City Harmonic singing "Manifesto" |
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| PLAY | John Owen said, "He who prays as he ought will endeavor to live as he prays." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #232) | April 25, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 118:5 which reads: "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J.C. Ryle. He said, "What is the reason that some believers are so much brighter and holier than others? I believe the difference, in nineteen cases out of twenty, arises from different habits about private prayer. I believe that those who are not eminently holy pray little, and those who are eminently holy pray much." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 18 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #291) | April 25, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 119:145-146 which reads: "I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here we notice that David directed his prayer to God: "I cried unto thee." Whither should the child go but to his father when any thing ails him? The great thing he prayed for was salvation: "Save me." A short prayer (for we mistake if we think we shall be heard for our much speaking), but a comprehensive prayer: "Not only rescue me from ruin, but make me happy.’’ We need desire no more than God’s salvation and the things that accompany it. He was earnest for an answer; and not only looked up in his prayers, but looked up after them, to see what became of them: "Lord, hear me, and let me know that thou hearest me.’’ We also notice David’s good purposes, by which he bound himself to duty when he was in the pursuit of mercy. "I will keep thy statutes; I am resolved that by thy grace I will;’’ for, if we turn away our ear from hearing the law, we cannot expect an answer of peace to our prayers. This purpose is used as a humble plea: "Save me from my sins, my corruptions, my temptations, all the hindrances that lie in my way, that I may keep thy testimonies.’’ We must cry for salvation, not that we may have the ease and comfort of it, but that we may have an opportunity of serving God the more cheerfully. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said: "The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Power helpeth our infirmity in prayer. The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Life ends our deadness in prayer. The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Wisdom delivers us from ignorance in this holy art of prayer. The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Fire delivers us from coldness in prayer. The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Might comes to our aid in our weakness as we pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 18 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Persistence in prayer has the promise of an answer. Now in the parable of the unjust judge the widow troubled the ungodly judge so that finally he gave her her petition, as he said, "lest by her continual coming she weary me"; then promised, "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." Persistence in prayer has the promise of an answer. How many precious promises are given to those who wait upon the Lord. They shall not be ashamed, they shall inherit the earth, they shall renew their strength, and the Lord is good to them. And waiting certainly means persistence in prayer. All the instances in the Bible where people fasted and prayed are implied promises that if we continue stedfastly in prayer we, too, shall see the blessing. But is not persistence simply asking? Is it not simply praying and keeping on praying? There is no time limit on prayer. Sometimes the heart-cry in the fraction of a second is heard and answered. Sometimes people have waited on God for years before they got the desire of their hearts. But these cases all alike are covered by the blessed promise in Matthew 7:7-8 which reads, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." In fact, the very tense used here implies that one who persistently asks, and persistently seeks, and persistenly knocks, receives and finds and has God's door opened to him. So I say that asking covers all the conditions, all the requirements to get things from God. + Plus, lis |
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| PLAY | Someone once said, "No man can expect to make progress in holiness who is not often and long alone with God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #231) | April 24, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is I Timothy 2:8 which reads: "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Philip Graham Ryken. He said, "We need to learn how wrong it is to think of prayer as a way of getting something from God. People often think of prayer as a way of talking God into doing what they want Him to do. This is what lies behind "name it and claim it" Christianity, the idea that I can influence God by offering the right kind of prayer. But that attitude ultimately leads to hell. As C. S. Lewis once observed, 'There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell, choose it." Besides, why would anyone want to change God's mind? The Bible says that His will is "good, pleasing and perfect". Imagine what a mess our lives would be in if God always did what we wanted Him to do! For unlike God's will, our own wills are evil, displeasing, and imperfect." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 17 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #290) | April 24, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 119:145-146 which reads: "I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here we have, David’s good prayers, by which he sought to God for mercy; these he mentions here, not as boasting of them, or trusting to any merit in them, but reflecting upon them with comfort, that he had taken the appointed way to comfort. We observe here that he was inward with God in prayer; he prayed with his heart, and prayer is acceptable no further than the heart goes along with it. Lip-labour, if that be all, is lost labour. He was importunate with God in prayer; he cried, as one in earnest, with fervour of affection and a holy vehemence and vigour of desire. He cried with his whole heart; all the powers of his soul were not only engaged and employed, but exerted to the utmost, in his prayers. Then we are likely to speed when we thus strive and wrestle in prayer. We will discuss this verse further in our next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from William Barclay. He said: "We are trying not so much to make God listen to us as to make ourselves listen to him; we are trying not to persuade God to do what we want, but to find out what he wants us to do. It so often happens that in prayer we are really saying, “Thy will be changed,” when we ought to be saying, 'Thy will be done.' The first object of prayer is not so much to speak to God as to listen to him." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 17 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. The greatest answers to prayer in the Bible followed the petition of only one person. For example, at the faith and command of Joshua alone, the sun stood still in the heavens for about the space of a full day. Joshua 10:13 says, "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day." King Hezekiah alone prayed, even against the discouragement of the Prophet Isaiah and the revelation from God that he was to die. God heard him and added fifteen years to his life. Isaiah 38:5 reads, "Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years." Elijah alone in Israel prayed and it rained not for three years and six months. Again he prayed and it rained. Again he alone prayed and the fire came down from Heaven to burn up the sacrifice and turn the hearts of all Israel back to God. Peter put everybody out of the room and kneeled down by the body of Dorcas and prayed, and she was raised from the dead. Acts 9:40 says, "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up." Again and again in history, one person has prayed and God has done marvels. If others agree with you in prayer, that is blessed. If they do not, still all the resources of Heaven are at your command if you simply pray. Just ask God, and in this sincere, earnest asking, all God's conditions are met. + Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing "What If His People Prayed?" |
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| PLAY | Thomas Watson said, "Prayer delights God’s ear; it melts His heart; and opens His hand. God cannot deny a praying soul." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #230) | April 23, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Proverbs 28:9 which reads: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "In all states of dilemma or of difficulty, prayer is an available source. The ship of prayer may sail through all temptations, doubts and fears, straight up to the throne of God; and though she may be outward bound with only griefs, and groans, and sighs, she shall return freighted with a wealth of blessings!" |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 16 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #289) | April 23, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:26, which reads: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: According to the will of God, the Spirit in the heart never contradicts the Spirit in the word. Those desires that are contrary to the will of God do not come from the Spirit. The Spirit interceding in us evermore melts our wills into the will of God. "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." The sure success of these intercessions: "He that searches the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit." To a hypocrite, all whose religion lies in his tongue, nothing is more dreadful than that God searches the heart and sees through all his disguises. To a sincere Christian, who makes heart-work of his duty, nothing is more comfortable than that God searches the heart, for then he will hear and answer those desires which we want words to express. He knows what we have need of before we ask. He knows what is the mind of his own Spirit in us. And, as he always hears the Son interceding for us, so he always hears the Spirit interceding in us, because his intercession is according to the will of God. What could have been done more for the comfort of the Lord’s people, in all their addresses to God? Christ had said, "Whatever you ask the Father according to his will he will give it you.’’ But how shall we learn to ask according to his will? Why, the Spirit will teach us that. Therefore it is that the seed of Jacob never seek in vain. The concurrence of all providences for the good of those that are Christ’s, It might be objected that, notwithstanding all these privileges, we see believers compassed about with manifold afflictions; though the Spirit makes intercession for them, yet their troubles are continued. It is very true; but in this the Spirit’s intercession is always effectual, that, however it goes with them, all this is working together for their good. Our prayer motivator quote today is from A.W. Pink. He said: "The prevailing idea seems to be, that I come to God and ask Him for something that I want, and that I expect Him to give me that which I have asked. But this is a most dishonouring and degading conception. The popular belief reduces God to a servant, our servant: doing our bidding, performing our pleasure, granting our desires. No, prayer is a coming to God, telling Him my need, committing my way unto the Lord, and leaving Him to deal with it as seemeth Him best." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 16 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. We do not need a group of prominent citizens to bring political influence upon God when we pray! We do not need the "pull" of somebody else seemingly more favored of God than we are, when we come to pray. God is no respector of persons. The weakest of His children stand before Him, in some measure, in all the beauty and worth of Jesus Christ who has taken his place. So if you can get someone else perfectly agreed with you on the petition to help you ask God for it, you may do so with assurance. But make sure that God does not require this before you can get your prayers answered. This is not a condition, simply an extra opportunity for prayer. The greatest answers to prayer in the Bible followed the petition of only one person. For example, Moses alone prayed before God until He agreed to spare rebellious Israel, and God repents when He had planned to blot them out of His book. Exodus 32:9-14 reads, "And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and th |
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| PLAY | Robert Murray McCheyne said, "God will either give you what you ask, or something far better." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #229) | April 20, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is I Thessalonians 5:17 which reads: "Pray without ceasing."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Thomas Brooks. He said, "God’s hearing of our prayers doth not depend upon sanctification, but upon Christ’s intercession; not upon what we are in ourselves, but what we are in the Lord Jesus; both our persons and our prayers are acceptable in the beloved." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 15 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #288) | April 20, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:26, which reads: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The Spirit itself makes intercession for us, dictates our requests, indites our petitions, draws up our plea for us. Christ intercedes for us in heaven, the Spirit intercedes for us in our hearts; so graciously has God provided for the encouragement of the praying remnant. The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for, as a sanctifying Spirit works and excites praying graces, as a comforting Spirit silences our fears, and helps us over all our discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all our desires and breathings towards God. Now this intercession which the Spirit makes is "With groanings that cannot be uttered." The strength and fervency of those desires which the Holy Spirit works are hereby intimated. There may be praying in the Spirit where there is not a word spoken; as Moses prayed and Hannah. It is not the rhetoric and eloquence, but the faith and fervency, of our prayers, that the Spirit works, as an intercessor, in us. These prayers "Cannot be uttered;" they are so confused, the soul is in such a hurry with temptations and troubles, we know not what to say, nor how to express ourselves. Here is the Spirit interceding with groans that cannot be uttered. When we can but cry, Abba, Father, and refer ourselves to him with a holy humble boldness, this is the work of the Spirit. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Thomas Manton. He said: "One way to get comfort is to plead the promise of God in prayer, show Him His handwriting; God is tender of His Word." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 15 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Where two are agreed in asking, it shall be done for them. Matthew 18:19 says, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Again let us see that this is not an extra condition of prayer which all must meet. Rather, it is simply an extra encouragement to pray, an extra promise. When two people can agree not simply to ask a thing but as touching the thing they shall ask, the Scripture says that they shall receive. That means that with two people, each would be encouraged to believe because the other believed. It means that with two people carefully listening to the Holy Spirit's instructions, they would feel surer of His leading when He helped them to pray for certain things. If one person understands the Scripture to promise a certain thing, and if the second person comes to exactly the same opinion and says, "Yes, I, too, believe that God's Word authorizes us to make this request, to pray this prayer," then naturally they can be more bold in prayer. Two people might each check the other to see that the prayer is not selfish. We are even commanded, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." So when hearts are knit together and guided by the Word and by the Holy Spirit, they can receive from God the things they are perfectly agreed upon in their prayer. But it is still true that if one trusts the Lord, he may move mountains if there is not another person in the world to agree with him in prayer. If one meets God's promises, those promises are plain and sure. If one is led by the Spirit of God, he may be just as sure that he prays in the will of God as if there were a thousand praying. + Pl |
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| PLAY | Daniel Whyte III said, "Prayer is a flesh-crucifying experience." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #228) | April 19, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:8 which reads: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Walter J. Chantry. He said, "If you have never felt your soul poured out before the Lord with a consequent exhaustion, it is doubtful whether you have advanced far in the school of prayer." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 14 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #287) | April 19, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:26, which reads: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The apostle speaks of "not knowing" in the first person: "We know not." He puts himself among the rest. Folly, and weakness, and distraction in prayer, are what all the saints are complaining of. If so great a saint as Paul knew not what to pray for, what little reason have we to go forth about that duty in our own strength! We also notice the assistances which the Spirit gives us in that duty. He helps our infirmities, meant especially of our praying infirmities, which most easily beset us in that duty, against which the Spirit helps. The Spirit in the word helps; many rules and promises there are in the word for our help. The Spirit in the heart helps, dwelling in us, working in us, as a Spirit of grace and supplication, especially with respect to the infirmities we are under when we are in a suffering state, when our faith is most apt to fail; for this end the Holy Ghost was poured out. The Spirit helpeth—heaves with us, over against us, helps as we help one that would lift up a burden, by lifting over against him at the other end-helps with us, that is, with us doing our endeavour, putting forth the strength we have. We must not sit still, and expect that the Spirit should do all; when the Spirit goes before us we must bestir ourselves. We cannot without God, and he will not without us. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Thomas Brooks. He said: "God looks not at the elegancy of your prayers, to see how neat they are; nor yet at the geometry of your prayers, to see how long they are; nor yet at the arithmetic of your prayers, to see how many they are; nor yet at the music of your prayers, nor yet at the sweetness of your voice, nor yet at the logic of your prayers; but at the sincerity of your prayers, how hearty they are. There is no prayer acknowledged, approved, accepted, recorded, or rewarded by God, but that wherein the heart is sincerely and wholly." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 14 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. If you study prayerfully and reverently you will understand what I mean when I say that it is best to come in Jesus' name, but that even in our own names, as the born-again children of God, we have precious rights and inheritances. We can make bold claims since we are already accepted in the Beloved. It is not that we deserve anything, but God loves and gives to us according to our needs, not according to our deserts; according to His mercy and grace, not according to our worthiness. It is well to ask in Jesus' name. But simply asking, too, gets things from God. The very fact that we can say, "Our Father," involves Jesus' name, for it is through Jesus Christ that we were born into the family of the Father and have a right to ask of Him what we need. + Plus, listen to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | John Trapp said, "God never denied that soul anything that went as far as heaven to ask it." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #227) | April 18, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 2 Chronicles 33:9-13 which reads: "So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.W. Pink. He said, "I trust there are none here present, who profess to be followers of Christ who do not also practice prayer in their families. We may have no positive commandment for it, but we believe that it is so much in accord with the genius and spirit of the gospel, and that it is so commended by the example of the saints, that the neglect thereof is a strange inconsistency." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 13 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #286) | April 18, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:26, which reads: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The apostle here suggests two privileges more to which true Christians are entitled:—The help of the Spirit in prayer. While we are in this world, hoping and waiting for what we see not, we must be praying. Hope supposes desire, and that desire offered up to God is prayer; we groan. Now observe, Our weakness in prayer: We know not what we should pray for as we ought. As to the matter of our requests, we know not what to ask. We are not competent judges of our own condition. Who knows what is good for a man in this life? We are short-sighted, and very much biassed in favour of the flesh, and apt to separate the end from the way. You know not what you ask. We are like foolish children, that are ready to cry for fruit before it is ripe and fit for them. As to the manner, we know not how to pray as we ought. It is not enough that we do that which is good, but we must do it well, seek in a due order; and here we are often at a loss-graces are weak, affections cold, thoughts wandering, and it is not always easy to find the heart to pray. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Samuel Davies. He said: "Consider family [prayer time] not merely as a duty imposed by authority, but as your greatest privilege granted by divine grace." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 13 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. When I pray for daily bread, there is a slightly different emphasis. In the model prayer, we are taught to pray, "Our Father, which art in Heaven, ...give us this day our daily bread." Asking in Jesus' name is proper, and is certain to get results when we can do it. But every born again child of God has a short cut when he comes to ask for daily provision and needs. He, too, is God's child. If God wants to please His Son, Jesus, then God also wants to please all His other children. This is not blasphemy. Many, many times in the Bible we are taught that we stand before the Father much like Jesus Christ does. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Christ is our elder Brother. I John 4:17 states, "As he is, so are we in this world." Asking in Jesus' name is always proper. And if we can do it honestly, there is the certainty of answer. But if we do not know that you can meet that condition, you still have the open door that every child has with his loving Father. These various promises are not a series of barricades, all of which we must climb over to get anything from God. Rather, they are different avenues of approach. If you cannot come through one, then God makes another for you. And if you do not know that you can ask in the name of Jesus, yet you have a right to come and say, "My Father." Do you think a hungry baby has to argue with his mother long and profoundly to get food? No. Rather she knows the hunger-cry and is eager to hold the little one to her breast. The mother has as much need to give as the child has to receive. And so God has as much predisposition to answer our prayers as we have to call upon Him. + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City on Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Matthew Henry said, "They that pray in the family do well; they that pray and read the Scriptures do better; but they that pray, and read, and sing do best of all." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #226) | April 17, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 34:6 which reads: "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.W. Pink. He said, "At least twice each day – in the morning and in the evening – the whole household should be gathered together to bow before the Lord – parents and children, master and servant – to confess their sins, to give thanks for God's mercies, to seek His help and blessing. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with this duty: All other domestic arrangements are to bend to it.” |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 12 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #285) | April 17, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 17:1, which reads: “Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.”
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David being in great distress and danger by the malice of his enemies, does, in this psalm, by prayer address himself to God, his tried refuge, and seeks shelter in him. As there is a time to weep and a time to rejoice, so there is a time for praise and a time for prayer. David was now persecuted, probably by Saul, who hunted him like a partridge on the mountains; without were fightings, within were fears, and both urged him as a suppliant to the throne of mercy. He addresses himself to God in this verse both by way of appeal (Hear the right, O Lord! let my righteous cause have a hearing before thy tribunal, and give judgment upon it) and by way of petition ("Give ear unto my prayer" and again "Incline thy ear unto me and hear my speech"); not that God needs to be thus pressed with our importunity, but he gives us leave thus to express our earnest desire of his gracious answers to our prayers. We notice that he was sincere, and did not dissemble with God in his prayer: It goeth not out of feigned lips. He meant as he spoke, and the feelings of his mind agreed with the expressions of his mouth. Feigned prayers are fruitless; but, if our hearts lead our prayers, God will meet them with his favour. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Mark Dever. He said: "Our continuing to pray for someone is a testimony of our faith not in them or in ourselves, but in God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 12 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Do you think that no Christian ought to ever pray for his own local and particular needs because he himself is God's child and has a claim on his Heavenly Father? Do you think one of my children when she was hungry, would need to come to me and put up an argument like this: "Daddy, you will get more honor among men if you don't let me starve. You will probably preach better. You will have more friends. So Daddy, for your own sake, won't you give me a glass of milk?" Do you think all of that was necessary when my baby was hungry? No, no! She was my own baby. I loved her. The very fact that she was hungry and needy put an obligation on me. I wanted her to love me, to wish to please me. I wanted her to be interested in all my work, my happiness, my welfare. But when all that is taken for granted, my own daughter still had a perfect right to come to her daddy to ask for what she wanted. I say, it is well, for us to ask in Jesus' name when the matters primarily concern His kingdom. And in some sense, of course, every matter concerning our own welfare touches in some point the honor that is due the name of Jesus. But if we are frank and honest, we will see that when we ask for help in winning a soul, and when we ask for food when we are hungry, we are praying in two different realms. Certainly, when I am asking for the salvation of a soul, I know the Lord Jesus is more concerned than I am, and of course, I ought to be far more concerned that Jesus be honored in the matter than that some personal wish of mine should be fulfilled. I should ask for the salvation of that soul in Jesus' name primarily, though my own heart needs the comfort and encouragement of seeing a soul saved. And perhaps it may be my own blood brother, and the earthly ties strong, and my heart cries out in love for my brother, longing to see him have the happiness, peace and security which I have; yet in that matter, Christ's will ought to be first in my mind. + Plus, listen to Avalon singing "If My People Pray" |
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| PLAY | C.H. Spurgeon said, "Only the prayer which comes from our heart can get to God’s heart." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #225) | April 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Micah 7:7 which reads: "Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Vavasor Powell. He said, "A saint is to put forth his faith in prayer, and afterwards follow his prayer with faith.” |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 11 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #284) | April 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 5:3 which reads: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We observe here what David prays for, which may encourage our faith and hopes in all our addresses to God. If we pray fervently, and in faith, we have reason to hope that God will take cognizance of our case, the representation we make of it and the requests we make upon it; that he will take it into his wise and compassionate consideration, and will not slight it, or turn it off with a cursory answer; that he will, in due time, return a gracious answer of peace. His prayer was a cry; it was the voice of his cry, which denotes fervency of affection and importunity of expression; and such effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man avail much and do wonders. David here promises, as the condition on his part to be performed, fulfilled, and kept, that he might obtain this gracious acceptance; this may guide and govern us in our addresses to God, that we may present them aright, for we ask, and have not, if we ask amiss. Four things David here promises, and so must we:—(1.) That he will pray, that he will make conscience of praying, and make a business of it: Unto thee will I pray. That he will pray in the morning. His praying voice shall be heard then, and then shall his prayer be directed; that shall be the date of his letters to heaven, not that only, but that certainly. That he will have his eye single and his heart intent in the duty: I will direct my prayer, as a marksman directs his arrow to the white; with such a fixedness and steadiness of mind should we address ourselves to God. That he will patiently wait for an answer of peace: "I will look up, will look after my prayers, and hear what God the Lord will speak, that, if he grant what I asked, I may be thankful—if he deny, I may be patient—if he defer, I may continue to pray and wait and may not faint. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said: "Methinks every true Christian should be exceedingly earnest in prayer concerning the souls of the ungodly; and when they are so, how abundantly God blesses them and how the church prospers!" Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 11 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. When you pray, ask in Jesus' name. John 14:13-14 says, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." And John 16:24 says, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." Of course these Scriptures do not mean that we are simply to add onto our prayer the label, "We ask in Jesus' name." It is nowhere said that we are to put such a phrase in our prayers. Saying it does not make it so. Bible Christians often told other people they did things in the name of the Lord, but I do not recall a single Bible prayer in which people told God they were asking in the name of the Lord. God would know without our saying. But to ask in Jesus' name simply means that we know it would please and honor the Lord Jesus and we are making the request for His sake. And the instruction is for us, not for God. We need to check ourselves to see that we ask things for Jesus' sake. We do not need to tell God that it is for Jesus' sake. He knows. Now here is a blessed promise. Anything we ask, because Jesus wants it, we have a right to expect. God will surely give it. This is the same as asking according to His will mentioned above. John 15:7, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.", means |
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| PLAY | Samuel Chadwick said, "A season of silence is the best preparation for speech with God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #224) | April 13, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:39 which reads: "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Sanders. He said, "Both our Lord and His bondslave Paul made clear that true prayer is not dreamy reverie. 'All vital praying makes a drain on a man’s vitality. True intercession is a sacrifice, a bleeding sacrifice,' wrote J.H. Jowett. Jesus performed miracles without a sign of outward strain, but “He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears.” |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 10 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #283) | April 13, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 9:28-29 which reads: "And when he [Jesus] was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The disciples enquired of Jesus privately why they could not cast out the devil, that wherein they were defective might be made up another time, and they might not again be thus publicly shamed; and he told them, this kind can come forth by nothing but prayer and fasting. Whatever other difference there really might be, none appears between this and other kinds, but that the unclean spirit had had possession of this poor patient from a child, and that strengthened his interest, and confirmed his hold. When vicious habits are rooted by long usage, and begin to plead prescription, like chronical diseases that are hardly cured, can the Ethiopian change his skin? The disciples must not think to do their work always with ease; some services call them to take more than ordinary pains; but Christ can do that with a word’s speaking, which they must prevail for the doing of by prayer and fasting. Our prayer motivator quote today is from George Muller. He said: "Prove the faithfulness of God by carrying your every want to Him. Only maintain an upright heart. But if you live in sin and if you willfully and habitually do things which you know are contrary to the will of God, then you cannot expect Him to hear you." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 10 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. I John 5:14-15 is precious but it is not meant to be a limitation on our prayer. If you perfectly know the will of God, then ask with all the more boldness. If you do not perfectly know the will of God, then you know that He loves you, that He has given His Son for you, and with Him is just as willing to freely give us all things. And let us remember this: The way to find the will of God is to pray. While we wait before God, asking, He will help us to modify our prayers if they are not according to His will. His blessed Spirit, who is a prayer-helper to every surrendered Christian, will show us the things that are according to the will of God. Romans 8:26 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." And this blessed Holy Spirit says in Romans 8:27 that it "maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." It is while we pray that we best learn what is the will of God. Praying is the way to get our prayers corrected so they can be heard, so they will please God. Then if you want anything from God, JUST PRAY! Simple asking, if it be sincere, honest asking, will lead to asking in the will of God and to meeting all the conditions for answered prayer. |
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| PLAY | Oswald Chambers said, "Our prayers are heard, not because we are in earnest, not because we suffer, but because Jesus suffered." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #223) | April 12, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 11:17 which reads: "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Gurnall. He said, "When thou prayest before others, observe on what thou bestowest thy chief care and zeal, whether in the externals or internals of prayer, that which is exposed to the eye and ear of men, or that which should be prepared for the eye and ear of God; the devout posture of thy body, or the inward devotion of thy soul; the pomp of thy words or the power of thy faith; the agitation of thy bodily spirits in the vehemency of thy voice, or the fervency of thy spirit in heartbreaking affections. These inward workings of the soul in prayer, are the very soul of prayer." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 9 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #282) | April 12, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 1:35 which reads: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We notice from this verse, the place where Jesus prayed; He departed into a solitary place, either out of town, or some remote garden or out-building. Though he was in no danger of distraction, or of temptation to vain-glory, yet he retired, to set us an example to his own rule, When thou prayest enter into thy closet. Secret prayer must be made secretly. Those that have the most business in public, and of the best kind, must sometimes be alone with God; must retire into solitude, there to converse with God, and keep up communion with him. The disciples thought they were up early, but found their Master was up before them, and they enquired which way he went, followed him to his solitary place, and there found him at prayer. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Piper. He said: "Could it be that many of our problems with prayer and much of our weakness in prayer come from the fact that we are not all on active duty, and yet we still try to use the transmitter? We have taken a wartime walkie-talkie and tried to turn it into a civilian intercom to call the servants for another cushion in the den…We see repeatedly in Scripture that prayer is a walkie-talkie for warfare, not a domestic intercom for increasing our conveniences." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 9 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. When there is no known reason why our request would be against the will of God, we should in most cases presume that it is in His will. If after honest searching of our motives and an honest examination of the Word of God, and a quiet listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit to find what kind of things please God and will be according to His dear will--after that, if we have no rebuke from God or no leading that the thing we desire is against His will, we have a right to come boldly with our requests. For when a born-again child of God comes to his own loving Heavenly Father crying out for his heart's desire, then the presumption is in favor of his getting what he desires. We know that anybody in the world may freely come to God for salvation. We are already plainly told that it is God's will to save all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. But Romans 8:32 tells us, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Anyone who has been to Calvary for salvation is earnestly urged to be perfectly free to come back for everything else needed. I am saying that our relationship as the born-again children of our dear Heavenly Father means that already God has a predisposition to answer our prayers, and that unless it is wrong or hurtful, it is likely according to His will. + Plus, listen to Brian Free singing "Anything is Possible" |
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| PLAY | Richard Baxter said, "You shall find this to be God’s usual course; not to give His children the taste of His delights till they begin to perspire in seeking after them." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #222) | April 11, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 116:4 which reads: “Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said, "Are not our prayers so often ineffective and powerless – and sometimes even prayerless – because we rush unthinkingly and unpreparedly into God’s presence, without realizing the majesty and glory of the God Whom we are approaching, and without reflecting upon the exceeding great riches of His glory in Christ Jesus, which we hope to draw upon?" |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 8 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #281) | April 11, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 1:35 which reads: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We notice in this verse, Jesus' retirement to his private devotion; He prayed, prayed alone; to set us an example of secret prayer. Though as God he was prayed to, as man he prayed. Though he was glorifying God, and doing good, in his public work, yet he found time to be alone with his Father; and thus it became him to fulfil all righteousness. Now observe, the time when Christ prayed. It was in the morning, the morning after the sabbath day. Note, When a sabbath day is over and past, we must not think that we may intermit our devotion till the next sabbath: no, though we go not to the synagogue, we must go to the throne of grace, every day in the week; and the morning after the sabbath particularly, that we may preserve the good impressions of the day. This morning was the morning of the first day of the week, which afterward he sanctified, and made remarkable, by another sort of rising early. It was early, a great while before day. When others were asleep in their beds, he was praying, as a genuine Son of David, who seeks God early, and directs his prayer in the morning; nay, and at midnight will rise to give thanks. When our spirits are most fresh and lively, then we should take time for devout exercises. He that is the first and best, ought to have the first and best. We will discuss this verse further in tomorrow's broadcast... Our prayer motivator quote today is from Alexander Strauch. He said: "Prayer requires effort. When we pray for people, we focus our thoughts on them; we take their burdens upon ourselves; we intercede before God for them; we sacrifice our time for them; we commit ourselves to their wellbeing. We demonstrate true care and compassion." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 8 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. We are human; we are weak; we are imperfect in knowledge. We do not even perfectly understand the Bible. We are only imperfectly submissive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. So often we do not perfectly know the will of God. Can we, then, never get our prayers answered in such cases? Oh, yes, we may! My children did not always know they would get what they asked from me. But they had sincere hope, a belief that they would get many things, without absolute knowledge of it. And so they came and asked, and for their asking they are rewarded. God really has many reasons which we do not perfectly understand for wanting us to have what our hearts desire and what we crave. Often the thing we dimly hope for, and ask for with fear and trembling, is the very delight of God's heart to give! We must never measure God's willingness to give by our imperfect understanding of His willingness. He is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Both God's ability and His willingness to answer prayer are greater than our ability to ask. In their asking of parents, children go more by their wants and seeming needs than by a perfect understanding of the resources and plans of their parents. And so we frail children of God have a right to come in our ignorance, in our poverty, in our littleness and unworthiness, to ask of God all we want and all we need. We have been taken into God's own family. We are the dear children of His heart. God has bought us to Himself at such infinite price in the death of His Son that it is shameful and wicked to think He would be reluctant in His giving or unwilling to answer prayers. + Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing "What If His People Prayed?" |
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| PLAY | Martin Luther said, "Prayer is not performance but climbing up to the heart of God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #221) | April 10, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 5:2, which reads: “Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Alistair Begg. He said, "If we are to cultivate habits of private prayer and devotion that will weather the storms and remain constant in crisis, our objective must be something larger and greater than our personal preoccupations and longing for self-fulfillment." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 7 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #280) | April 10, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 65:2, which reads: “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come..”
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The psalmist here has no particular concern of his own at the throne of grace...He gives God glory for hearing prayer. "Praise waits for thee; and why is it so ready?" "Because thou art ready to grant our petitions. O thou that hearest prayer! thou canst answer every prayer, for thou art able to do for us more than we are able to ask or think, and thou wilt answer every prayer of faith, either in kind or kindness.’’ It is much for the glory of God’s goodness, and the encouragement of ours, that he is a hearer of prayer, and has taken it among the titles of his honour to be so; and we are much wanting to ourselves if we do not take all occasions to give him his title. For that reason, we are ready to run to him when we are in our straits. "Therefore, because thou art a God hearing prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come; justly does every man’s praise wait for thee, because every man’s prayer waits on thee when he is in want or distress, whatever he does at other times. Now only the seed of Israel come to thee, and the proselytes to their religion; but, when thy house shall be called a house of prayer to all people, then unto thee shall all flesh come, and be welcome Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Trapp. He said: "To an effectual prayer there must concur the intention of the mind and the affections of the heart; else it is not praying but parroting." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 7 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Ask according to God's will. This is another requirement or "condition" for answered prayer. First John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." That is a wonderful promise. But, mark you, God is talking here about knowing, not about believing. Any Christian who knows that he is asking just what God wants to do, and asking according to His will, knows that God hears him and that he already has the petition he desired of God. And if you reach in some particular this wonderful condition of absolutely knowing that you are asking according to God's will, both as to the what and the how of your prayer, that is a wonderful confidence. Take care that you are not discouraged if you do not have such absolute confidence, for the Scripture does not say that those who do not know that they are asking in accordance with God's perfect will will not receive anything of God. Asking according to His will is the perfection of asking. It is true that if we ask something clearly contrary to the will of God, we should not expect for that which we have no reason to believe is against God's will, we should expect to receive our request. God gives us all He can give and do right. |
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| PLAY | Thomas Brooks said, "Prayer is nothing but the breathing that out before the Lord, that was first breathed into us by the Spirit of the Lord. (The Prayer Motivator Minute #220) | April 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 65:2, which reads: “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come..”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "Prayer is the natural and joyous breathing of the spiritual life by which the heavenly atmosphere is inhaled and then exhaled in prayer." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #279) | April 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 55:17, which reads: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David perseveres in his resolution to pray frequently, every day, and three times a day—evening, and morning, and at noon. It is probable that this had been his constant practice, and he resolves to continue it now that he is in his distress. Then we may come the more boldly to the throne of grace in trouble when we do not then first begin to seek acquaintance with God, but it is what we have constantly practised, and the trouble finds the wheels of prayer going. Those that think three meals a day little enough for the body ought much more to think three solemn prayers a day little enough for the soul, and to count it a pleasure, not a task. As it is fit that in the morning we should begin the day with God, and in the evening close it with him, so it is fit that in the midst of the day we should retire awhile to converse with him. It was Daniel’s practice to pray three times a day, and noon was one of Peter’s hours of prayer. Let not us be weary of praying often, for God is not weary of hearing. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Ray Stedman. He said: "True prayer is an awareness of our helpless need and an acknowledgment of divine adequacy." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 6 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. How wonderfully clear it is that all who really earnestly and sincerely ask have some faith in their hearts or they would not ask. And we have a right, then, to take at face value the words of Jesus, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." And again we have a right to believe that "ye have not, because ye ask not." It is well to grow in faith. If God gives you, out of His great mercy, a large, vigorous faith, then use it and be glad. But let us remember that asking, too, is proof of faith. If you want anything from God, JUST PRAY! For asking fulfills all God's requirements. Suppose a Christian's faith is weak; where can he grow better than on his knees and wait before God? The place to grow faith is the place of prayer. If you ask in weak faith and begin to get some prayers answered, then your faith will grow. As you prove God, you will grow more and more to see His willingness to answer prayer, what things hinder prayer, and you will feel greater freedom to call on God. So those who pray already have some faith. And those who continue to pray will grow in faith. Simply asking, earnestly and with a surrendered heart, meets all God's requirements about prayer, including the requirement of faith. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Karl Graustein said, "Prayer is a humble act of declaring our dependence on God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #219) | April 6, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 145:18, which reads: “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E. Stanley Jones. He said, "If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #278) | April 6, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 26:41, which reads: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: While the disciples were sleeping, they lost the benefit of joining in Christ’s prayer. "Watch yourselves, and pray yourselves. Watch and pray against this present temptation to drowsiness and security; pray that you may watch; beg of God by his grace to keep you awake, now that there is occasion.’’ When we are drowsy in the worship of God, we should pray, as a good Christian once did, "The Lord deliver me from this sleepy devil!’’ Lord, quicken thou me in thy way, Or, "Watch and pray against the further temptation you may be assaulted with; watch and pray lest this sin prove the inlet of many more.’’ When we find ourselves entering into temptation, we have need to watch and pray. Jesus kindly excused for them; "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." We do not read of one word they had to say for themselves (the sense of their own weakness stopped their mouth); but then he had a tender word to say on their behalf, for it is his office to be an Advocate; in this he sets us an example of the love which covers a multitude of sins. He considered their frame, and did not chide them, for he remembered that they were but flesh; and the flesh is weak, though the spirit be willing. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Erroll Hulse. He said: "Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God for the things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, by the help of His Spirit, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Asking fulfills the requirement of faith, at least in part. For everyone who really prays has some faith or he would not pray. That is made clear in Romans 10:13-14 which says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." But the Bible has elsewhere many times said that those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved. Does calling here fulfill the requirement of believing? Yes, for the next verse says, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?" No one calls on God unless he believes there is a God. No one asks anything of God unless he believes that there is a God who answers prayer. No one asks anything of this God who answers prayer unless he has some reasons to hope that even his own prayer will be answered. Calling is believing. + Plus, listen to the Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Someone said, "Prayer is a golden chain: one end tied to the tongue of man, the other to the ear of God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #218) | April 5, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 145:18, which reads: “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E. Stanley Jones. He said, "If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #277) | April 5, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 26:41, which reads: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: While in the Garden of Gethsemane, preparing to be betrayed by Judas, Jesus gave his disciples good counsel: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." There was an hour of temptation drawing on, and very near; the troubles of Christ were temptations to his followers to disbelieve and distrust him, to deny and desert him, and renounce all relation to him. There was danger of their entering into the temptation, as into a snare or trap; of their entering into a parley with it, or a good opinion of it, of their being influenced by it, and inclining to comply with it; which is the first step toward being overcome by it. He therefore exhorts them to watch and pray; Watch with me, and pray with me. We will continue discussing this verse in our next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Stott. He said: "Prayer...is the very way God Himself has chosen for us to express our conscious need of Him and our humble dependence on Him." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. A most comforting example from the Bible is that in the twelfth chapter of Acts. There we find a group of earnest Christians spending the night in prayer at the home of Mary, the mother of Mark. Peter, the chief apostle, is in prison and is to be slain tomorrow. Wicked Herod has already killed James, the brother of John; now to please the wicked Jews he is willing to kill Peter. Oh, how fervently these dear Christians prayed! I can imagine their prayers were something like this: "O, Lord, we can't spare Peter! he's the chiefest of the apostles, the boldest preacher of all. Stephen has been stoned, James has been killed with the sword. O, Lord, deliver Peter. This night, Lord, bring him out of that jail and deliver him!" Yet their hearts were very heavy in the midst of their prayers. For it seemed impossible for Peter to get out of jail. Sixteen soldiers were on constant guard over this one man in the locked jail. Peter was even sleeping between two soldiers and was bound with chains. But God heard their prayers. He sent his angel who woke up Peter, broke off the chains, opened the doors and brought Peter out into the city. Peter then bethought himself of dear Sister Mary's home and came to report his wonderful deliverance. He knocked at the front gate again and again. The elder Christians were too busy praying to go see who it was. So they sent a little girl named Rhoda. When she heard Peter's voice, and knew who it was, she forgot to unlock the gate but ran gladly to tell the praying group, "Peter is here! It is Peter himself knocking at the gate! Peter is out of jail!" They stopped praying long enough to say, "Thou art mad." They thought she was crazy when she announced that their prayers were answered! When she insisted that it was surely Peter, they said, "It is his angel." They thought Peter had already been killed and his spirit was at the door! But Peter kept on knocking, knocking at the front gate; and when finally they let him in "they were astonished!" says the Scriptures. I have laughed again and again at this incident. All night long they had been praying for Peter to get out of jail, and when he was let out, they did not believe it. But they had faith enough to pray. That is not all; they had faith enough to get the answer! They had many doubts. Who can blame them? But they also had a brokenhearted, pleading, clinging faith that would not let God go until the answer came. I say |
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| PLAY | John MacArthur said, "Prayer is the muscle that activates the arm of omnipotence." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #218) | April 4, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 25:1 which reads: "Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Bingham Hunter. He said, "From a biblical point of view, prayer is related to everything that we are and everything that God is. God does not respond to our prayers. God responds to us: to our whole life. What we say to Him cannot be separated from what we think, feel, will and do. Prayer is communication from whole persons to the Wholeness which is the living God. Prayer is misunderstood until we see it this way." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #276) | April 4, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 62:8 which reads: “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here we also have David’s exhortation to others to converse with God. "Pour out your heart before him." The expression seems to allude to the pouring out of the drink-offerings before the Lord. When we make a penitent confession of sin our hearts are therein poured out before God. But here it is meant of prayer, which, if it be as it should be, is the pouring out of the heart before God. We must lay our grievances before him, offer up our desires to him with all humble freedom, and then entirely refer ourselves to his disposal, patiently submitting our wills to his: this is pouring out our hearts. What encouragement he gives us to take this good counsel: "God is a refuge for us," not only my refuge, but a refuge for us all, even as many as will flee to him and take shelter in him. He cautions us to take heed of misplacing our confidence, in which, as much as in any thing, the heart is deceitful. Those that trust in God truly will trust in him only, and will humbly offer up prayers to Him. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Wesley. He said: "Whether we think of, or speak to, God, whether we act or suffer for Him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than His love, and the desire of pleasing Him. " Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. When we get to Heaven in glorified bodies and are already entered into the eternal blessings there, we will not have faith about salvation. It will be knowledge then. I have faith in a check until I cash it. Than after that, I do not have faith in the check; I have the cash money, and faith has become a certainty. Before the check is cashed, I believe that the man who signed it has the money in the bank; after the check has been cashed, then I know that he had the money in the bank. As a few of us students talked together about the things of God when we were in seminary, a student minister said, "If you have any doubt in your heart when you pray, you had as well quit praying. God will never answer a prayer when there is any doubt in your heart." That grieved me and greatly troubled me then, for I could hardly say of my faith, even when strongest, that I had no doubt. But I soon learned that the young man was very greatly mistaken; for God answers our prayers not in relation to our doubts but in relation to our believing. One can have doubts and faith at the same time. And Jesus said that if one had faith as big as a mustard seed he could move mountains. The father who said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief," had doubts, but he had belief, too. And he had faith enough to get his boy healed. + Plus, listen to Avalon singing "If My People Pray" |
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| PLAY | Jerry Bridges said, "Prayer is the most tangible expression of trust in God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #217) | April 3, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 17:1 which reads: "Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Chadwick. He said, "Great grief prays with great earnestness. Prayer is not a collection of balanced phrases; it is the pouring out of the soul. What is love if it be not fiery? What are prayers if the heart be not ablaze? They are the battles of the soul. In them men wrestle with principalities and powers...The prayer that prevails is not the work of lips and fingertips. It is the cry of a broken heart and the travail of a stricken soul." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #275) | April 3, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 62:8 which reads: “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here we have David’s exhortation to others to trust in God and wait upon him, and [to pour out their hearts in prayer,] as he had done. Those that have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves will invite others into those ways; there is enough in God for all the saints to draw from, and we shall have never the less for others sharing with us. He counsels all to wait upon God, as he did. Observe that to whom he gives this good counsel: You people (that is, all people); all shall be welcome to trust in God, for he is the confidence of all the ends of the earth. You people of the house of Israel (so the Chaldee); they are especially engaged and invited to trust in God, for he is the God of Israel; and should not a people seek unto their God? We also notice the good counsel which he gives --- to confide in God: "Trust in him; deal with him, and be willing to deal upon trust; depend upon him to perform all things for you, upon his wisdom and goodness, his power and promise, his providence and grace. Do this at all times.’’ We must have an habitual confidence in God always, must live a life of dependence upon him, must so trust in him at all times as not at any time to put that confidence in ourselves, or in any creature, which is to be put in him only; and we must have an actual confidence in God upon all occasions, trust in him upon every emergency, to guide us when we are in doubt, to protect us when we are in danger, to supply us when we are in want, to strengthen us for every good word and work, and to answer our prayers. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Sale. He said: "Prayer is coming to God, pouring out our hearts in fervent desire and faith, expressing our need, committing our way to Him, and leaving the outcome to the Lord as He most wisely and lovingly sees best." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. It is well to remember that faith is a relative matter. Suppose that on the left-hand side of a piece of paper you write "utter unbelief". Then at the far right-hand side of the paper you write "absolute certainty." Now draw a line from one to the other between those two, and any point on that line will be faith. People speak of "perfect faith", but really there is no perfect faith. As soon as you reach certainty, it is knowledge, not faith. Faith is made up of two parts: belief and unbelief. One may have both at the same time. Remember the father who came to Jesus in Mark 9:24 and said, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief". And that father, who had some unbelief and some belief, got his prayer answered and his boy healed! When you take all the unbelief out of faith, then it is certainty or knowledge, and not faith at all. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Bill Thrasher said, "Prayer is not attempting to get our will done in heaven but His will done on earth." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #216) | April 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is Romans 8:15 which reads: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.C. Sproul. He said, "All of our warfare and all of our activity must take place in the context of constant, unceasing prayer. Just as a soldier on the battle line has to keep in constant communication with his general headquarters and his commanding officer, so the Christian who is on the battle line must be in constant communication with his Lord. He might be fully equipped with all the armor, but if he is cut off from personal communication with his own commander, then he will be isolated and vulnerable." |
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| PLAY | Asking Really Fulfills All Other Specific Conditions of Prayer, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #274) | April 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7-11 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: God knows what we need and He encourages our prayers and expectations. We may hope that we shall not be denied and disappointed: we shall not have a stone for bread, to break our teeth, nor a serpent for a fish, to sting us; we have reason indeed to fear it, because we deserve it, but God will be better to us than the desert of our sins. The world often gives stones for bread, and serpents for fish, but God never does; nay, we shall be heard and answered, for children are by their parents. God has put into the hearts of parents a compassionate inclination to succour and supply their children, according to their need. Even those that have had little conscience of duty, yet have done it, as it were by instinct. No law was ever thought necessary to oblige parents to maintain their legitimate children, nor, in Solomon’s time, their illegitimate ones. He has assumed the relation of a Father to us, and owns us for his children; that from the readiness we find in ourselves to relieve our children, we may be encouraged to apply ourselves to him for relief and answers to prayer. What love and tenderness fathers have are from him; not from nature but from the God of nature; and therefore they must needs be infinitely greater in himself. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Piper. He said: "Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that He will provide the help we need. Prayer humbles us as needy, and exalts God as wealthy." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "ASKING REALLY FULFILLS ALL OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. If you study prayerfully all these specific "conditions of prayer" you will find that asking really fulfills them all; that they are not barriers between a Christian and God but rather open doors. The Christian can come through any one of them or all of them, so anxious is God for us to approach Him in prayer and ask for all we need! Ask in faith. Faith is more often mentioned as a condition of prayer than anything else. Remember these marvelous promises of Jesus: Matthew 9:29, "According to your faith be it unto you." Matthew 17:20, "Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Matthew 21:22, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Mark 9:23, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 11:22-24, "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Matthew 21:21, "Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye |
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| PLAY | John Wesley said, "In souls filled with love, the desire to please God is continual prayer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #215) | March 30, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which reads: “Pray without ceasing."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "If we think of prayer as the breath of our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly. The blood flows and the breathing continues – we are not conscious of it but it is always going on." |
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| PLAY | Just Pray, Part 7 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #273) | March 30, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7-11 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We must come to him for good things, for those he gives to them that ask him; which teaches us to refer ourselves to him; we know not what is good for ourselves, but he knows what is good for us, we must therefore leave it with him; Father, thy will be done. The child is here supposed to ask bread, that is necessary, and a fish, that is wholesome; but if the child should foolishly ask for a stone, or a serpent, for unripe fruit to eat, or a sharp knife to play with, the father, though kind, is so wise as to deny him. We often ask that of God which would do us harm if we had it; he knows this, and therefore does not give it to us. Denials in love are better than grants in anger; we should have been undone ere this if we had had all we desired. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Charles H. Spurgeon. He said: "Prevailing prayer takes the Christian to the mountain and enables him to cover heaven with clouds of blessings, and earth with floods of mercy. Prevailing prayer lifts the Christian and shows him his inheritance and transfigures him into the likeness of his Lord. If you would like to reach to something higher than ordinary groveling experience, look to the Rock that is higher than you, and gaze with the eye of faith through the window of consistent prayer. When you open the window on your side it will not be bolted on the other." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 7 of our series titled "JUST PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. During one season of prolonged prayer for a definite object, I memorized and delighted in and said over and over in the night John 14:13-14 and was assured that since I was asking it in Jesus' name, my prayer would be granted. At another time I could not seem to get victory alone, so I found the full assurance I needed when I got a friend to claim with me the promise in Matthew 18:19, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." And then there was a long period when I delighted daily in the wonderful passage in Mark 11:22-14, that if one would believe, he could have whatsoever he said. No one promise can properly reveal the infinite, loving care of our Heavenly Father and His willingness to hear His children! It takes all the promises in the Bible, taken at face value, to make us realize how eager God is to hear us pray, how willingly He will give us what we desire! The truth is that asking, just praying, is the way to get things from God. All these extra promises are intended to encourage us to ask. + Plus, listen to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | John Bunyan said, "Prayer opens the heart to God, and it is the means by which the soul, though empty, is filled with God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #214) | March 29, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:39 which says: "And he [Jesus] went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from the John Wesley. He said, "God's command to "pray without ceasing" is founded on the necessity we have of His grace to preserve the life of God in the soul, which can no more subsist one moment without it, than the body can without air." |
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| PLAY | Just Pray, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #272) | March 29, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Conditional grants become absolute upon the performance of the condition; so here, he that asketh, receiveth. Christ hereby puts his fiat to the petition; and he having all power, that is enough. It is illustrated, by a similitude taken from earthly parents, and their innate readiness to give their children what they ask. Christ appeals to his hearers, "What man is there of you, though never so morose and ill-humoured, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?". Whence he infers, "If ye then, being evil, yet grant your children’s requests, much more will your heavenly Father give you the good things you ask." Now this is of use, To direct our prayers and expectations, We must come to God, as children to a Father in heaven, with reverence and confidence. How naturally does a child in want or distress run to the father with its complaints; thus should the new nature send us to God for supports and supplies. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John MacArthur. He said: "To pray at all times is to live in continual God consciousness, where everything we see and experience becomes a kind of prayer, lived in deep awareness of and surrender to our heavenly Father. To obey this exhortation means that, when we are tempted, we hold the temptation before God and ask for His help. When we experience something good and beautiful, we immediately thank the Lord for it. When we see evil around us, we pray that God will make it right and be willing to be used of Him to that end. When we meet someone who does not know Christ, we pray for God to draw that person to Himself and to use us to be a faithful witness. When we encounter trouble, we turn to God as our Deliverer. In other words, our life becomes a continually ascending prayer, a perpetual communing with our heavenly Father. To pray at all times is to constantly set our minds “on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 6 of our series titled "JUST PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. I think this illustration will help you understand how eager God is to hear our prayers and how He has provided many, many various promises, trying to encourage us to pray. A visitor at a farmhouse, it is said, saw one large hole and three smaller holes at the bottom of an outside door. So he curiously asked the farmer what the holes were for. "They are for the cat and the kittens," replied the farmer. "But," said the visitor, "why wouldn't one large hole do? Why can't the kitten go through the same hole as the mother cat?" "No, that wouldn't do," said the farmer. "When I say, 'Scat,' I mean scat, and every kitten needs his own hole!" So every Christian needs his own promise. The blessed promise of God in one verse is just what one Christian needs to stir his faith. But the same promise arouses no spark of hope and faith in the breast of another, so God gives him another promise. + Plus, listen to Brian Free singing "A Praying Man" |
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| PLAY | Augustine said, "Longing desire prayeth always, though the tongue be silent. If thou art ever longing, thou art ever praying." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #213) | March 28, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 11:17 which reads: "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from the Jonathan Edwards. He said, "I was almost constantly in ejaculatory prayer, wherever I was. Prayer seemed to be natural to me, as the breath by which the inward burnings of my heart had vent." |
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| PLAY | Just Pray, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #271) | March 28, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: It is to the same purport, yet with some addition that this verse is made to extend to all that pray aright; "Not only you my disciples shall receive what you pray for, but every one that asketh, receiveth, whether Jew or Gentile, young or old, rich or poor, high or low, master or servant, learned or unlearned, they are all alike welcome to the throne of grace, if they come in faith: for God is no respecter of persons.’’ It is made so as to amount to a grant, in words of the present tense, which is more than a promise for the future. Every one that asketh, not only shall receive, but receiveth; by faith, applying and appropriating the promise, we are actually interested and invested in the good promised: so sure and inviolable are the promises of God, that they do, in effect, give present possession: an active believer enters immediately, and makes the blessings promised his own. What have we in hope, according to the promise, is as sure, and should be as sweet, as what we have in hand. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Brother Lawrence. He said: "The time of business does not differ with me from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were on my knees." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "JUST PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. On the matter of prayer, God has given many, many promises so that by many terms He may make it clear how eager and willing He is to answer our prayers. Some preachers in teaching about prayer search through the Bible for every "condition" they can find. Then they proceed with something like this: "Now, God is a hardhearted God. He really does not want to answer your prayers, and He will not answer them unless you meet every single requirement. Now here I have found barriers on the road to God. If you get your prayers answered, you must climb over every single barrier mentioned in these conditions." Bible teachers sometimes leave the impression that one must unlock a half dozen or more gates before he can get a single prayer answered; and if one has every key but one, he cannot get anything from God. This is shameful and wicked. The so-called "conditions" are really promises, and any Christian who meets a single one of God's promises can get everything that promise of God has offered. + Plus, listen to the Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Someone once said, "Great pray-ers have always been great students of the Word of God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #212) | March 27, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 116:4 which reads: “Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from the Thomas Kelly. He said, "There is a way of ordering our mental life on more than one level at once. On one level we can be thinking, discussing, seeing, calculating, meeting all the demands of external affairs. But deep within, behind the scenes, at a profounder level, we may also be in prayer and adoration, song and worship, and a gentle receptiveness to divine breathings." |
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| PLAY | Just Pray, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #270) | March 27, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Now here, the promise is made, and made so as exactly to answer the precept. "Ask, and it shall be given you;" not lent you, not sold you, but given you; and what is more free than a gift? Whatever you pray for, according to the promise, whatever you ask, shall be given you, if God see it fit for you, and what would you have more? It is but ask and have; ye have not, because ye ask not, or ask not aright: what is not worth asking, is not worth having, and then it is worth nothing. "Seek, and ye shall find," and then you do not lose your labour; God is himself found of those that seek him, and if we find him we have enough. "Knock, and it shall be opened;" the door of mercy and grace shall no longer be shut against you as enemies and intruders, but opened to you as friends and children. It will be asked, who is at the door? If you be able to say, a friend, and have the ticket of promise ready to produce in the hand of faith, doubt not of admission. If the door be not opened at the first knock, continue instant in prayer; it is an affront to a friend to knock at his door, and then go away; though he tarry, yet wait. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Donald Whitney. He said: "Praying without ceasing means you never really stop conversing with God; you simply have frequent interruptions." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "JUST PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. How well the Scripture says that unbelief is our besetting sin. We preachers and Bible teachers have grown into the habit of searching through the Bible trying to find other Scriptures to modify the great promises. Some do that way about salvation. They say glibly that they believe in salvation by faith in Christ. But they add that you also have to be baptized, have to keep all the commandments, have to be faithful till death, even though you are saved by faith in the blood. But if it is of works, it is not of grace. If baptism is essential to salvation, then salvation is not wholly by the blood and is not received simply by faith. Thus do men wickedly search through the Bible to make it contradict itself and use one verse of Scripture to tear down another. It is true that the Bible has many simple and varying statements about the plan of salvation. In John 1:12 it is receiving Christ. In John 6:37 it is coming to Christ. In Matthew 10:32 and in Romans 10:9-10 it is confessing Christ. In John 3:16 and many other passages the plan of salvation is stated as believing in Christ. But the context in every case shows that all these are simply different ways of saying that anybody in the world who comes trustingly to Christ will immediately be received, forgiven and saved. These different promises do not give different ways of salvation. They do not even give different steps in the same way to salvation. Salvation is not obtained by long, detailed processes and meeting difficult requirements. Salvation is one simple step to Christ. And if some poor sinner does not understand one way of explaining it, then God gives another explanation to enlighten his poor, darkened mind. But any sinner can safely depend upon any single promise in the Word that offers salvation. When he honestly receives Christ, or honestly comes to Christ, or sincerely confesses Christ, or when he repents, or when he trusts --- all the same thing --- God receives him with open arms and for Christ's sake forgives his sins. The extra promises are to make it easier to be saved, not to make it harder. + Plus, liste |
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| PLAY | The Kneeling Christian said, "It is as natural to Him to answer prayer as it is for us to ask. How He delights to hear our petitions, and how He loves to answer them!" (The Prayer Motivator Minute #211) | March 26, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 18:3 which reads: "I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from the Kneeling Christian. He said, "God’s answer to prayer may be “Yes,” or it may be “No.” It may be “Wait,” for it may be that He plans a much larger blessing than we imagined, and one which involves other lives as well as our own." |
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| PLAY | Just Pray, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #269) | March 26, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: When the dresser of the vineyard in Luke 13:7-8, asked for a year’s respite for the barren fig-tree, he added, I will dig about it. God gives knowledge and grace to those that search the scriptures, and wait at Wisdom’s gates; and power against sin to those that avoid the occasions of it. We must not only ask, but knock; we must come to God’s door, must ask importunately; not only pray, but plead and wrestle with God; we must seek diligently; we must continue knocking; must persevere in prayer, and in the use of means; must endure to the end in the duty. Here is a promised annexed: our labour in prayer, if indeed we do labour in it, shall not be in vain: where God finds a praying heart, he will be found a prayer-hearing God; he shall give thee an answer of peace. The precept is threefold, ask, seek, knock; there is precept upon precept; but the promise is sixfold, line upon line, for our encouragement; because a firm belief of the promise would make us cheerful and constant in our obedience. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from William Gurnall. He said: "Go to God by prayer for a key to unlock the mysteries of His Word. It is not the plodding but the praying soul, that will get this treasure of Scripture knowledge. God often brings a truth to the Christian’s hand as a return of prayer, which he had long hunted for in vain with much labour and study: “There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets”; and where doth He reveal the secrets of His world but at the throne of grace?" Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "JUST PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. Asking is the same implication given in James 4:2: "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not." It is not right to read into this verse what it does not say. It is not right to search through the Bible and try to find other Scriptures that will limit this verse and make it mean less than it says. Hundreds of times I have read Matthew 7:7-8 and James 4:2 to congregations and have asked them if they believed that everyone who asked received, and that just by asking we can get things from God. In every single case where I gave people a chance to reply, some said, "Yes, that is true if we ask according to God's will," or "If we do not ask amiss," or, "If we ask in faith." When I pressed the matter, some have frankly said, "No, I do not believe it." Now that is practical infidelity. Any verse of the Bible may be believed. Any one is so perfectly stated that it means exactly what it says. And certainly these two passages expressly say that by asking (continual asking, if necessary) one can get things from God without limiting this promise by other conditions. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Just Pray" |
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| PLAY | The Kneeling Christian said, "To call it wonderful is to show our want of faith. It is natural to God to answer prayer: normal, not extraordinary." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #210) | March 23, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 18:1 which reads: "And he [Jesus] spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Bill Thrasher. He said, "Without prayer the study of Scripture can turn into a merely intellectual exercise. Prayer without Scripture will lack needed motivation and guidance." |
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| PLAY | Just Pray, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #268) | March 23, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We must not only ask, but Seek, as for a thing of value that we have lost, or as the merchantman that seeks goodly pearls. Seek by prayer. Knock, as he that desires to enter into the house knocks at the door.’ We would be admitted to converse with God, would be taken into his love, and favour, and kingdom; sin has shut and barred the door against us; by prayer, we knock; Lord, Lord, open to us. Christ knocks at our door; and allows us to knock at his, which is a favour we do not allow to common beggars. Seeking and knocking imply something more than asking and praying. We must not only ask but seek; we must second our prayers with our endeavors; we must, in the use of the appointed means, seek for that which we ask for, else we tempt God. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Bill Thrasher. He said: "I have found it helpful to begin my day by systematically reading the Bible and giving God the opportunity to direct my attention to certain truths. These truths become the springboard to begin speaking to the Lord." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "JUST PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. God's promises mean exactly what they say. Let us go back to Matthew 7:7-8, where Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Now, the dear Lord Jesus was always honest and always exactly accurate. He means here just exactly what He said. If you ask, you shall receive. If you seek, you shall find. If you knock, it shall be opened unto you. And the only possible limitation to that promise, since it means exactly what it says, is in the amount of asking. Literally I understand the Greek to mean "be asking," or "keep on asking, and it shall be given unto you," and "keep on seeking," and "keep on knocking." Evidently what Jesus meant for us to do was to take this promise at literal face value. If there were no other verse in the Bible, this one is all true. All that it implies is true. It is not right to try to find one verse in the Bible to hamstring another, to take away its meaning. All the verses in the Bible, rightly interpreted, would mean the same as this means --- that those who ask receive from God; that if you want things from God, you are just to pray, simply to ask for them. + Plus, listen to Mahalia Jackson singing "Sweet Hour of Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Just Pray, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #267) | March 22, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Our Saviour, in the foregoing chapter, had spoken of prayer as a commanded duty, by which God is honoured, and which, if done aright, shall be rewarded; here he speaks of it as the appointed means of obtaining what we need, especially grace to obey the precepts he had given, some of which are so displeasing to flesh and blood. Here is a precept in three words to the same purport, Ask, Seek, Knock; that is, in one word, "Pray; pray often; pray with sincerity and seriousness; pray, and pray again; make conscience of prayer, and be constant in it; make a business of prayer, and be earnest in it. Ask, as a beggar asks alms.’’ Those that would be rich in grace, must betake themselves to the poor trade of begging, and they shall find it a thriving trade. "Ask; represent your wants and burdens to God, and refer yourselves to him for support and supply, according to his promise. Ask as a traveller asks the way; to pray is to enquire of God. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Jerry Bridges. He said: "It is hypocritical to pray for victory over our sins yet be careless in our intake of the Word of God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "JUST PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. All conditions of prayer in the Bible are extra encouragements and opportunities to pray. All prayers are fulfilled in asking. Do you want something from God? Then pray! Prayer gets things from God, and the one great condition of getting things is asking for them. Some Scriptures give special promises for those who ask in faith. Others mention that we can get anything we want if we ask according to His will. Again we are told that whatsoever we shall ask in Christ's name, we can have. Then if two are agreed, they can have what they ask. Persistence in prayer is encouraged too; and those who cry day and night to God will be heard speedily. But all these are enlargements of promise, not limitations. These are promises, not strictures. These are to make prayer easier, not harder. These promises are simply elaborations of the general promises that we can get things just by praying, by asking. + Plus, listen to Bart Millard singing "A Little Talk with Jesus" |
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| PLAY | R.A. Torrey said, "Prayer that is born of meditation upon the Word of God is the prayer that soars upward most easily to God’s listening ears." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #209) | March 22, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:2 which reads: "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "The word of God is the food by which prayer is nourished and made strong." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 18 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #266) | March 21, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 6:12 which reads: "And it came to pass in those days, that he [Jesus] went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Jesus was long alone with God: He continued all night in prayer. We think one half hour a great deal to spend in the duties of the closet; but Christ continued a whole night in meditation and secret prayer. We have a great deal of business at the throne of grace, and we should take a great delight in communion with God, and by both these we may be kept sometimes long at prayer. In his family we have him nominating his immediate attendants, that should be the constant auditors of his doctrine and eye-witnesses of his miracles, that hereafter they might be sent forth as apostles, his messengers to the world, to preach his gospel to it, and plant his church in it. After he had continued all night in prayer, one would have thought that, when it was day, he should have reposed himself, and got some sleep. No, as soon as any body was stirring, he called unto him his disciples. In serving God, our great care should be, not to lose time, but to make the end of one good duty the beginning of another. Ministers are to be ordained with prayer more than ordinarily solemn. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Herbert Lockyer. He said: "The mightiest prayers are often those drenched with the Word of God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the eighteenth and final part of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. In conclusion of this series, I hope that you are not complacent nor content with your unbelief. I trust there is a hunger of heart to know God better and to see Him work wonders in your life. Well, the first thing to do is to confess the sin of unbelief. Without faith you cannot please God. Not to have it is failure and rebellion. Unbelief is a wicked sin. Faith can get anything in the universe, without nothing impossible. Admit to God how far short you have fallen of asking or expecting what you would have a right to pray for. Uncover the barrenness of your life, the coldness of your heart, the powerlessness of your testimony before God! If you are a pastor, count out before God the pitifully small results of your ministry. If you are an evangelist, compare yourself with Finney, Moody, Torrey, Chapman, Sunday, and with Bible preachers, and admit to God that unbelief is the cause of the fruitlessness. Unbelief has lost the power of God. Oh, may God help my own heart to take this lesson in penitence and confession today on account of my unbelief, my littleness of faith! + Plus, listen to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | The Kneeling Christian said, "Answers to prayer, however, do not depend upon our feelings, but upon the trustworthiness of the Promiser." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #208) | March 21, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:39 which reads: "And he [Jesus] went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Muller. He said, "Formerly, when I rose, I began to pray as soon as possible. But I often spent a quarter of an hour to an hour on my knees struggling to pray while my mind wandered. Now I rarely have this problem. As my heart is nourished by the truth of the Word, I am brought into true fellowship with God. I speak to my Father and to my Friend (although I am unworthy) about the things that He has brought before me in His precious Word." |
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| PLAY | E.M. Bounds said, "The story of every great Christian achievement is the history of answered prayer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #207) | March 20, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 2:36-37 which reads: "And there was one Anna, a prophetess...And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "The greatest answer to prayer is that I am brought into a perfect understanding with God, and that alters my view of actual things." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 17 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #265) | March 20, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 6:12 which reads: "And it came to pass in those days, that he [Jesus] went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: In these verses, we have our Lord Jesus in secret, in his family, and in public; and in all three acting like himself. In secret we have him praying to God. The evangelist takes frequent notice of Christ’s retirements, to give us an example of secret prayer, by which we must keep up our communion with God daily, and without which it is impossible that the soul should prosper. In those days, when his enemies were filled with madness against him, and were contriving what to do to him, he went out to pray; that he might answer the type of David, "For my love, they are my adversaries; but I give myself unto prayer." Observe that He was alone with God; he went out into a mountain, to pray, where he might have no disturbance or interruption given him; we are never less alone than when we are thus alone. Whether there was any convenient place built upon this mountain, for devout people to retire to for their private devotions, as some think, and that that oratory, or place of prayer, to me seems very uncertain. He went into a mountain for privacy, and therefore, probably, would not go to a place frequented by others. We will discuss this verse further in tomorrow's broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Thomas Watson. He said: "God will fill the hungry because He Himself has stirred up the hunger. As in the case of prayer, when God prepares the heart to pray, He prepares His ear to hear. So in the case of spiritual hunger, when God prepares the heart to hunger, He will prepare His hand to fill." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 17 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. A father brought his poor devil-possessed boy to the disciples while Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration, and they could not heal him. Almost in despair the father brought the boy to Jesus and said in Mark 9:22-24, "If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us." Jesus replied, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Then the father, so conscious of his unbelief, cried out, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." The father had a little faith, and he prayed for more faith. Jesus did help his unbelief. Jesus wonderfully healed the afflicted son, and that day the father went home, I am sure, with abounding, triumphant faith in a Saviour who worked miracles in answer to prayer. He had seen the miracle. The evidence of the marvel walked down the road beside him on the way home! And so we ought to pray, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!" + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | The Kneeling Christian said, "Every convert is the result of the Holy Spirit's pleading in answer to the prayers of some believer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #205) | March 19, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7-8 which says: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Muller. He said, "Precede all your labors with earnest, diligent prayer. Do not rest on the number of tracts you have given because a million tracts may not lead to the conversion of one single soul. Yet, a blessing beyond calculation may result from one single tract. Expect everything to come from the blessing of the Lord and nothing at all from your own exertions." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 16 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #264) | March 19, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 18:1 which reads: "And he [Jesus] spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: This parable has its key hanging at the door; the drift and design of it are prefixed. Christ spoke it with this intent, to teach us that men ought always to pray and not to faint. It supposes that all God’s people are praying people; all God’s children keep up both a constant and an occasional correspondence with him, send to him statedly, and upon every emergency. It is our privilege and honour that we may pray. It is our duty; we ought to pray, we sin if we neglect it. It is to be our constant work; we ought always to pray, it is that which the duty of every day requires. We must pray, and never grow weary of praying, nor think of leaving it off till it comes to be swallowed up in everlasting praise. But that which seems particularly designed here is to teach us constancy and perseverance in our requests for some spiritual mercies that we are in pursuit of, relating either to ourselves or to the church of God. When we are praying for strength against our spiritual enemies, our lusts and corruptions, which are our worst enemies, we must continue instant in prayer, must pray and not faint, for we shall not seek God’s face in vain. So we must likewise in our prayers for the deliverance of the people of God out of the hands of their persecutors and oppressors. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Phillips Brooks. He said: "Every true prayer has its background and its foreground. The foreground of prayer is the intense, immediate desire for a certain blessing which seems to be absolutely necessary for the soul to have; the background of prayer is the quiet, earnest desire that the will of God, whatever it may be, should be done. What a picture is the perfect prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane! In front burns the strong desire to escape death and to live; but behind there stands, calm and strong, the craving of the whole life for the doing of the will of God... Leave out the foreground, let there be no expression of the will of him who prays, and there is left a pure submission which is almost fatalism. Leave out the background, let there be no acceptance of the will of God, and the prayer is only an expression of self-will, a petulant claiming of the uncorrected choice of him who prays. Only when the two are there together, the special desire resting on the universal submission, the universal submission opening into the special desire is the picture perfect and the prayer complete." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 16 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Faith comes by asking for it. If you want more faith, then ask God for it. Several Scriptures make it clear that we have a right to pray for faith and that God gives faith in answer to sincere prayer. Romans 12:3 warns us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, "but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Faith, then, is a gift of God. In 1 Corinthians 12:9 we are told that faith is given by the same Holy Spirit who gives wisdom and knowledge and the gifts of healing and miracles, of prophecy and other such gifts. Faith is a gift of God. Then we have the same right to pray for that as we have to pray for knowledge and wisdom and for other good things. It is in the same passage mentioned as a manifestation of the Spirit. And 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, closes with the exhortation, "But covet earnestly the best gifts." Christians ought to want and ask God for faith. Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your |
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| PLAY | John Trapp said, "To have an effectual prayer there must concur the intention of the mind and the affections of the heart; else it is not praying but parroting." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #204) | March 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Chronicles 16:11 which reads: "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from D.A. Carson. He said, "Prayer is the product of [our] passion for people... Unaffected fervency in prayer is not whipped-up emotionalism but the overflow of [our] love for brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. That means that if we are to improve our praying, we must strengthen our loving. As we grow in disciplined, self-sacrificing love, so we will grow in intercessory prayer. Superficially fervent prayers devoid of such love are finally phony, hollow, shallow." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 15 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #263) | March 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 4:7 which reads: "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We have here an awful position or doctrine, and an inference drawn from it. The position is that the end of all things is at hand. The miserable destruction of the Jewish church and nation foretold by our Saviour is now very near; consequently, the time of their persecution and your sufferings is but very short. Your own life and that of your enemies will soon come to their utmost period. Nay, the world itself will not continue very long. The conflagration will put an end to it; and all things must be swallowed up in an endless eternity. The inference from this comprises a series of exhortations. First, to sobriety and watchfulness: "Be you therefore sober." Let the frame and temper of your minds be grave, stayed, and solid; and observe strict temperance and sobriety in the use of all worldly enjoyments. Do not suffer yourselves to be caught with your former sins and temptations. Second, watch unto prayer. Take care that you be continually in a calm sober disposition, fit for prayer; and that you be frequent in prayers, lest this end come upon you unawares. We learn the consideration of our approaching end is a powerful argument to make us sober in all worldly matters, and earnest in religious affairs. Those who would pray to purpose must watch unto prayer. They must watch over their own spirits, watch all fit opportunities, and do their duty in the best manner they can. Our prayer motivator quote today is from William Gurnall. He said: "Pray often rather than very long at a time. It is hard to be very long in prayer, and not slacken in our affections." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 15 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Allow me to tell you about a time when I knelt under a chapparel bush as a lad before I rode off to college. Years later, in 1926, I gave up a happy pastorate, with a regular salary and a nicely furnished parsonage. The church had doubled its membership; we had built a nice new building; we had had hundreds saved. People wanted me to stay, but I felt God calling me to go out into the white harvest field of evangelism. I made a solemn covenant with God: "Lord, You look after my business and I will look after Yours. I will give up all regular salary and not look to man but will look to You. I will give up my $10,000 government insurance. I promise You not to fret about daily bread. I believe You will supply all my needs and I here and now lay myself on the altar to go anywhere You say, to do what You tell me, and to risk You to care for me and my family." Praise His name, God has kept His part of that bargain. He has kept my growing family and supplied all our needs. He has provided for enormous printing bills, a heavy staff, and a weekly nationwide radio broadcast. God has provided for our needs bountifully, and we have lived a life of resting in God's faithfulness. I know a lot more about God than I did when I entered into that covenant. My faith is much stronger. Your faith, too, will grow, if you really take God up on His proposition, if you try Him on His promises, and promise to prove His faithfulness! + Plus, listen to the Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Jonathan Edwards said, "There is no way that Christians in a private capacity can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom of Christ, as by prayer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #203) | March 15, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Ephesians 3:20 which reads: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She said, "O God, make us desperate, and grant us faith and boldness to approach Your throne and make our petitions known, knowing that in doing we link arms with Omnipotence and become instruments of Your eternal purposes being fulfilled on this earth." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 14 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #262) | March 15, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 9:28-29 which reads: "And when he [Jesus] was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The disciples enquired of Jesus privately why they could not cast out the devil, that wherein they were defective might be made up another time, and they might not again be thus publicly shamed; and he told them, this kind can come forth by nothing but prayer and fasting. Whatever other difference there really might be, none appears between this and other kinds, but that the unclean spirit had had possession of this poor patient from a child, and that strengthened his interest, and confirmed his hold. When vicious habits are rooted by long usage, and begin to plead prescription, like chronical diseases that are hardly cured, can the Ethiopian change his skin? The disciples must not think to do their work always with ease; some services call them to take more than ordinary pains; but Christ can do that with a word’s speaking, which they must prevail for the doing of by prayer and fasting. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Oswald Sanders. He said: "The leader must use God’s power to move human hearts in the direction he believes to be the will of God. Through prayer the leader has the key to that complicated lock… In prayer we deal directly with God and only in a secondary sense other people. The goal of prayer is the ear of God. Prayer moves others through God’s influence on them. It is not the prayer that moves people, but the God to whom we pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 14 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Did you know that faith is not primarily feeling? No, primarily, faith is acting. Read again that great hero chapter, Hebrews 11, and you will find that every one of these "by faith" did something! "By faith Abel offered...." "By faith Enoch was translated..." "By faith Noah...prepared an ark." "By faith Abraham...went out." "By faith he sojourned..." "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac." "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come." "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph." "By faith [of the parents] Moses...was hid three months of his parents." Go on through the chapter and you will see that by faith people did things. Abraham accounted that God was able to raise up Isaac, so he offered him. God met Abraham, and it was not as hard to trust Him any more. Why do you not, then, act on God's promises? Try God out. Put yourself in the place where if God's Word is true, you will be blessed; if God's Word is not true, you may be ruined. And when God works out His plan and does what He promised to do, your faith will have greatly grown. The life that is lived on the daily basis of "I will do what God tells me to do, and will risk Him to take care of the results," is sure to be a life of daily expanding faith, as God makes His faithfulness known. + Plus, listen to Avalon singing "If My People..." |
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| PLAY | C.H. Spurgeon said, "I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #202) | March 14, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 143:1 which reads: “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Karl Graustein. He said, "Jesus taught us how to pray, told us to always pray and not give up, encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, got up early to pray, modeled how to pray, and in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed in preparation for His arrest and death. Jesus modeled prayer and expected His followers to pray." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 13 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #261) | March 14, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is the same verse as yesterday's broadcast, which is Psalm 116:2 which reads: "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David resolved to devote himself entirely to God and to his honour. He will love God the better. He begins the psalm somewhat abruptly with a profession of that which his heart was full of: I love the Lord; and fitly does he begin with this, in compliance with the first and great commandment and with God’s end in all the gifts of his bounty to us. God’s love of compassion towards us justly requires our love of complacency in him. He will love prayer the better: Therefore I will call upon him. The experiences we have had of God’s goodness to us, in answer to prayer, are great encouragements to us to continue praying; we have sped well, notwithstanding our unworthiness and our infirmities in prayer, and therefore why may we not? God answers prayer, to make us love it, and expects this from us, in return for his favour. Why should we glean in any other field when we have been so well treated in this? Nay, I will call upon him as long as I live. As long as we continue living we must continue praying. This breath we must breathe till we breathe our last, because then we shall take our leave of it, and till then we have continual occasion for it. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Bill Thrasher. He said: "There is a difference between a fleshly stubbornness and a godly perseverance. The former insists on getting one’s will done in heaven, and the latter determines to get God’s will done on earth." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 13 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Oh, how my heart rejoices when I look back through some testing times in my own life, when I resolved I would give God a chance. A committee of good men, strict denominationalists, waited on me demanding that I cease my contention about modernism and evolution as taught in certain denominational schools. They threatened I should be blacklisted by the denomination, that I would never be invited to revivals, that my family would suffer want and that my ministry would wane. When the opposite proved true, as I put God to the test and depended on Him, what a victory I had! Again, a wicked man, from personal spite, slandered me and had a pastor and church cancel a proposed revival campaign. Without money for a return trip, I drove 1800 miles for the revival campaign anyway. That church, when it saw the evidence, reconsidered and the revival effort grew into a big united campaign with 8 or 9 churches in an auditorium seating 2200 people, which continued for 6 weeks, with hundreds of souls saved and the whole city shaken and blessed! How my heart has leaped for joy upon every rememberance of that testing! Debts once pressed me sore, accumulated on my weekly evangelistic paper, The Sword of the Lord, and in printing booklets. It was a labor of love, and the burden had seemed to get too heavy for me. Satan tempted me through a good church and preacher. If I would remain over an extra Sunday in a certain campaign a good offering was promised. But I did what I knew I ought to do, and went home with a meager offering they gave me for 10 days. The next day a check came for $1000 to pay those haunting, crushing debts. Never since that time have I been so burdened or tried about printing Gospel literature, and now more money is spent on printing each month than I then spent in a year. My faith grew because it was tested and I found God keeps His promises. GOD IS TRUSTWORTHY! GOD WILL DO WHAT HE PROMISES! Anybody in the world can know that if he will only give God a chance to prove it. Take G |
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| PLAY | E.M. Bounds said, "Importunate Praying is the Earnest Inward Movement of the Heart Toward God." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #201) | March 13, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 1:6-7 which reads: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Bill Thrasher. He said, "There is a difference between a fleshly stubbornness and a godly perseverance. The former insists on getting one’s will done in heaven, and the latter determines to get God’s will done on earth." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 12 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #260) | March 13, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 116:2 which reads: "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: In this part of the psalm we have a general account of David’s experience, and his pious resolutions (v. 1, v. 2), which are as the contents of the whole psalm, and give an idea of it. 1. He had experienced God’s goodness to him in answer to prayer: He has heard my voice and my supplications. David, in straits, had humbly and earnestly begged mercy of God, and God had heard him, that is, had graciously accepted his prayer, taken cognizance of his case, and granted him an answer of peace. He has inclined his ear to me. This intimates his readiness and willingness to hear prayer; he lays his ear, as it were, to the mouth of prayer, to hear it, though it be but whispered in groanings that cannot be uttered. He hearkens and hears, Jer. 8:6 . Yet it implies, also, that it is wonderful condescension in God to hear prayer; it is bowing his ear. Lord, what is man, that God should thus stoop to him! We will study this verse further in our next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from J.C. Ryle. He said: "We are sometimes tempted to think that we get no good by our prayers, and that we may as well give them up altogether. Let us resist the temptation. It comes from the devil. Let us believe, and pray on. Against our besetting sins, against the spirit of the world, against the wiles of the devil, let us pray on, and not faint. For strength to do duty, for grace to bear our trials, for comfort in every trouble, let us continue in prayer. Let us be sure that no time is so well-spent in every day, as that which we spend upon our knees. Jesus hears us, and in His own good time will give an answer... He may sometimes keep us long waiting...but He will never send us empty away.." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 12 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Why don't you, in the first time of trial and testing, resolve simply to act as if there were a good God who will do exactly what He promised, and will care for His own? You may have doubts about it. I think the Hebrew children when brought before Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to bow before the great image in the plain of Dura, did not know that God was going to save them out of the fiery furnace. They thought so, they hoped so, but very possibly they trembled and they said in Daniel 3:17-18, "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." They believed God would deliver them, but they were resolved to try it anyway. Even if they should die in that furnace, they would do what they knew God wanted them to do and leave the results with God. And when the One came who was "like the Son of God" and walked with them in the fiery furnace; when their garments did not even receive the smell of fire but only their bonds were burned off and they were free men; when they came forth to face the astonished and converted King Nebuchadnezzar and his princes, those Hebrew young men had a greater faith in God! + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Robert Reymond said, "When You Pray, Remember Whose Attention You Wish to Gain." (The Prayer Motivator Minute #200) | March 12, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 22:41 which reads: "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Thomas Brooks. He said, "Christ choosing solitude for private prayer, doth not only hint to us the danger of distraction and deviation of thoughts in prayer, but how necessary it is for us to choose the most convenient places we can for private prayer. Our own fickleness and Satan’s restlessness call upon us to get into such places where we may freely pour out our soul into the bosom of God." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 11 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #259) | March 12, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which reads: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: National repentance, prayer, and reformation, are required, v. 14. God expects that his people who are called by his name, if they have dishonoured his name by their iniquity, should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must be humble themselves under his hand, must pray for the removal of the judgment, must seek the face and favour of God; and yet all this will not do unless they turn from their wicked ways, and return to the God from whom they have revolted. National mercy is then promised, that God will forgive their sin, which brought the judgment upon them, and then heal their land, redress all their grievances. Pardoning mercy makes ways for healing mercy. Our prayer motivator quote today is from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He said: "When a man is speaking to God he is at his very acme. It is the highest activity of the human soul, and therefore it is at the same time the ultimate test of a man’s true spiritual condition. There is nothing that tells the truth about us as Christian people so much as our prayer life. Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 11 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. In order to help grow your faith, you can win souls. God's Word is clear in Psalm 126:6 that if you really go weeping, bearing precious seed, you shall doubtless come back rejoicing with sheaves. Jesus in the Great Commission plainly promised that if we go to win souls and baptize them and teach them to go, that "lo, I am with you alway." Why don't you, in your timidity, in your conscious ignorance, in your faltering, even in your unbelief, set out to see if God's Word can be trusted on that point? Go earnestly, with real labor, really searching out lost people. Go with a broken heart of concern and holy compassion, wrought in you by the Spirit of God. Go with the Word of God, which is the precious seed. And as certain as God's Word is true, you will come back with some sheaves and with rejoicing. You will not win everybody you speak to, just as no fisherman gets a fish for every bait, and just as no farmer gets a stalk of corn for every seed, but you will get some fruit if you go God's way. Why don't you try it and see? When you have tried it once, you will know that the Word of God is true. You will know it in a way you never knew it before. A teacher may become a modernist, but a real evangelist cannot become a modernist. For God's Word proves itself when you try it out. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | A Man May Study Because his Brain is Hungry for Knowledge, Even Bible Knowledge. But he Prays because his Soul is Hungry for God (The Prayer Motivator Minute #199) | March 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 3:12 which reads: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Jim Cymbala. He said, "Prayer cannot truly be taught by principles and seminars and symposiums. It has to be born out of a whole environment of felt need. If I say, "I ought to pray," I will soon run out of motivation and quit; the flesh is too strong. I have to be driven to pray." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 10 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #258) | March 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:14 which say reads: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here we have,I. A privilege belonging to faith in Christ, namely, audience in prayer: This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us, v. 14. The Lord Christ emboldens us to come to God in all circumstances, with all our supplications and requests. Through him our petitions are admitted and accepted of God. The matter of our prayer must be agreeable to the declared will of God. It is not fit that we should ask what is contrary either to his majesty and glory or to our own good, who are his and dependent on him. And then we may have confidence that the prayer of faith shall be heard in heaven.II. The advantage accruing to us by such privilege: If we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him, v. 15. Great are the deliverances, mercies, and blessings, which the holy petitioner needs. To know that his petitions are heard or accepted is as good as to know that they are answered; and therefore that he is so pitied, pardoned, or counselled, sanctified, assisted, and saved (or shall be so) as he is allowed to ask of God. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said: "It is the burning lava of the soul that has a furnace within- a very volcano of grief and sorrow- it is that burning lava of prayer that finds its way to God. No prayer ever reaches God's heart which does not come from our hearts." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 10 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. I remember that day when on a farm in West Texas I went out by the woodpile, through the pea-patch, crawled through the strands of a barbed wire fence, down in the "brakes" and knelt under a chapparel bush and committed certain things to God. I told Him I would tithe. I promised that if He wanted me to preach I would, that if He wanted me to sing I would. I told Him that I was going to college and risk Him for my needs. How could I ever forget that holy hour! God went with me as I saddled my sorrel horse and rode off to college with about $9.35 in my pocket. I worked my way through Junior College and University. I played football. I was active in college debating. I was president of a literary society and of the University Christian Association. I took voice lessons. I did all this and did enough outside work to pay my expenses. How I earned a scholarship and how there was always a job awaiting me I could never explain, except that I had a covenant with God and I put Him to a test. Since then, I have had such a boldness on this matter that I have no trouble about daily provision. Why don't you set out to put Him to the test on the money question, trusting Him fully in material matters? Start out today to give God the tithe, then free-will offerings beside. Tell Him that all of it is His and that by His help you will risk Him---that He may have it all or any part He chooses. You will find that God proves Himself in daily supply. Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." That is a good place to start trying God out and growing your faith by using it. + Plus, listen to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | Mastering the Art of Prayer, Like Any Other Art, Will Take Time, and the Amount of Time We Allocate to it Will be the True Measure of Our Conception of its Importance (The Prayer Motivator Minute #198) | March 8, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 9:6 which reads: "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Charles Hummel. He said, "P.T. Forsyth once said, 'The worst sin is prayerlessness.' We usually think of murder, adultery, or theft as among the worst. But the root of all sin is self-sufficiency, independence from God. When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength, we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him. How much of our service is characterized by "going it alone?"" |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 9 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #257) | March 8, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 86:7 which reads: "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: David was in a special manner earnest with God in prayer when he was in affliction (v. 7): "In the day of my trouble, whatever others do, I will call upon thee, and commit my case to thee, for thou wilt hear and answer me, and I shall not seek in vain, as those did who cried, O Baal! hear us; but there was no voice, nor any that regarded,’’ (1 Ki. 18:29) ...It is thus our duty to pray always, without ceasing, and to continue instant in prayer; and then we may hope to have our prayers heard which we make in the time of trouble, if we have made conscience of the duty at other times, at all times. It is comfortable if an affliction finds the wheels of prayer a-going, and that they are not then to be set a-going. Our prayer motivator quote today is from D.A. Carson. He said: "We don’t drift into spiritual life; we do not drift into disciplined prayer. We do not grow in prayer unless we plan to pray. That means we must set aside time to do nothing but pray. What we actually do reflects our highest priorities. That means that we can proclaim our commitment to prayer until the cows come home, but unless we actually pray, our actions disown our words." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 9 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Another way that we can exercise our faith and grow greater faith in God is by acting on the faith we have. Every child of God already has faith in God. You meet the requirement of Hebrews 11:6, at least in part. You do believe that there is a God and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. You feel that your faith is weak. You often wonder how you can have more faith. Well, one way to grow a great, robust faith is to act on God's promises. Put God to the test. He will prove Himself, and you will have a stronger assurance than ever before that you can rely on God's faithfulness. To doubting Thomas, Jesus said in John 20:27, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." So doubting Thomas did not put his finger in the nailprints and in Jesus' side, then fell in adoration and in strong faith before Jesus, saying, "My Lord and my God." To the other disciples, Jesus made a similar proposition in Luke 24:39, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Never think it wrong to give God a chance to prove Himself. In Malachi 3:10 the Lord said, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." "Prove me now!" says the Lord. God is perfectly willing for you to try Him out. Suppose you try Him on the tithing business. Should Christians tithe? Or is that simply an ordinance for Jews in the Old Testament? And does it really pay poor people to tithe, when they do not have money for even the necessities of life? The quickest way to settle that is not by argument. Give God a chance and He will prove it! + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Unceasing Prayer is God’s Avenue for His Children to React to All Happenings (The Prayer Motivator Minute #197) | March 7, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 7: 11, which reads: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "Through His Spirit, the Spirit of prayer, our life may be one of continual prayer. The Spirit of prayer will help you become an intercessor, asking great things of God for those around you." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 8 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #256) | March 7, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is the same as yesterday's which is Matthew 6:5, which reads: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here we observe also, (3.) The Pharisees' pride in choosing these public places, which is expressed in two things: [1.] They love to pray there. They did not love prayer for its own sake, but they loved it when it gave them an opportunity of making themselves noticed. Circumstances may be such, that our good deeds must needs be done openly, so as to fall under the observation of others, and be commended by them; but the sin and danger is when we love it, and are pleased with it, because it feeds the proud humour. [2.] It is that they may be seen of men; not that God might accept them, but that men might admire and applaud them; and that they might easily get the estates of widows and orphans into their hands (who would not trust such devout, praying men?) and that, when they had them, they might devour them without being suspected ch. 23:14 ); and effectually carry on their public designs to enslave the people.(4.) The product of all this, they have their reward; they have all the recompence they must ever expect from God for their service, and a poor recompence it is. What will it avail us to have the good word of our fellow-servants, if our Master do not say, Well done? But if in so great a transaction as is between us and God, when we are at prayer, we can take in so poor a consideration as the praise of men is, it is just that that should be all our reward. They did it to be seen of men, and they are so; and much good may it do them. Note, Those that would approve themselves to God by their integrity in their religion, must have to regard to the praise of men; it is not to men that we pray, nor from them that we expect an answer; they are not to be our judges, they are dust and ashes like ourselves, and therefore we must not have our eye to them: what passes between God and our own souls must be out of sight. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said: "We may expect answers to prayer, and should not be easy without them any more than we should be if we had written a letter to a friend upon important business, and had received no reply." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 8 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Each Christian, in growing faith, should make sure that he is fully surrendered to the will of God. And the will of God is found in the Bible and in the leading of the Holy Spirit. That means that we need the Holy Spirit of God to rightly interpret God's Word. The Bible is "the sword of the Spirit." So the Spirit can interpret and use His own writing, the Word, better than anyone else. Self-willed, haughty people sometimes get the letter of the Word without the Spirit, but to know the mind of God we need to wait humbly on God's Spirit. And there is no real understanding of the Bible and no real approach to the Holy of Holies of God's gracious fellowship without a heart-surrender to God's will. No one can know the Bible intellectually who does not let the Bible apply to his own heart. One who reads the Bible with child-like surrender and honest acceptance will find that the Scripture points out his sins, rebukes his unbelief, and presses on him faults to be corrected, duties to be done. The Bible is not only for the head; it is for the heart and the will. So to get the real impact of the Scripture, we must surrender our lives to the blessed leading of the Spirit of God. I have often felt that it is |
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| PLAY | It is Only When Whatsoever We do is Done in His Name that He Will Do Whatsoever We Ask in His Name (The Prayer Motivator Minute #196) | March 6, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 15:16 which reads: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Muller. He said, "Suppose that we believers in the Lord Jesus make our requests to God. Suppose also that, as far as we can honestly judge, the obtaining of our requests would be for our spiritual good and for the honor of God. We must then continue in prayer until the blessing is given to us. Furthermore, we have to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained and in not expecting the blessing. As assuredly as any individual uses these points, so assuredly will his requests be granted." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 7 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #255) | March 6, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 6:5, which reads: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here we observe, 1. What was the way and practice of the hypocrites. In all their exercises of devotion, it was plain, the chief thing they aimed at was to be commended by their neighbours, and thereby to make an interest for themselves. When they seemed to soar upwards in prayer (and if it be right, it is the soul’s ascent toward God), yet even then their eye was downwards upon this as their prey. Observe, (1.) What the places were which they chose for their devotions; they prayed in the synagogues, which were indeed proper places for public prayer, but not for personal. They pretended hereby to do honour to the place of their assemblies, but intended to do honour to themselves. They prayed in the corners of the streets, the broad streets (so the word signifies), which were most frequented. They withdrew thither, as if they were under a pious impulse which would not admit delay, but really it was to cause themselves to be taken notice of. There, where two streets met, they were not only within view of both, but every passenger turning close upon them would observe them, and hear what they said. (2.) The posture they used in prayer; they prayed standing; this is a lawful and proper posture for prayer (Mk. 11:25 , When ye stand praying ), but kneeling being the more humble and reverent gesture, (Lu. 22:41 ; Acts. 7:60 ; Eph. 3:14), their standing seemed to savour of pride and confidence in themselves (Lu. 18:11 ), The Pharisee stood and prayed. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Through His Spirit, the Spirit of prayer, our life may be one of continual prayer. The Spirit of prayer will help you become an intercessor, asking great things of God for those around you." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 7 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Full surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to the will of God is another way by which we can exercise our faith and grow greater faith in God. The will of God is found in the Bible and in the leading of the Holy Spirit of God to a surrendered heart. And let no one think he can be great in prayer or in faith except he abide in Christ with a heart surrendered to the will of God. Prayer is not a way of taking from God things He does not want you to have. Rather, prayer is intended to find what is God's sweet will, then to ask for and receive all that God has for us. And what God has for us is so much richer and better and happier than what we can desire in our own will that there is no comparison. Praying in the will of God means bigger prayers, not smaller ones; bigger answers, not smaller answers. Praying in God's will means not so much giving up as getting. let there be no mistake; real faith is exercised only in the will of God. God never gives faith for things contrary to His will. Nothing is as fatal to confidence about prayer as known sin in the heart. First John 3:20-22 says: "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." If your heart condemns you that you are not in God's will, that you do not keep His commandments, that you do not ask for things according to His will, the |
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| PLAY | Prayer is an Art Which Only the Spirit Can Teach Us. He is the Giver of All Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #195) | March 5, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Zechariah 4:6, which reads: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Shoemaker. He said, "Don't pray to escape trouble. Don't pray to be comfortable in your emotions. Pray to do the will of God in every situation. Nothing else is worth praying for." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #254) | March 5, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 6:5, which reads: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: In prayer we have more immediately to do with God than in giving alms, and therefore are yet more concerned to be sincere, which is what we are here directed to. When thou prayest (v. 5). It is taken for granted that all the disciples of Christ pray. As soon as ever Paul was converted, behold he prayeth. You may as soon find a living man that does not breathe, as a living Christian that does not pray. For this shall every one that is godly pray. If prayerless, then graceless. "Now, when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are, nor do as they do,’’ v. 2. Note, Those who would not do as the hypocrites do in their ways and actions must not be as the hypocrites are in their frame and temper. He names nobody, but it appears by ch. 23:13 , that by the hypocrites here he means especially the scribes and Pharisees.Now there were two great faults they were guilty of in prayer, against each of which we are here cautioned—vain-glory (v. 5, v. 6); and vain repetitions, v. 7, v. 8.I. We must not be proud and vain-glorious in prayer, nor aim at the praise of men. We will discuss this verse further in the next broadcast. Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: "The church is not a democracy in which we have chosen God, but a theocracy in which He has chosen us. The church is the only society in the world that never loses any of its members, even by death. The church upon its knees would bring heaven upon the earth." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 6 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. In John 15:7 we are told, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." That blessed promise evidently means that if we abide in Christ and so surrender our will to His, and particularly as His Word, the Scriptures, abides in us, and as we become familiar with His promises and His nature, we can ask for anything we want and get it. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. No one can ever have faith who does not make much of the Word of God. That is the reason, no doubt, that Proverbs 28:9 says, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." There is no such thing as right praying, prayer that really gets things from God, the prayer of faith, except as it fits in with the spirit of God's Word. To become familiar with the Bible, with a heart-familiarity, is to become familiar with God---who He is, how He acts, and what He has promised to do. Let no Christian ever believe he will grow strong in faith except as he grows strong in a love for and in enjoyment of and in a heart-surrender to the teachings of the Bible. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | Never Make the Blunder of Trying to Forecast the Way God is Going to Answer Your Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #194) | March 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 5:43-44, which reads: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "It will be a wonderful moment for some of us when we stand before God and find that the prayers we clamored for in early days and imagined were never answered, have been answered in the most amazing way, and that God’s silence has been the sign of the answer. If we always want to be able to point to something and say, “This is the way God answered my prayer,” God cannot trust us yet with His silence." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #253) | March 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which reads: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary. This will end the commentary from the past two broadcasts on this verse: In all godliness and honesty. Here we have our duty as Christians summed up in two words: godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, a good conduct towards all men. These two must go together; we are not truly honest if we are not godly, and do not render to God his due; and we are not truly godly if we are not honest, for God hates robbery for burnt-offering. Here we may observe, 1. Christians are to be men much given to prayer: they ought to abound herein, and should use themselves to prayers, supplications, etc. 2. In our prayers we are to have a generous concern for others as well as for ourselves; we are to pray for all men, and to give thanks for all men; and must not confine our prayers nor thanksgiving to our own persons or families. Prayer consists of various parts, of supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings; for we must pray for the mercies we want, as well as be thankful for mercies already received; and we are to deprecate the judgments which our own sins or the sins of others have deserved. 4. All men, yea, kings themselves, and those who are in authority, are to be prayed for. They want our prayers, for they have many difficulties to encounter, many snares to which their exalted stations expose them. 5. In praying for our governors, we take the most likely course to lead a peaceable and quiet life. The Jews at Babylon were commanded to seek the peace of the city whither the Lord had caused them to be carried captives, and to pray to the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof they should have peace, Jer. 29:7 . If we would lead a peaceable and quiet life, we must live in all godliness and honesty; we must do our duty to God and man. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Oswald Chambers. He said: "The prayer of the feeblest saint who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan. The very powers of darkness are paralyzed by prayer; no spiritualistic séance can succeed in the presence of a humble praying saint. No wonder Satan tries to keep our minds fussy in active work till we cannot think in prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Our faith also comes through the Word of God as we become familiar with God's nature. When I read the story of how Jesus saved the dying thief and said, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise," I do not read therein any express promise to me, but I become familiar with the tender compassion of Jesus. I learn how He loves sinners, how quick He is to forgive! And I naturally think in my heart, "If Jesus loves that poor sinner, He loves me, too. And if He saved that poor sinner immediately after a simple prayer of faith, 'Lord, remember me,' then He would save me the same way. As I read how Jesus stilled the waves of the sea, I learn to know of His power. As I read how He fed the five thousand with the five barley loaves and two small fishes of a little boy, I come to have more confidence that Jesus cares about hunger of the body and that He can do, oh, so much, with so little! As I read the Bible I find that Jesus cleansed the lepers, healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, forgave the fallen woman and the publican alike. And so, in the Bible, I have become familiar with the tender heart of God, His mighty power, His approachabilit |
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| PLAY | The Highest Position, in the Greatest and Most Complicated Monarchy, Did Not Keep Daniel from Daily, Frequent Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #193) | March 1, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Proverbs 15:8 which reads: "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Roger Steer. He said, "The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not go on praying; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God’s glory, they should pray until they get it." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #252) | March 1, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which reads: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary. This continues the commentary from yesterday's broadcast on this verse: Pray for kings (v. 2); though the kings at this time were heathens, enemies to Christianity, and persecutors of Christians, yet they must pray for them, because it is for the public good that there should be civil government, and proper persons entrusted with the administration of it, for whom therefore we ought to pray, yea, though we ourselves suffer under them. For kings, and all that are in authority, that is, inferior magistrates: we must pray for them, and we must give thanks for them, pray for their welfare and for the welfare of their kingdoms, and therefore must not plot against them, that in the peace thereof we may have peace, and give thanks for them and for the benefit we have under their government, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Here see what we must desire for kings, that God will so turn their hearts, and direct them and make use of them, that we under them may lead a quiet and peaceable life. He does not say, "that we may get preferments under them, grow rich, and be in honour and power under them;’’ no, the summit of the ambition of a good Christian is to lead a quiet and peaceable life, to get through the world unmolested in a low private station. We should desire that we and others may lead a peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, implying that we cannot expect to be kept quiet and peaceable unless we keep in all godliness and honesty. Let us mind our duty, and then we may expect to be taken under the protection both of God and the government. Our prayer motivator quote today is from George Muller. He said: "It is not possible to live in sin, and at the same time, by communion with God, draw down from heaven everything one needs for this life." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND GROW GREATER FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. The ultra-dispensationalist, like the modernist, does great harm to faith. Those who chop up the Bible saying most of it is for the Jews, part was for a transitional period, and only a few of the epistles are really written for Christians today, mutilate the Bible and thereby mutilate the basis of faith. God's promises are yea and amen, but they do no good to one who does not believe them and apply them to himself. So believe the Bible, and then count it as the very Word of God, to be believed in child-like sincerity. Then set out to find exactly what are God's promises for you. As you learn God's promises in their proper settings, and become familiar with the things God has obligated Himself to do for those in your circumstances, then you can grow more and more to depend on God's Word. Faith comes thus by the Word of God as you learn His promises. + Plus, listen to Babbie Mason singing "Pray On" |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #251) | February 29, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which reads: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The disciples of Christ must be praying people; all, without distinction of nation, sect, rank, or party. Our duty as Christians, is summed up in two words; godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men. These must go together: we are not truly honest, if we are not godly, and do not render to God his due; and we are not truly godly, if not honest. What is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, we should abound in. There is one Mediator, and that Mediator gave himself a ransom for all. And this appointment has been made for the benefit of the Jews and the Gentiles of every nation; that all who are willing may come in this way, to the mercy-seat of a pardoning God, to seek reconciliation with him. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said: "All our libraries and studies are mere emptiness compared with our closets. We grow, we wax mighty, we prevail in private prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "HOW TO USE YOUR FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Take the promises of God to heart. Take them as personal to yourself. Search out the Scriptures; meditate over them lovingly; pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand them that you may get exactly what is the sense of God's promises and how they are to apply to you. Only as you get the exact meaning of God's promise can you know what He has obligated Himself to do and what you can count on His doing. This comes through an understanding of the Word of God. The Holy Spirit builds faith in the heart by the means of God's Word, particularly His blessed promises. Modernism, then, cuts the tap root of faith. It teaches people that the Bible is not reliable, that it is not really the Word of God, that the promises cannot be relied upon. The acceptance of the Bible as what it claimes to be --- the very Word of God, infallibly correct, to be absolutely trusted --- is necessary to faith. You would not be wil ling to receive a check that you knew was forged. You could have no faith in it. Unless you believe the Bible really is God's Word and that the promises are His and that He is really obligated to make them good, you will never risk them, depend upon them, act on them in faith. |
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| PLAY | A Holy Life Does Not Live in the Closet, but it Cannot Live Without the Closet (The Prayer Motivator Minute #192) | February 29, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 25:1, which reads: “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Muller. He said, "Precede all your labors with earnest, diligent prayer. Do not rest on the number of tracts you have given because a million tracts may not lead to the conversion of one single soul. Yet, a blessing beyond calculation may result from one single tract. Expect everything to come from the blessing of the Lord and nothing at all from your own exertions." |
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| PLAY | Every Convert is the Result of the Holy Spirit's Pleading in Answer to the Prayers of Some Believer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #191) | February 28, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 25:1, which reads: “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Muller. He said, "Precede all your labors with earnest, diligent prayer. Do not rest on the number of tracts you have given because a million tracts may not lead to the conversion of one single soul. Yet, a blessing beyond calculation may result from one single tract. Expect everything to come from the blessing of the Lord and nothing at all from your own exertions." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #250) | February 28, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Samuel 1:10 and 15 which reads: “And [Hannah] was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore...And Hannah answered [Eli] and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Hannah mingled tears with her prayers; she considered the mercy of our God, who knows the troubled soul. God gives us leave, in prayer, not only to ask good things in general, but to mention that special good thing we most need and desire...Hannah went away with satisfaction of mind. She had herself by prayer committed her case to God, and Eli had prayed for her. Prayer is heart's ease to a gracious soul. Prayer will smooth the countenance; it should do so. None will long remain miserable, who use aright the privilege of going to the mercy-seat of a reconciled God in Christ Jesus. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Douglas Moo. He said: "The faith exercised in prayer is faith in the God who sovereignly accomplishes His will. When we pray, our faith recognizes, explicitly or implicitly, the overruling providential purposes of God. We may at times be given insight into that will, enabling us to pray with absolute confidence in God’s plan to answer as we ask. But surely those cases are rare – more rare even than our subjective, emotional desires would lead us to suspect." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "HOW TO USE YOUR FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Over the next few broadcasts, we are going to study together some ways to have faith: The first way to have faith is to learn the Word of God. We are plainly told in Romans 10:17 that "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Originally, the Word of God was principally gotten by hearing instead of reading. There were few copies of the Word of God, all copied by hand. Most people could not read, so they got the Word of God secondhand. So faith came by hearing, that is, hearing the Word of God. But the essential point is that faith principally comes by familiarity and heart-understanding of the Word of God. If you want to have faith in God, you must know His Word. That is true, first of all, because faith is based upon God's promises. If God said He would do a thing, He will. If God made a proposition, He will stick to it when it is accepted. God's guarantees are always fulfilled. But you will not know what God has promised unless you learn His Word. So one who wants to please God with a faith that gets prayers answered and gets for him all that God wishes to give him, should set out to find the blessed promises of God. Search for them through your Bible. Read them with delight. Mark them for quick reference. Memorize them so that the blessed assurance of them may sink into your soul. Learn God's promises if you would come to depend upon Him. + Plus, listen to B art Millard singing "Have a Little Talk with Jesus" |
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| PLAY | By Fasting, the Body Learns to Obey the Soul; by Praying the Soul Learns to Command the Body (The Prayer Motivator Minute #190) | February 27, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 17:1 which reads: "Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Raymond Kwong. He said, "If you sow in prayerlessness, you will reap powerlessness, peacelessness, joylessness, fruitlessness and backsliddenness." |
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| PLAY | How to Exercise Your Faith and Grow Greater Faith in God, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #249) | February 27, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 62:8 which reads: “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Those who have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves, will invite others into those ways; we shall never have the less for others sharing with us. the good counsel given is, to trust wholly in God. We must so trust in him at all times, as not at any time to put that trust in ourselves, or in any creature, which is to be put in him only. Trust in him to guide us when in doubt, to protect us when in danger, to supply us when in want, to strengthen us for every good word and work. We must lay out wants and our wishes before him, and then patiently submit our wills to his: this is pouring out our hearts. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Bill Thrasher. He said: "We might not be able to speak in any pulpit we choose, but we certainly can pray for any pulpit. People may not be willing to listen to us, but they cannot stop us from praying for them. We can only be in one place at one time, but our prayers can cover more than one continent. What an awesome opportunity to realize that you can cooperate with God and lift the spirit of an individual half a world away from you." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "HOW TO USE YOUR FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Can anybody have faith in God? I mean faith enough to live victoriously, get prayers answered regularly, faith enough to please God? Most certainly anyone can! And can anyone grow a really great faith, like the heroes of the Bible and like other men for whom God has done marvels? I believe they can. George Muller, the man of faith and prayer, founder of the orphanage at Bristol, England, who got $7 million dollars by prayer, says: Some say, "Oh I shall never have the gift of faith Mr. Muller has got." This is a mistake---it is the greatest error---there is not a particle of truth in it. My faith is the same kind of faith that all of God's children have had. It is the same kind that Simon Peter had, and all Christians may obtain like faith. My faith is their faith, though there may be more of it because my faith has been a little more developed by exercise than theirs; but their faith is precisely the faith I exercise, only, with regard to degree, mine may be more strongly exercised. About His best spiritual gift, is God partial? Is not salvation free to all on exactly the same basis? And does not the Bible say that "God is no respector of persons"? We remember that at Pentecost in Acts 2:4, "they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost." And again, when they prayed in Acts 4:31, "they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost." And 1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us plainly that "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to EVERY MAN to profit withal." These things would lead us to believe that great faith, triumphant, happy, victorious faith, is possible for every Christian. Otherwise, God would be a party to the sin of unbelief, which is unthinkable. But not to have faith in what God has promised is a sin. Not to believe God will do what He said is to make God a liar. And in Hebrews 12:1 we are plainly commanded to "lay aside every weight, and THE SIN which doth so easily beset us." That besetting sin is unbelief and we are commanded to lay it aside. Therefore, every one of us may lay it aside; every one of us can have a victorious, triumphant faith in God. + Plus, listen to Daniel Whyte Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | If You are a Stranger to Prayer You are a Stranger to Power (The Prayer Motivator Minute #189) | February 24, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Mueller. He said, "I have joyfully dedicated my whole life to the object of exemplifying how much may be accomplished by prayer and faith." |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 10 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #248) | February 24, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jeremiah 29:13 which reads: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: When the Lord pours out an especial spirit of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in mercy. Promises are given to quicken and encourage prayer. He never said, Seek ye me in vain. Our prayer motivator quote today is from A.B. Simpson. He said: "There is no wonder more supernatural and divine in the life of a believer than the mystery and ministry of prayer…the hand of the child touching the arm of the Father and moving the wheel of the universe." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the 10th and final part of our series titled "THE DEFINITION OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Christ was obligated to be merciful [to the Samaritan woman]! Christ could not be indifferent, could not be a respector of person, could not hate Samaritans as other Jews did. Since Christ was God, the God of all flesh, the Saviour of the world, she knew He was as willing to hear her as to hear anybody else. Her confidence, her assurance, her faith were based in the Christ she knew. Whether she had seen Him work miracles before, or whether she had seen the compassion in His face as He healed others, or whether she was an utter stranger and the blessed Holy Spirit had simply and directly revealed it in her heart, we do not know. But she trusted Him to do what He, out of His loving mercy, was constrained to do. Her faith was based on an intimate understanding of the real will of Christ and the real character of Christ. Oh, that we might know Him better so that we might always pray according to His will and believe how compassionate, how tender, how willing to bless us is He! + Plus, listen to Natalie Grant singing "Waiting for a Prayer" |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 9 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #247) | February 23, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 14:13-14 reads, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Whatever we ask in Christ's name, that shall be for our good, and suitable to our state, he shall give it to us. To ask in Christ's name, is to plead his merit and intercession, and to depend upon that plea. The gift of the Spirit is a fruit of Christ's mediation, bought by his merit, and received by his intercession. The word used here, signifies an advocate, counsellor, monitor, and comforter. He would abide with the disciples to the end of time; his gifts and graces would encourage their hearts. The expressions used here and elsewhere, plainly denote a person, and the office itself includes all the Divine perfections. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed upon the disciples of Christ, and not on the world. This is the favour God bears to his chosen. As the source of holiness and happiness, the Holy Spirit will abide with every believer for ever. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Thomas Brooks. He said: "The best and sweetest flowers of Paradise God gives to His people when they are upon their knees. Prayer is the gate of heaven, a key to let us in to Paradise." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 9 of our series titled "THE DEFINITION OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. An example of strong faith is that of the Syrophenician woman who came to Jesus to beg for the healing of her daughter who was grievously vexed with a devil, as recorded in Matthew 15:22-28. When He said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel," and again when He said, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs," still she did not believe His pretended indifference. He pretended that He came only to heal and save Jews, and no one else. He meant, I think, to try her faith and teach His narrow minded disciples a needed lesson. He pretended that He, like other Jews, thought of Gentiles as only dogs, not fit to call on God. But God's Holy Spirit had already revealed to her that Christ was really merciful and loving, that He came to seek and to save all who were sinners. So she would not believe He was as indifferent as He appeared to be. And to Christ's own delight she insisted that if she were a dog, she was His own dog and had a right to the crumbs from the table. He said to her with joy, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt." Her daughter was healed that very hour. She had faith in what she knew Jesus was. She knew He was merciful, though He did not outwardly appear to be so. She knew He was sent to save Gentiles the same as Jews, though He did not immediately answer her prayer. That was genuine faith, faith in what she knew Christ to be, faith in Him as He was revealed in her heart by the Holy Spirit, instead of what He pretended to be to test her faith and evidently as a lesson to the disciples. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Say a Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Nothing Lies Beyond the Reach of Prayer Except that Which Lies Outside the Will of God (The Prayer Motivator Minute #188) | February 23, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Romans 8:15 which reads: "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Tom Wells. He said, "Jesus has told us to pray, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”. And if we have ever prayed that prayer and meant it – even once – we have ourselves shut the door on thousands of things for which we might foolishly ask." |
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| PLAY | We are Never so High as When We are On Our Knees (The Prayer Motivator Minute #187) | February 22, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 80:18 which reads: "So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "A true prayer is an inventory of needs, a catalog of necessities, an exposure of secret wounds, a revelation of hidden poverty." |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 8 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #246) | February 22, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 21:36 which reads: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Watch therefore, and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin, employ, and conclude each day attending to Christ's word, obeying his precepts, and following his example, that whenever he comes we may be found watching. Our prayer motivator quote today is from G. Campbell Morgan. He said: "Prayer is life passionately wanting, wishing, desiring God's triumph. Prayer is life striving and toiling everywhere and always for that ultimate victory." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 8 of our series titled "THE DEFINITION OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Faith may be based on the known mercy of God without a definite promise. Faith may be based on a plain word of God in the Bible. Faith may be based upon a clear and tested impression given by the Holy Spirit that God wants us to do a certain thing and that He will lead us and bless us. And so faith may be based upon what we know of the nature of God. Knowing God's holiness, we know He will not sin. We know how merciful He is, and, if there are no elements in a situation that demand judgment, the very nature of God may demand mercy. In such a case, knowing what God is like, we may know what He wants to do and will do in certain circumstances. God will always do right, will always act in accordance with His own righteous and merciful nature. Of course we must learn what God is like and what He will do from a heart-knowledge of the Word of God and the blessed teaching of the Holy Spirit. Men do not by wisdom find God. So this faith, based on the general assurance that God's nature obligates Him to act in a certain way, and to answer certain prayers, must still grow out of the Bible and be wrought in us by the Holy Spirit. + Plus, listen to Brian Free and Assurance singing "Praying Man" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Simply the Turning of the Soul to God (The Prayer Motivator Minute #186) | February 21, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 7: 11, which says: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said, "Prayer is going into 'the secret place of the Most High,' and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. Prayer is a making known to God our wants and desires, and holding out the hand of faith to take His gifts. Prayer is the result of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. It is communion with God." |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 7 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #245) | February 21, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:26, which reads: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Though the infirmities of Christians are many and great, so that they would be overpowered if left to themselves, yet the Holy Spirit supports them. The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for; as a sanctifying Spirit, works and stirs up praying graces; as a comforting Spirit, silences our fears, and helps us over all discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all desires toward God, which are often more than words can utter. The Spirit who searches the hearts, can perceive the mind and will of the spirit, the renewed mind, and advocates his cause. The Spirit makes intercession to God, and the enemy prevails not. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Bunyan. He said: "Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word of God, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 7 of our series titled "THE DEFINITION OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Some ultra-dispensationalists say that the great promises of answers to the prayer of faith promises to remove mountains, to work miracles, promises such as Mark 11:24, Matthew 17:20, and Mark 9:23, are not for this age. They say that no matter what faith people have, still God will not do such things now. But they are utterly mistaken. Real faith is from God. Whatever God says, He will do. God never gives faith unless He will answer it. And faith, true faith in God, is always based on what God has agreed to do and what He says He will do. It is either an assurance based on the Word of God, or what we know to be the character and nature of God, as revealed by His Holy Spirit. Faith always presupposes a promise and that God will keep His Word. God is under obligation always to answer the prayer of faith because such real faith in God is always based on an obligation that God has assumed, a promise which He has given. In any dispensation, anywhere, if God gives a definite assurance that He will do a thing, He will do it, to any limit, and absolutely nothing is impossible to the one who is given definite faith about a particular matter. Faith is really depending on God's faithfulness to do what He agrees to do. + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is an Instinct of the Soul but How to Pray Can Only be Learned from the Inspired Scriptures (The Prayer Motivator Minute #185) | February 20, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:2 which reads: "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Austin Phelps. He said, "It has been said that no great work in literature or in science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude. We may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion, that no large growth in holiness was ever gained by one who did not take time to be often long alone with God." |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #244) | February 20, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 1:35 which reads: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Christ departed into a solitary place. Though he was in no danger of distraction, or of temptation to vain-glory, yet he retired. Those who have the most business in public, and of the best kind, must yet sometimes be alone with God. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John MacArthur. He said: "Prayers are the nerves that move the muscles of omnipotence. Prayer is not an exercise in futility because God's will, will be done in any case; prayer is the means by which God's will is carried out." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 6 of our series titled "THE DEFINITION OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Not long ago I received a letter saying, "Brother Rice, will you please pray the prayer of faith with me about this?" and the writer mentioned an object of prayer which I had no evidence was God's will to give. It may have been, it may not have been, God's will. I did not know how it would particularly honor the Lord. There was no Scripture that applied in the case, as far as I knew in my ignorance of the details, and I did not know how truly the person who made the request would honor God if He granted it. And the Holy Spirit did not reveal to me that it was clearly the will of God. Therefore, of course, I could not "pray the prayer of faith" in the matter, as the writer so naively requested. Any time you can find a clear promise in God's Word that He will do such and such a thing, and believe it and risk it and depend upon it, then you have trusted God, and your faith will be rewarded with the thing desired. Or any time you have a clear revelation by the Holy Spirit that your prayer request is in the will of God, will honor Him, and that He will do it, then that is faith in God and will be rewarded. But such leadings must be in accord with the Word of God. According to 1 John 4:1, we must "try the spirits whether they are of God." If you ever hear people say that they have trusted God or that they had faith about a matter and still did not get it, you may assure them that they did not really have faith in God. Faith is always rewarded, without any exception in the world, God is trustworthy. He keeps His promises. He does what He says He will do. He always does what He has given anyone assurance He will do. Faith is the assurance that God will do a thing because He has promised to do it. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | The Faith Exercised in Prayer is Faith in the God Who Sovereignly Accomplishes His Will (The Prayer Motivator Minute #184) | February 17, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:8 which reads: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Bill Thrasher. He said, "A great emphasis in prayer is what God desires to do in us. He desires to get us under His loving authority, dependent on His Spirit, walking in the Light, motivated by His love, and living for His glory. The collective essence of these five truths is an abandonment of one’s life to the Lord and a continual openness, dependence, and responsiveness to His loving control." |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #243) | February 17, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 18:19 which reads: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Calvin. He said: "Believers do not pray with the view of informing God about things unknown to Him, or of exciting Him to do His duty, or of urging Him as though He were reluctant. On the contrary, they pray in order that they may arouse to seek Him, that they may exercise their faith in meditating on His promises, that they may relieve themselves from their anxieties by pouring them into His bosom; in a word, that they may declare that from Him alone they hope and expect, both for themselves and for others, all good things." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "DEFINING FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. After one has trusted Christ for salvation, believing God's Word, he receives an added assurance of salvation as he comes out to confess Christ openly and sets out to live the Christian life. Then he has the sweet witness of the Spirit that He has been born again. The Holy Spirit puts in his heart the cry of a child for his father, "Abba, Father," and he does not have the spirit of bondage to fear. Now this added assurance that He is God's child is based on the testimony of the Holy Spirit in his heart that he has been received of God. So in some sense, then, faith is the assurance that what the Holy Spirit says in the heart is true. Faith is based on the Word of God. It may also be based upon any direct revelation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. The Holy Spirit may also give particular and definite promises in the heart of a Spirit-led person. But still, the faith in each such case is based upon what God has promised. God will do what He says He will. When I believe that, risk that, that is faith in God. Some people have an idea that faith in God is simply an independent method by which one can get whatever he wants, irrespective of the will of God in the case. But faith is not a way of getting things God does not want us to have. Rather, faith is a way of getting things God does want us to have and has planned for us. We never get most of the great things God has for us and would delight to give us. But faith will open the doors to the bounties and riches of Heaven and give joys, blessings, powers, victories and abundance which are in the will of God for us. There is no such thing as having faith in God outside the known will of God. + Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing "What if His People Prayed?" |
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| PLAY | Answers to Prayer Do Not Depend Upon Our Feelings, but Upon the Trustworthiness of the Promiser (The Prayer Motivator Minute #183) | February 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:15 which reads: "And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Robert Murray McCheyne. He said, "Learn that urgency in prayer does not so much consist in vehement pleading, as in vehement believing. He that believes most the love and power of Jesus will obtain the most in prayer." |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #242) | February 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 6:12 which reads: "And it came to pass in those days, that he, Jesus, went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We often think one half hour a great deal to spend in meditation and secret prayer, but Christ was whole nights engaged in these duties. In serving God, our great care should be not to lose time, but to make the end of one good duty the beginning of another. Our prayer motivator quote today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said: "It is only when whatsoever we do is done in His name that He will do whatsoever we ask in His name." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "DEFINING FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. It is only as we come to know the will of God, through the Bible and the Holy Spirit, that we can have faith in particular matters. As an example, in the matter of salvation we have the full assurance of repeated statements in the Bible that God is willing to save every sinner that comes to Him, depending on Christ. John 6:37 states, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." That is so clearly taught in the Bible that every time a lost sinner depends on Christ for salvation, he may know he is instantly saved, then and there. I know that my sins are forgiven. I have full assurance that I am God's child, that He will take me safe to Heaven, that I already have everlasting life. John 3:36 says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." That assurance is so strong it has become practically a certainty. That assurance is based on the infallible Word of God which I have proven true over and over again. God never turns down nor dishonors such faith. Since God says He loves sinners, since Jesus says He died for sins, since God says He is willing to accept the price Jesus has paid for our sins and that all who will come to Him through Christ will be received and not one cast out, it is easy to have faith in God for salvation. No sinner ever really wanted to come but could come. The only way anybody can have difficulty getting saved is when they want to be saved some other way, or when they do not know what God has so plainly promised. Saving faith, then, is simply a confidence that God will do what He plainly said He would do. So faith in that case is based upon the Word of God. + Plus, listen to Andre Crouch singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #241) | February 15, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator quote today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said: "But have we Holy Ghost power – power that restricts the devil's power, pulls down strongholds and obtains promises? Daring delinquents will be damned if they are not delivered from the devil's dominion. What has hell to fear other than a God-anointed, prayer-powered church?"
Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "DEFINING FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. What we call faith may be sometimes a self-deception. A Christian Scientist practitioner may teach a sick man to say over and over, "There is no such thing as evil. Sickness is only an error of mortal mind. I am well, completely well. I have no pain." And the Christian Scientist may induce a state of mind whereby he thinks he is not sick. He ignores the pain and the evidence of his senses and actually thinks he is well. And if his disease is one in which the mental attitude may be decisive, perhaps he will get well. A large percent of our suffering is really mental. Worrying and fretting are great enemies of our health. A confident, happy mind has much to do with recovery from sickness in some cases. But if his sickness is not mental and cannot be affected by the attitude of mind, then the Christian Scientist may die, as Christian Scientists and everybody else do. He has assurance, but an assurance based on self-deception. It is not faith in God. In such a case, if God does not through other agents and means see fit to heal him, He would not heal the man because of that self-induced confidence. The Christian Scientist may have assurance, but it is not based upon any promise of God, and God is under no obligation to give what is expected. I do not say that Christian Scientists never really pray to God nor that they never get their prayers answered. Doubtless they sometimes do, despite their false doctrines. But I say their normal teaching that there is no sin, no sickness, that sin is only an error of mortal mind, is not faith in God. It is a self-induced attitude of assurance and confidence which is not based upon God's Word nor upon His faithfulness, and is not faith in God. Instead of faith-healing, Christian Science healing, Unity healing, etc., should be called mental healing. There is such a thing as mental healing, but let us not confuse it with the matter of faith in God. + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | The Prince of the Power of the Air seems to Bend All the Force of his Attack Against the Spirit of Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #182) | February 15, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 102:2 which reads: "Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Thomas Brooks. He said, "A family without prayer is like a house without a roof, open and exposed to all the storms of heaven." |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #240) | February 14, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jonah 2:1 and 7 which reads: "Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly...When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Observe when Jonah prayed. When he was in trouble, under the tokens of God's displeasure against him for sin: when we are in affliction we must pray. Being kept alive by miracle, he prayed. A sense of God's good-will to us, notwithstanding our offences, opens the lips in prayer, which were closed with the dread of wrath. Also, where he prayed; in the belly of the fish. No place is amiss for prayer. Men may shut us from communion with one another, but not from communion with God. To whom he prayed; to the Lord his God. This encourages even backsliders to return. What his prayer was. This seems to relate his experience and reflections, then and afterwards, rather than to be the form or substance of his prayer. Jonah reflects on the earnestness of his prayer, and God's readiness to hear and answer. If we would get good by our troubles, we must notice the hand of God in them. He had wickedly fled from the presence of the Lord, who might justly take his Holy Spirit from him, never to visit him more. Those only are miserable, whom God will no longer own and favour. But though he was perplexed, yet not in despair. Jonah reflects on the favour of God to him, when he sought to God, and trusted in him in his distress. He warns others, and tells them to keep close to God. Those who forsake their own duty, forsake their own mercy; those who run away from the work of their place and day, run away from the comfort of it. As far as a believer copies those who observe lying vanities, he forsakes his own mercy, and lives below his privileges. But Jonah's experience encourages others, in all ages, to trust in God, as the God of salvation. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Jim Cymbala. He said: "The devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift up our hearts to God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "DEFINING FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. It is important to see that not every confidence, not every assurance, is faith in God. A woman wrote me in greatest disappointment. She had asked God for a baby girl, but instead He gave her a boy. We know that God had not promised her the baby girl. He had not promised it by the Bible and He had not promised it by His Holy Spirit in her heart, or He would have given it, for God always keeps His promises. There was nothing in the nature of God that made it wrong for Him to send a baby boy. Hence we know that that woman's confidence was not real faith in God. She may have had confidence in her prayers. Possibly she had prayed and prayed until she felt, "Well, surely now that I have begged God so much, He will have to send me a girl. I am going to believe it and expect it." She may have analyzed circumstances and decided that since it would be so much better (she thought) for her and for her husband, who also wanted a baby girl, and for the little boys, who wanted a sister, that therefore God, knowing how necessary it was, would give a baby girl. But in that case God knew better what she needed than she did, and her decision was not based on the leading of the Holy Spirit nor on the Bible but on her own understanding of circumstances. So she got a baby boy instead of a girl. No doubt in the long run she will find that God's way was the best for everybody concerned. And surely, if she draws nearer to the Lord, she will see how foolish it was to grieve over the good gift that God gave. The confidence she had was not fait |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Master Strategy that God Gives for the Defeat and Rout of Satan (The Prayer Motivator Minute #181) | February 14, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 4:1 which reads: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "The enemy uses all his power to lead the Christian, and above all the minister, to neglect prayer. He knows that however admirable the sermon may be, however attractive the service, however faithful the pastoral visitation, none of these things can damage him or his kingdom if prayer is neglected." |
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| PLAY | The Definition of Faith, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #239) | February 13, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 21:12-13 which reads: "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Christ found some of the courts of the temple turned into a market for cattle and things used in the sacrifices, and partly occupied by the money-changers. Our Lord drove them from the place, as he had done at his entering upon his ministry. His works testified of him more than the hosannas; and his healing in the temple was the fulfilling the promise, that the glory of the latter house should be greater than the glory of the former. If Christ came now into many parts of his visible church, how many secret evils he would discover and cleanse! And how many things daily practised under the cloak of religion, would he show to be more suitable to a den of thieves than to a house of prayer! Our prayer motivator quote today is from William Gurnall. He said: "You now have, Christian, the armour of God; but take heed thou forgettest not to engage the God of this armour by humble prayer for your assistance, lest for all this you be worsted in the fight." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "DEFINING FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. A Bible definition of faith is given in Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The American Revised Version changes it only slightly: "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith, then, is a certain conviction, an assurance, an evidence that we will get the thing we hope for and ask for. By faith one sees the thing that is invisible. By faith one holds what is intangible. One who has faith has the substance of the thing hoped for and has the evidence of that which is not yet seen by human eye. Oh, the blessed confidence and assurance of faith! The faith mentioned in the Bible is nearly always faith in God. But the definition I just gave is a general definition. In the case of sickness, one may have confidence and assurance based upon a good doctor. That is faith, but it is not necessarily faith in God. A depositor may have confidence and assurance that his money will be perfectly safe in the bank. That is faith, but it is faith in the bank and not necessarily faith in God. A child has sweet confidence that food will be forthcoming when he is hungry, that a home will be maintained, that his needs will be supplied. That is faith, but it is faith in his parents and not necessarily faith in God. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | The Primary Way to Overcome Satan is On Our Knees (The Prayer Motivator Minute #180) | February 13, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 4:7 which says: "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey. He said, "When the devil sees a man or woman who really believes in prayer, who knows how to pray, and who really does pray, and, above all, when he sees a whole church on its face before God in prayer, he trembles as much as he ever did, for he knows that his day in that church or community is at an end." |
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| PLAY | Communion With God Makes Bitter Things Sweet; and Massive Things Light (The Prayer Motivator Minute #179) | February 10, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:41which says: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from T.J. Bach. He said, "Many of us cannot reach the mission fields on our feet, but we can reach them on our knees." |
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| PLAY | When You Pray, Have Faith in God, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #238) | February 10, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 11:24 which reads: "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Christ taught them [His disciples] from hence to pray in faith. It may be applied to that mighty faith with which all true Christians are endued, and which does wonders in spiritual things. It justifies us, and so removes mountains of guilt, never to rise up in judgment against us. It purifies the heart, and so removes mountains of corruption, and makes them plain before the grace of God. One great errand to the throne of grace is to pray for the pardon of our sins; and care about this ought to be our daily concern. Our prayer motivator quote today is from William Bridge. He said: "A praying man can never be very miserable, whatever his condition be, for he has the ear of God; the Spirit within to indite, a Friend in heaven to present, and God Himself to receive his desires as a Father." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the 6th and final part of our series titled "WHEN YOU PRAY, HAVE FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Faith can get anything in the universe, with nothing impossible. How marvelous is faith! Jesus says in Matthew 17:20, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Literally, "nothing shall be impossible to you." And again Jesus said in Mark 9:23, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." And then in Mark 11:24 he said, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." We are plainly and unconditionally promised in James 5:15 that "the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." So it is clear that if you will believe God, you can have anything you ask. With faith, nothing in earth or Heaven is impossible, and nothing unattainable. Of course, this means that one must have faith about each particular thing to get it. Faith about salvation will not get a job. Faith about a job will not get healing for the body. Faith about one prayer will not get another one answered. One must be so in harmony with God that one can base each of his requests on a blessed promise or on the known will of God to get each prayer answered. Naturally faith is not a device by which any poor wicked man can have his own will, irrespective of God's will. Nothing about prayer is ever intended for that or ever attains to that. Faith is a grace, or a gift, by which, in a particular matter, one can ask for things in the will of God, and having a divinely based confidence he may receive whatever he asks. It is of surpassing importance, then, for every Christian to learn what faith is, to learn how to have faith, and how to suppress and forsake his unbelief for a whole life of victorious faith. + Plus, listen to Stephen Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | Whatever is Your Best Time in the Day, Give That to Communion With God (The Prayer Motivator Minute #178) | February 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 141:1-2 which says: "Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Daniel Fuller. He said, "We ought to rejoice that in God’s great wisdom and love He does in fact answer all of our requests, though to be sure, He says no to some things because our having them would hurt us in the long run. We also ought to rejoice that in His wisdom He gives us what we ask at the best time, rather than at an earlier time when our very limited judgment thinks it would be best. And finally, we ought to rejoice that God’s love and wisdom gives us what often turns out to be far better than the precise thing for which we had asked." |
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| PLAY | When You Pray, Have Faith in God, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #237) | February 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 11:1 which reads: "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: "Lord, teach us to pray," is a good prayer, and a very needful one, for Jesus Christ only can teach us, by his word and Spirit, how to pray. Lord, teach me what it is to pray; Lord, stir up and quicken me to the duty; Lord, direct me what to pray for; teach me what I should say. Christ taught them a prayer, much the same that he had given before in his sermon upon the mount. There are some differences in the words of the Lord's prayer in Matthew and in Luke, but they are of no moment. Let us in our requests, both for others and for ourselves, come to our heavenly Father, confiding in his power and goodness. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Newton. He said: "Indeed, a person who lives in the exercise of faith and love, and who finds by experience that it is good for him to draw near to God, will not need to be told how often he must pray, any more than how often he must converse with an earthly friend. Those whom we love, we love to be much with. Love is the best casuist, and either resolves or prevents a thousand scruples and questions, which may perplex those who only serve God from principles of constraint and fear. A believer will account those his happiest days, when he has most leisure and most liberty of spirit for the exercise of prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "WHEN YOU PRAY, HAVE FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. For Christians, too, the Scriptures say that unbelief is a sin. Romans 14:23 plainly says, "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Any element of a Christian's life that does not involve a constant dependence upon God, a belief in His Word and His promises, a reliance on His faithfulness, is wicked. Hebrews 12:1 commands Christians to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us." What is that besetting sin? It is the sin of unbelief! Throughout the preceding broadcasts God has held up for our admonition and example the heroes of the faith. We are commanded to be like them and to lay aside the besetting sin, that which is ever ready to trip us, our unbelief. Unbelief is sin. Jesus often rebuked unbelief in His disciples. In Mark 4:40 He said to them, "How is it that ye have no faith?" Again in Luke 8:25 He said unto them, "Where is your faith?" In Mark 16:14 we are told that Jesus "upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart." There is a plaintive sadness in the words of Jesus in Luke 18:8, "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Since unbelief is such a wicked sin, how earnestly we should seek to uncover every tendency to it and to confess it penitently. And how eagerly we should seek to please God by exercising faith. + Plus, listen to the Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | When You Pray, Have Faith in God, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #236) | February 8, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 65:2 which reads: "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: All the praise the Lord receives from this earth is from Zion, being the fruit of the Spirit of Christ, and acceptable through him. Praise is silent unto thee, as wanting words to express the great goodness of God. He reveals himself upon a mercy-seat, ready to hear and answer the prayers of all who come unto him by faith in Jesus Christ...By faith and prayer we may keep up communion with God, and bring in comfort from him, wherever we are. But it is only through that blessed One, who approaches the Father as our Advocate and Surety, that sinners may expect or can find this happiness. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Martin Luther. He said: "Look to it that you do not try to do all of it, do not try to do too much, lest your spirit grow weary. Besides a good prayer mustn’t be too long. Do not draw it out. Prayer ought to be frequent and fervent." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "WHEN YOU PRAY, HAVE FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Hebrews 3:12 warns Jews plainly that they should beware "lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Unbelief is the sin of a wicked heart, departing from God intentionally, turning away from light. John 12:37-40 explains that despite the miracles of Christ, many Jews would not believe in Him, and tells us why. Quoting Isaiah, the Gospel tells us that God had blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see and understand and be converted. Because of long, deliberate rejection of the light, God hardens the hearts of people so they cannot believe. Unbelief, then, grows out of other sins. Likewise, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 tells us of the man of sin who will come with lying wonders to deceive certain people, "because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Thus it is certainly clear that God becomes grieved by men's preference for sin and their pleasure in unrighteousness, and so sends strong delusions on Christ-rejecting sinners who continue in sin until finally they cannot believe. Lack of faith is a sin which proceeds from a deliberately wicked heart that chooses sin and refuses to seek the light and test God's promises and goodness. + Plus, listen to Natalie Grant singing "Waiting for a Prayer" |
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| PLAY | The Amount of Time We Give to Prayer Indicates how Important Prayer is to Us (The Prayer Motivator Minute #177) | February 8, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 17:1 which says: "Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Plumer. He said, "For more than thirty-five years I have had much intercourse with dying saints and sinners of various ages and conditions. In all that time I have not heard one express regret that he had spent too much time in prayer; I have heard many mourn that they had so seldom visited the throne of grace." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Measured, Not by Time, but by Intensity (The Prayer Motivator Minute #176) | February 7, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 5:3 which says: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Walter J. Chantry. He said, "Self must be denied as to time and attention for prayer. All-prayer cannot be wielded without the expenditure of time. “A minute with God” seldom lays hold of Him. Sustained prayer is necessary. Such time may only be found by snatching it from personal pursuits, however legitimate they may be." |
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| PLAY | When You Pray, Have Faith in God, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #235) | February 7, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 145:18 which reads: "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Many children of God, who have been ready to fall into sin, to fall into despair, have tasted his goodness in preventing their falls, or recovering them speedily by his graces and comforts. And with respect to all that are heavy laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them. He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people. He is present every where; but in a special way he is nigh to them, as he is not to others. He is in their hearts, and dwells there by faith, and they dwell in him. He is nigh to those that call upon him, to help them in all times of need. He will be nigh to them, that they may have what they ask, and find what they seek, if they call upon him in truth and sincerity. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Sinclair B. Ferguson. He said: "You do not become a master musician by playing just as you please, by imagining that learning the scales is sheer legalism and bondage! No, true freedom in any area of life is the consequence of regular discipline. It is no less true of the life of prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "WHEN YOU PRAY, HAVE FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Unbelief is a sin. Many people believe that faith is more or less an accident, and that one cannot be blamed if he does not have faith in God. Quite generally it is supposed that some people have great faith because God picked them out to give them great faith, that others do not have much faith but cannot help themselves. On the contrary; for the Bible plainly teaches that unbelief is a sin since every Christian can and should have faith for all that God offers. The wickedness of unbelief is clearly implied in Scripture. If "without faith it is impossible to please God," then unbelief is displeasing to God and is sin. If Jesus commanded, "Have faith in God," then one who does not have faith in God is disobedient and rebellious. All the Scriptures imply that a Christian can have faith in God whenever he needs faith, and that not to do so is sin. There are many direct Scriptures which teach the moral guilt of unbelief. In the case of a Christ-rejecting sinner, Jesus said to some in John 5:40, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." It is clear that unbelief is a wicked decision of the will. People who are lost do not trust Christ because they do not want to. In John 3:19-21, Jesus said, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." Unbelief in Christ as one's own personal Saviour involves a moral guilt, a moral choosing of sin and rejection of Christ and righteousness. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Say a Prayer" |
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| PLAY | God Has Ordained the End; Prayer is the Means (The Prayer Motivator Minute #175) | February 6, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 4:1 which says: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.W. Pink. He said, "Prayer is not appointed for the furnishing of God with the knowledge of what we need, but it is designed as a confession to Him of our sense of the need. In this, as in everything, God's thoughts are not as ours. God requires that His gifts should be sought for. He designs to be honoured by our asking, just as He is to be thanked by us after He has bestowed His blessing." |
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| PLAY | When You Pray, Have Faith in God, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #234) | February 6, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Acts 1:12-14 which reads: "Then returned they [the disciples] unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: God can find hiding-places for his people. They made supplication. All God's people are praying people. It was now a time of trouble and danger with the disciples of Christ; but if any is afflicted, let him pray; that will silence cares and fears. They had now a great work to do, and before they entered upon it, they were earnest in prayer to God for his presence. They were waiting for the descent of the Spirit, and abounded in prayer. Those are in the best frame to receive spiritual blessings, who are in a praying frame. Christ had promised shortly to send the Holy Ghost; that promise was not to do away prayer, but to quicken and encourage it. A little company united in love, exemplary in their conduct, fervent in prayer, and wisely zealous to promote the cause of Christ, are likely to increase rapidly. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said: "Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer can do." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "WHEN YOU PRAY, HAVE FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Faith is plainly commanded as a duty. On a morning walk to Jerusalem from the little town of Bethany where He had spent the night, Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered away. They returned in the night and the next morning the disciples saw the fig tree withered away and were astonished. Jesus turned to them and commanded them, "Have faith in God."! And then He told them that even mountains could be removed and cast into the sea by faith, that they could have what things soever they desired if they believed. "Have faith in God" is a plain command. Christians are commanded to have, and can have, faith. Jesus said to Thomas in John 20:27, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." Oh, to every Christian the Lord Jesus cries out, "Investigate for yourselves the proof of God's promises. Give God a chance to prove Himself. Be not faithless but believing." + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | When You Pray, Have Faith in God, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #233) | February 3, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which reads: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: God says, "There will I make myself known, and there will I be called upon.’’ He promised to answer the prayers of his people that should at any time be made in that place. National judgments are here supposed, famine, and pestilence, and perhaps war, for by the locusts devouring the land meant enemies as greedy as locusts, and laying all waste. National repentance, prayer, and reformation, are required. God expects that his people who are called by his name, if they have dishonoured his name by their iniquity, should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must be humble themselves under his hand, must pray for the removal of the judgment, must seek the face and favour of God; and yet all this will not do unless they turn from their wicked ways, and return to the God from whom they have revolted. National mercy is then promised, that God will forgive their sin, which brought the judgment upon them, and then heal their land, redress all their grievances. Pardoning mercy makes ways for healing mercy. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.S. Lewis. He said: "Even if all the things that people prayed for happened – which they do not – this would not prove what Christians mean by the efficacy of prayer. For prayer is request. The essence of request, as distinct from compulsion, is that it may or may not be granted. And if an infinitely wise Being listens to the requests of finite and foolish creatures, of course He will sometimes grant and sometimes refuse them. Invariable "success" in prayer would not prove the Christian doctrine at all. It would prove something more like magic – a power in certain human beings to control, or compel, the course of nature." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "WHEN YOU PRAY, HAVE FAITH IN GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Mark 11:22 says, "Have faith in God." Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith it is impossible to please him." Romans 14:23 says, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Matthew 17:20 says, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." In these next few broadcasts, I want to lay on your heart the enormous importance of faith. You will see that faith is the very first requirement for coming to God, and no one can please God without it; that we are commanded to have faith in God; that unbelief is therefore a wicked sin, rebuked by the Saviour, which all should confess and forsake with penitent hearts; that everything God has is promised in answer to the prayer of faith. Then second, we will see what faith is and what it is not. And third, we will show how everyone can grow an abounding, masterful, conquering faith. THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF FAITH. You cannot please God without faith! Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." You cannot come to God unless you believe that there is a God and unless you believe He really hears prayer. And the Scripture plainly says, "Without faith it is impossible to please him." Faith, then, is the very first requirement for anyone who would do anything pleasing to God. Without faith you cannot be saved. Without faith you cannot pray acceptably. Witho |
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| PLAY | Since God is With You All of the Time, Anytime Can be Prayer Time (The Prayer Motivator Minute #174) | February 3, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 34:6 which says: "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J.C. Ryle. He said, "Jesus hears us, and in His own good time will give an answer... He may sometimes keep us long waiting...but He will never send us empty away." |
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| PLAY | Answers to Prayer do Not Depend Upon Our Feelings, but Upon the Trustworthiness of the Promiser (The Prayer Motivator Minute #173) | February 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 5:2 which says: "Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Alexander MacLaren. He said, "Did any of you, parents, ever hear your child wake from sleep with some panic fear and shriek the mother’s name through the darkness? Was not that a more powerful appeal than all words? And, depend upon it, that the soul which cries aloud on God, “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” though it have “no language but a cry,” will never call in vain." |
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| PLAY | How to Be Definite in Prayer, Part 7 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #232) | February 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 62:8 which reads: "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Those who have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves, will invite others into those ways; we shall never have the less for others sharing with us. the good counsel given is, to trust wholly in God. We must so trust in him at all times, as not at any time to put that trust in ourselves, or in any creature, which is to be put in him only. Trust in him to guide us when in doubt, to protect us when in danger, to supply us when in want, to strengthen us for every good word and work. We must lay out wants and our wishes before him, and then patiently submit our wills to his: this is pouring out our hearts. God is a refuge for all, even for as many as will take shelter in him. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Jonathan Edwards. He said: "There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom of Christ as by prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the 7th and final part of our series titled "HOW TO BE DEFINITE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Let me tell you about a campaign for trial subscriptions to The Sword of the Lord. We asked God for 5000 trial subscriptions. We posted that number on the office wall, and every day in the office prayer meeting at 10:00 the workers prayed for 5000 trial subscriptions in that brief campaign. I announced in The Sword of the Lord that we hoped for that number. We set a definite time for the campaign to close. My secretary felt led to give trial subscriptions to 30 friends. When what we thought was the final mail came, we found her 30 made exactly 5000 trial subscriptions! But one of the workers thought she had helped God too much, and they prayed again. The next day mail from stragglers came in, to make 5030 subscriptions, that is, exactly 5000 without the 30 subscriptions she had given! Not one less, and not one more than exactly the 5000 we had agreed upon openly and had prayed for definitely! Later other subscriptions came in, but it seemed that God was patiently showing us, just as He showed Gideon, that it was His delight to answer definite prayer. For Gideon, He first made the fleece wet and all about it dry. And then when Gideon prayed again, He made the fleece dry and all about it wet. And for us God gave exactly 5000 subscriptions including the secretary's special gift of 30. Then when that was questioned, God made it exactly 5000 without the 30 specials. And then later, when every doubt was settled and all of us knew that God had exactly and definitely answered prayer to the letter, He sent other subscriptions, as if to say He had more yet if we would but ask! Beloved, let us be definite in our praying and give God a chance to show His mighty power and willingness to answer. Ask God definite things; expect definite answers. + Plus, listen to Andre Crouch singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | God Delights to Answer Prayer; and He has Given Us His Word that He Will Answer. (The Prayer Motivator Minute #172) | February 1, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:3 which says: "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from W. Graham Scroggie. He said, "When a man’s mouth is thus opened, God’s ears are never closed. When the penitent is talking the Savior is listening." |
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| PLAY | How to Be Definite in Prayer, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #231) | February 1, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:16 which reads: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: In a day of affliction nothing is more seasonable than prayer. The spirit is then most humble, and the heart is broken and tender. It is necessary to exercise faith and hope under afflictions; and prayer is the appointed means for obtaining and increasing these graces. Observe, that the saving of the sick is not ascribed to the anointing with oil, but to prayer. In a time of sickness it is not cold and formal prayer that is effectual, but the prayer of faith. The great thing we should beg of God for ourselves and others in the time of sickness is, the pardon of sin. Let nothing be done to encourage any to delay, under the mistaken fancy that a confession, a prayer, a minister's absolution and exhortation, or the sacrament, will set all right at last, where the duties of a godly life have been disregarded. Our prayer motivator quote today is from George Muller. He said: "Suppose that we believers in the Lord Jesus make our requests to God. Suppose also that, as far as we can honestly judge, the obtaining of our requests would be for our spiritual good and for the honor of God. We must then continue in prayer until the blessing is given to us. Furthermore, we have to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained and in not expecting the blessing. As assuredly as any individual uses these points, so assuredly will his requests be granted." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 6 of our series titled "HOW TO BE DEFINITE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Ofttimes, it is well to put your request in words to other people. Perhaps two of you can agree as touching a certain matter. If possible, agree on exact dates, or numbers, or amounts. For example, I was in revival services at the Berean Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. As the pastor and I prayed before the service Sunday morning I felt impressed to ask God for 25 souls to come put publicly to claim Christ that day, so I prayed for that number definitely. At the morning service I think there were only 2. In the afternoon service I told how God had answered many of my prayers, and there were one or two others who claimed the Saviour. When the pastor and I met together before the evening service, I reminded him of my prayer, and felt ashamed that all the wonderful answers to prayer I had mentioned had been given years before. So definitely and earnestly I reminded God that I had been telling how He answered prayer and now I wanted Him to answer a definite prayer that day --- to see that we got the rest of the 25 souls we had asked for in that service. The Lord wonderfully blessed in the service that night. An old man, 74 years old, who had come in 20 miles was saved. Many others were saved, coming with tears. A mother who had been a backslider for 35 years, came back to Christ, and with her came her adult daughter to accept the Saviour for the first time. When the service was over, the pastor showed me the names of 25 people who had come out during the day, openly claiming Christ as Saviour or backsliders who came again to take up their cross and live for God. He remembered two others who had been saved whose names he did not have, but he had the names of 25! I know it helped me when I told the pastor that I expected 25 to answer the invitation that day. You can be definite, when the Holy Spirit lays it on our heart, by setting goals or agreeing with others. + Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing "What if His People Prayed" |
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| PLAY | In the Spiritual Battle, Get On Your Knees and Fight (The Prayer Motivator Minute #171) | January 31, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Hebrews 4:6 which says: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Richard J. Foster. He said, "Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us." |
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| PLAY | How to Be Definite in Prayer, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #230) | January 31, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 1:6-7 which reads: "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs? Here is something in answer to every discouraging turn of the mind, when we go to God under a sense of our own weakness and folly. If, after all, any should say, This may be the case with some, but I fear I shall not succeed, the promise is, To any that asketh, it shall be given. A mind that has single and prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Mari-Anna Frangén Stålnacke. She said: "If you feel your life is too full, too chaotic, too messy to find time to pray. Think again. You can not get anything meaningful done before praying. Actually you can simplify your life with prayer. When we leave our burdens to God we can get on with our life. Prayer will intensify our joy of living." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "HOW TO BE DEFINITE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Another way to be definite in prayer is to go on the record. I often feel a need when I pray to take pencil and paper and write out certain definite requests and number them 1, 2, 3, etc. Often I make confessions of sin the same way. As honestly and as fairly as I can, I wait before God until He lays on my heart things that grieve Him, certain matters in which I have failed or sinned, then I write them out plainly on a piece of paper. I keep that before me for a few days until I feel I have gotten the victory, and God knows and I know that I have honestly judged those sins and tried to put them away and have confessed them to God. (But you may be sure I do not leave that list of unconfessed sins around where anybody else can see it!) So I often write down definite requests. For example, in a little prayer notebook I occasionally jot down on the left-hand page a prayer request and the date and the names of any who agree with me in that earnest request. On the right-hand page I leave a blank space for the day when the prayer is answered. And there I mark down the answer and the date and praise the Lord. Often when you will start out to pray for things, you soon find that it is not the will of God. If the Holy Spirit does not help you pray, then consider that perhaps you are not praying according to God's will. So change your prayer as the Spirit leads. Do not keep an old prayer list and try to follow it when you have no assurance that God is pleased with the prayers. + Plus, listen to Jessy Dixon singing "I Know What A Prayer Can Do" |
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| PLAY | The Devil's Greatest Tool is to Keep the Believer from Praying. (The Prayer Motivator Minute #170) | January 29, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 27:7 which says: "Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Greg Laurie. He said, "God’s delays are not necessarily His denials. Just because an answer to your prayer hasn’t come as quickly as you would like does not mean that it never will come at all. So keep praying." |
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| PLAY | How to Be Definite in Prayer, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #229) | January 29, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Prayer is the appointed means for obtaining what we need. Pray; pray often; make a business of prayer, and be serious and earnest in it. Ask, as a beggar asks alms. Ask, as a traveller asks the way. Seek, as for a thing of value that we have lost; or as the merchantman that seeks goodly pearls. Knock, as he that desires to enter into the house knocks at the door. Sin has shut and barred the door against us; by prayer we knock. Whatever you pray for, according to the promise, shall be given you, if God see it fit for you, and what would you have more? This is made to apply to all that pray aright; every one that asketh receiveth, whether Jew or Gentile, young or old, rich or poor, high or low, master or servant, learned or unlearned, all are alike welcome to the throne of grace, if they come in faith. It is explained by a comparison taken from earthly parents, and their readiness to give their children what they ask. Parents are often foolishly fond, but God is all-wise; he knows what we need, what we desire, and what is fit for us. Let us never suppose our heavenly Father would bid us pray, and then refuse to hear, or give us what would be hurtful. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Alexander Whyte. He said: "If you find your life of prayer to be always so short, and so easy, and so spiritual, as to be without cost and strain and sweat to you, you may depend upon it, you have not yet begun to pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "HOW TO BE DEFINITE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Years ago I went for a series of revival services to the First Baptist Church of Peacock, a little town in West Texas. That midwest Texas town was in the clutches of a terrible drought. It had not rained for months, so crops were utterly ruined. Even normally it was too dry to raise corn, but in that particular year even drought-resistant crops, as milo maize and cane, were blighted and their tops were all sear, brown and dead. Water holes were dried up. The pastures were in some places almost as barren as a floor. Frequently as one drove down the lane, he could smell dead cattle that had starved to death. Some farms were deserted, and people had traveled far to get work and earn a little income to live on. As we went into the revival services, my heart got more and more burdened about the barren country. I felt that God wanted to show His power. So I promised God that as soon as the Christian people began to be aroused and concerned over their sins and over their lost loved ones, I would call a meeting of confession and prayer, begging God to send a rain as well as a revival. God's Holy Spirit took hold of the people; and they began to have broken hearts, to seek God and to want souls saved. I took courage and called a meeting for prayer, telling the people I felt definitely led to pray for a rain. I felt that the Holy Spirit had put the matter in my heart. Many agreed to pray with me. We publicly asked God to send a great rain and to send it within 24 hours. I announced to the public that we would expect a rain in 24 hours and that if it came after that time it would not be the one we were asking for and that we would not count our prayers answered. There was no evidence of any kind in the heavens that we should expect a rain. The next day the sun beat down pitilessly on the barren land. At the morning service that weekday, we again prayed for rain, begging God to send it by the night service so that all could know he answered definite prayers. I announced that if the rain did not come within 24 hours, it would not be an |
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| PLAY | There is No Excuse for Not Praying; Jesus Had a Packed Ministry Schedule but He Made Time to Pray (The Prayer Motivator Minute #169) | January 27, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 6:12 which says: "And it came to pass in those days, that he [Jesus] went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.W. Tozer. He said, "Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late - and how little revival has resulted? I believe the problem is that we have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and it simply will not work. To pray for revival while ignoring the plain precept laid down in Scripture is to waste a lot of words and get nothing for our trouble. Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience." |
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| PLAY | How to Be Definite in Prayer, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #228) | January 27, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 18:1 which reads: "And he [Jesus] spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: All God's people are praying people. Here earnest steadiness in prayer for spiritual mercies is taught. The widow's earnestness prevailed even with the unjust judge: she might fear lest it should set him more against her; but our earnest prayer is pleasing to our God. Even to the end there will still be ground for the same complaint of weakness of faith. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said: "Shall I give you yet another reason why you should pray? I have preached my very heart out. I could not say any more than I have said. Will not your prayers accomplish that which my preaching fails to do? Is it not likely that the Church has been putting forth its preaching hand but not its praying hand? Oh dear friends! Let us agonize in prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "HOW TO BE DEFINITE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. It often takes some waiting on God before one is able to have in mind clearly what he ought to pray for. Let the Holy Spirit talk to you. Ask God to show you the things that are wrong in your life, to help you to judge and turn away from any sin that grieves God. Then ask the Holy Spirit to lead you clearly into desiring the things that are right, and let Him lead you in praying. Any time you can pray a prayer that you know is put in your heart by the Holy Spirit, then you can be bold in demanding an answer; and you will know you are asking according to the will of God and that you will receive your request. Definite praying does not mean that you try to make God come to your viewpoint. Rather, it means finding just what the Lord wants to give you, what He wants you to ask for, and then praying the prayer that the Holy Spirit lays on your heart. + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Asking God for the Things We Need and Desire Through Prayer is the Rule of the Kingdom (The Prayer Motivator Minute #168) | January 26, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 21:22 which says: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Booth. He said, "You must pray with all your might. That does not mean saying your prayers, or sitting gazing about in church or chapel with eyes wide open while someone else says them for you. It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God...This kind of prayer be sure the devil and the world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They will pour water on this flame." |
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| PLAY | How to Be Definite in Prayer, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #227) | January 26, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jeremiah 29:13 which reads: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: We often do not know our own minds, but the Lord is never at an uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God's designs are all against us; but as to his own people, even that which seems evil, is for good. He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, or the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith; the end he has promised, which will be the best for them. When the Lord pours out an especial spirit of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in mercy. Promises are given to quicken and encourage prayer. He never said, Seek ye me in vain. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.T. Studd. He said: "We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism. To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist! Pray!" Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "HOW TO BE DEFINITE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. The second way to be definite in prayer is to set out to search the Scriptures and find in them the will of God. If you are praying for somebody to be saved, then prayerfully, earnestly search the Scriptures to find out the will of God, and how He feels toward the salvation of sinners. Meditate, for instance, on Luke chapter 15, the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost prodigal son, and come to see the passion of Christ for sinners. If your heart really becomes affected with the concern Christ has for sinners, then you can pray more definitely for their conversion. At Kingsman, Kansas, I spoke one afternoon in a Bible conference on prayer, and urged people to be definite, to mean business when they prayed. I showed by many Scriptures why we may be bold in praying for the conversion of sinners. When the service was over a nurse came to me, a young woman who had been a Christian for about a year. Her face was shining with a light from Heaven. She said, "So that is the way to pray, is it?" I answered, "Yes, that is the way to pray!" "Well, then, tonight I am going to have my two brothers saved! I have been praying for them now for a year, but I have been praying, 'Lord, save my brothers before it is too late'. Now I am going home to ask God to save them tonight!" Off she marched. I was troubled. I thought, Is she risking my word, or is she really trusting God? But she went home and spent time in prayer, and she got sweet assurance in her heart that God was going to save her twin brothers. That night an uncle came in 14 miles and was wonderfully converted. Then the nurse's mother, seeing her own brother wonderfully saved, came to the front weeping and confessed she had been a backslider, and had not been concerned about her own children as she ought to be. Then I saw comng down out of the balcony two fine young men, 17-year-old twins. The pastor was with them. They came openly to claim Christ. It may be that God had to get the uncle to wake up the mother, and that He needed to arouse the mother before He could reach the boys; but God did not deny the earnest, fervent prayer, the definite request, of that young nurse who asked God to save her brothers that very night, depending on the Word of God and its clear promises. I say that a study of the Word of God will help us to be definite in our prayers. As we meditate on God's Word we will see how much He longs to give us and how freely He has offered to answer our prayers. We can find what things are in His will and so be more | ||
| PLAY | How to Be Definite in Prayer, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #226) | January 25, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 22:45-46 which reads: "And when he [Jesus] rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Every description which the evangelists give of the state of mind in which our Lord entered upon this conflict, proves the tremendous nature of the assault, and the perfect foreknowledge of its terrors possessed by the meek and lowly Jesus. Here are three things not in the other evangelists. 1. When Christ was in his agony, there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. It was a part of his humiliation that he was thus strengthened by a ministering spirit. 2. Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. Prayer, though never out of season, is in a special manner seasonable when we are in an agony. 3. In this agony his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down. This showed the travail of his soul. We should pray also to be enabled to resist unto the shedding of our blood, striving against sin, if ever called to it. When next you dwell in imagination upon the delights of some favourite sin, think of its effects as you behold them here! See its fearful effects in the garden of Gethsemane, and desire, by the help of God, deeply to hate and to forsake that enemy, to ransom sinners from whom the Redeemer prayed, agonized, and bled. Our prayer motivator quote today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said: "The power of prayer can never be overrated. They who cannot serve God by preaching need not regret. If a man can but pray he can do anything. He who knows how to overcome with God in prayer has Heaven and earth at his disposal." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "HOW TO BE DEFINITE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. If you want to become definite, businesslike, efficient in prayer, God will help you. I will discuss four ways to do that over the next several broadcasts. The first way to be more definite in prayer is to set out to weed out any objects of prayer about which you are not definite. If you have a long list of things for which you pray in a half-hearted way, without any real conviction, and about which you cannot ask God for some definite answer with boldness, then confess to God that your praying is half-hearted, formal and, to some degree, insincere. Quit praying for things to be heard of men, or because you think it is your duty in a general sense, or because people expect you to pray for these things. Set out to pray for things about which you have a genuine desire, and about which you ought to expect some definite answer. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Everything You Will Ever Need to Accomplish the Great Things in Life (The Prayer Motivator Minute #167) | January 25, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 86:7 which says: "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Calvin. He said, "Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them." |
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| PLAY | When You Pray, Realize You Have More Things to Thank God for Than to Ask For (The Prayer Motivator Minute #166) | January 24, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Chronicles 16:11 which says: "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Charles Stanley. He said, "We may never be put behind bars like Jeremiah was, but God will put us in circumstances and situations in order to teach us how to talk with Him." |
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| PLAY | The Problem with Indefinite Praying, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #225) | January 24, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 5:2 which reads: "Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. The most encouraging principle of prayer, and the most powerful plea in prayer, is, to look upon him as our King and our God. David also prays to a sin-hating God. sin is folly, and sinners are the greatest of all fools; fools of their own making. Wicked people hate God; justly are they hated of him, and this will be their endless misery and ruin. Let us learn the importance of truth and sincerity, in all the affairs of life. Liars and murderers resemble the devil, and are his children, therefore it may well be expected that God should abhor them. These were the characters of David's enemies; and such as these are still the enemies of Christ and his people. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Wesley Duewel. He said: "We can reach our world, if we will. The greatest lack today is not people or funds. The greatest need is prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the 6th and final part of our series titled "THE PROBLEM WITH INDEFINITE PRAYING" from Dr. John R. Rice. We ourselves would not know what to pray, with our carnal minds, but "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." This indicates that formal, indefinite, general praying is the result of not being led of the Holy Spirit. We do not know the mind of God. We have no assurance that we are in His will. Very likely we have grieved the Holy Spirit by our sins, or we have quenched Him by ignoring His plan. Nothing is clearer in the Bible than that men of God who got wonderful answers to prayer were led by the Spirit of God. They were definite in their praying because they knew what to pray for. They knew what they wanted, and they knew that God was willing to give these definite things. Oh, my beloved readers, indefinite prayer must often prove our insincerity, our formality. It proves that there is no burden, no real heart desire, in our prayers. It proves that we have not found the will of God, have not made ourselves familiar with His plans by the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit's leading. + Plus, listen to Shirley Caesar singing "Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name" |
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| PLAY | The Neglect of Prayer is a Grand Hindrance to Holiness (The Prayer Motivator Minute #165) | January 23, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 145:18 which says: "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A. C. Dixon. He said, "When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. And so on. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do." |
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| PLAY | The Problem with Indefinite Praying, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #224) | January 23, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 6:5 which reads: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: It is taken for granted that all who are disciples of Christ pray. You may as soon find a living man that does not breathe, as a living Christian that does not pray. If prayerless, then graceless. The Scribes and Pharisees were guilty of two great faults in prayer, vain-glory and vain repetitions. "Verily they have their reward;" if in so great a matter as is between us and God, when we are at prayer, we can look to so poor a thing as the praise of men, it is just that it should be all our reward. Yet there is not a secret, sudden breathing after God, but he observes it. It is called a reward, but it is of grace, not of debt; what merit can there be in begging? If he does not give his people what they ask, it is because he knows they do not need it, and that it is not for their good. So far is God from being wrought upon by the length or words of our prayers, that the most powerful intercessions are those which are made with groanings that cannot be uttered. Let us well study what is shown of the frame of mind in which our prayers should be offered, and learn daily from Christ how to pray. Our prayer motivator quote today is from R.A. Torrey. He said: "The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came...Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "THE PROBLEM WITH INDEFINITE PRAYING" from Dr. John R. Rice. When a neighbor says, "Come over to see me sometime," I may answer, "Yes, I will, and you come to see me sometime, too." Both of us are only being polite. "Sometime" never comes. Recently, a good man said to me, "Please don't make any other plans for Sunday, as we want you for dinner at our house. We have a nice young chicken; and my wife will plan things so she need not stay away from church, so please come!" I knew they wanted me, since plans were so definite, and I did go; and how sweet was the fellowship! But one of the worst things wrong with indefinite praying is that it proves we have not found the will of God, so we do not know exactly what we should pray for. When we pray about a sinner being saved, and say, "If it be Thy will," we are confessing that we have no will about the matter; and it may be we are confessing that we are not even familiar with the Scriptures and do not know the tender heart of God and His concern over every poor lost soul. Of course we dare not pray very definitely and dogmatically, demanding that such things happen on a certain day, or in a certain way, unless we have a clear leading that this is the will of God. How wicked it would be, how presumptuous to pray in such detail without having any idea as to whether or not it would please God, and fit in with His plans, and glorify His name! + Plus, listen to Jessy Dixon singing "I Know What Prayer Can Do" |
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| PLAY | God Would Prefer to See Us On Our Knees Asking for His Help Than to See Us On Our Feet Trying to Make Things Happen Ourselves (The Prayer Motivator Minute #164) | January 20, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 55:17 which says: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Robert Speer. He said, "The evangelization of the world depends first upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for workers; deeper far than the need for money; deep down at the bottom of our spiritual lives, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, worldwide prayer." |
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| PLAY | The Problem with Indefinite Praying, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #223) | January 20, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which reads: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: God expects that his people who are called by his name, if they have dishonoured his name by their iniquity, should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must be humble themselves under his hand, must pray for the removal of the judgment, must seek the face and favour of God; and yet all this will not do unless they turn from their wicked ways, and return to the God from whom they have revolted. National mercy is then promised, that God will forgive their sin, which brought the judgment upon them, and then heal their land, redress all their grievances. Pardoning mercy makes ways for healing mercy. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John R. Mott. He said: "Every other consideration and plan and emphasis is secondary to that of wielding the forces of prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "THE PROBLEM WITH INDEFINITE PRAYING" from Dr. John R. Rice. At Paris, Texas, a Christian woman told me about her fine, 16-year-old son who was unsaved. "But I am sure he will be saved some of these days," she said. When I urged her to bring him to the revival services and make sure he was saved, she said she was not worried; he was such a good boy, and she knew that she could win him some of these days. But a few nights afterward as the 16-year-old boy rode home on his bicycle late one night, he was bitten by a black widow spider. A number had recently died from the bite of this poisonous kind of spider. She called the doctor at once; and as soon as the boy was cared for she called me, at 11:00 at night, rushed across town in a car, told me weeping, "I'll never sleep until I know he's saved. I have just waked up to see that he might die and go to Hell any moment!" With his distressed mother standing by his bedside pleading with him, the boy quickly was convicted of his sins and was soon led to trust Christ as Saviour. I say, where there is no definiteness in prayer, it is because there is no urgency, no real burden, no heart desire. So when we pray, God wants our fallow ground broken up. Jeremiah 4:3 says, "For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." How appropriate to our prayer life is that warning in Amos 6:1, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion", and again, in Isaiah 66:8, "As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children". Indefinite prayer is prayer with no burden. + Plus, listen to Mahalia Jackson singing "Sweet Hour of Prayer" |
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| PLAY | God Will Have Nothing to Do With the Independent Person, but He Deals Graciously With Those Who Are Prayerfully Depended Upon Him (The Prayer Motivator Minute #163) | January 19, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jonah 2:7 which says: "When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "God does not hear us because we pray earnestly --- He hears us solely on the basis of redemption." |
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| PLAY | The Problem with Indefinite Praying, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #222) | January 19, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 16:24 which reads: "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Asking of the Father shows a sense of spiritual wants, and a desire of spiritual blessings, with conviction that they are to be had from God only. Asking in Christ's name, is acknowledging our unworthiness to receive any favours from God, and shows full dependence upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness. Our Lord had hitherto spoken in short and weighty sentences, or in parables, the import of which the disciples did not fully understand, but after his resurrection he intended plainly to teach them such things as related to the Father and the way to him, through his intercession. And the frequency with which our Lord enforces offering up petitions in his name, shows that the great end of the mediation of Christ is to impress us with a deep sense of our sinfulness, and of the merit and power of his death, whereby we have access to God. And let us ever remember, that to address the Father in the name of Christ, or to address the Son as God dwelling in human nature, and reconciling the world to himself, are the same, as the Father and Son are one. Our prayer motivator quote today is from A.W. Tozer. He said: "When I am praying the most eloquently, I am getting the least accomplished in my prayer life. But when I stop getting eloquent and give God less theology and shut up and just gaze upward and wait for God to speak to my heart He speaks with such power that I have to grab a pencil and a notebook and take notes on what God is saying to my heart." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "THE PROBLEM WITH INDEFINITE PRAYING" from Dr. John R. Rice. Spurgeon, writing on 1 Samuel 1:10-13, "She [Hannah]... prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore...she spake in her heart"---said: For real business at the Mercy Seat give me a home-made prayer, a prayer that comes out of the depths of my heart, not because I invented it, but because God the Holy Ghost put it there and gave it such a living force that I could not help letting it out. Though such words are broken, and your sentences disconnected, if your desires are earnest, if they are like coals of juniper, burning with a vehement flame, God will not mind how they find expression. If you have not words, perhaps you will pray better without them than with them. There are prayers that break the backs of words; they are too heavy for any human language to carry. Indefinite prayer usually reveals that there is no burden, no urgency in the heart. Very cheerfully, a woman said to me some time age, "Well, I have been praying fovr my husband 23 years and he is not saved yet; but I am asking God to save him before he dies." Her lightness of heart alarmed me and I felt led to say to her, "If you do not come to mean business and get to praying in earnest, your husband is likely to go to Hell!" If it is sin for a lost man to go on in sin without concern, expecting to be saved some time before he dies, then would it not be a sin for his wife to be content for him to go on in his sin and be saved just some time before he dies? + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Occurs When You Depend On God. Prayerlessness Occurs When You Depend On Yourself. (The Prayer Motivator Minute #162) | January 18, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Romans 8:26 which says: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "It is only when the whole heart is gripped with the passion of prayer, that the life-giving fire descends, for none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God." |
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| PLAY | The Problem with Indefinite Praying, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #221) | January 18, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Proverbs 15:29 which reads: "The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance. The wicked shall be for ever banished from his presence and he will behold them afar off. He will draw nigh to those in a way of mercy who draw nigh to him in a way of duty. Our prayer motivator quote today is from The Kneeling Christian. He said: "Prayer is not given us as a burden to be borne or an irksome duty to fulfill, but to be a joy and power to which there is no limit." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "THE PROBLEM WITH INDEFINITE PRAYING" from Dr. John R. Rice. The secretary of a preacher in an Illinois city not long ago told how the minister who employed her had already written out his public prayers for the next four months! In not one of those prayers would the preacher be praying, "Heavenly Father, save my next-door neighbor who is here today." In not one of those prayers would the pastor be praying, "Lord, heal Mrs. Smith, who was taken to the hospital this morning with acute appendicitis." In none of those prayers would the pastor be praying, "Lord, help us to give $500 today to send this missionary to India." No, such written prayers are likely to be mere formalities. We may say such prayers to please others. Or we may say them out of a sense of duty, feeling that there is some merit in praying, whether we ask for anything or get anything, or not. Or we may pray such prayers simply as a matter of habit. Many Christians say the same words day after day. And this is the danger of a "prayer-list". The other day a woman said to me, "Haven't you been to our church before? Then you are on my prayer list and I pray for you every day." But I had not been to the church before; she was not familiar with the names on her prayer list, she would run through them by rote. When people ask me to pray for them, I have found it wise to stop then and pray, if it is a matter that I can conscientiously take to God and make a request of Him. But I never promise to pray every day for anybody. I sometimes say, "If God lays it on my heart and brings you to mind, I will pray for you." The prayer that is not sincere, the mere formal saying of prayers, surely is an abomination to God. And indefinite prayer is often just that, an insincere formality. + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Persevering Prayer Infuses God-given Purpose With Power (The Prayer Motivator Minute #161) | January 17, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 65:2 which says: "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Elisabeth Elliot. She said, "Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer." |
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| PLAY | The Problem with Indefinite Praying (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #220) | January 17, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 145:18 which reads: "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: God is present every where; but in a special way he is nigh to those who call Him, as he is not to others. He is in their hearts, and dwells there by faith, and they dwell in him. He is nigh to those that call upon him, to help them in all times of need. He will be nigh to them, that they may have what they ask, and find what they seek, if they call upon him in truth and sincerity. Our prayer motivator quote today is from R.A.Torrey. He said: "The Spirit, when He prays through us, or helps us to meet the mighty “oughtness” of right praying, trims our praying down to the will of God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "THE PROBLEM WITH INDEFINITE PRAYING" from Dr. John R. Rice. A little consideration will show that indefinite prayer not only fails to get things from God but shows a sinful state of heart that must greatly grieve God. First, indefinite prayer is often a mere formality, and is insincere. Many people pray day after day for things that they do not really desire. But Mark 11:24 stipulates "what things soever you desire, when ye pray...." How could God answer prayers that do not represent a sincere desire? Some people pray to be heard of men. Think how many of our public prayers are indefinite, not asking anything of God and not getting anything! + Plus, listen to Jessy Dixon singing "I Know What A Prayer Can Do" |
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| PLAY | Why Prayer Should be Definite, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #219) | January 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:6 which reads: "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Here is a caution against disquieting perplexing care: "Be careful for nothing"—the same expression that Matthew 6:25, "Take no thought for your life"; that is, avoid anxious care and distracting thought in the wants and difficulties of life. Observe, It is the duty and interest of Christians to live without care. There is a care of diligence which is our duty, and consists in a wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care of diffidence and distrust which is our sin and folly, and which only perplexes and distracts the mind. "Be careful for nothing, so as by your care to distrust God, and unfit yourselves for his service." As a sovereign antidote against perplexing care he recommends to us constant prayer. Observe, we must not only keep up stated times for prayer, but we must pray upon every particular emergency; we must join thanksgiving with our prayers and supplications; prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, or making them known to him; and the effect of this will be the peace of God keeping our hearts. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Oswald Chambers. He said: "Jesus Christ carries on intercession for us in heaven; the Holy Ghost carries on intercession in us on earth; and we the saints have to carry on intercession for all men." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "WHY PRAYER SHOULD BE DEFINITE" from Dr. John R. Rice. Elijah went around for years with the key of Heaven in his pocket! God had given him such assurance that he could announce to the king in I Kings 17:1, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” This knowing exactly what you want, and asking it, demanding it, expecting it, and knowing that it is in the perfect will of God to give it, seems to be God's will for Christians, for Isaiah 45:11 says, “Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and His Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.” Blessed is the Christian who is so in the will of God, who so knows the mind of God, who has such definite desires that concerning the work of God, he can command God and have exactly what he asks! |
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| PLAY | Your Will is Definitely Involved in the Matter of Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #160) | January 16, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 116:4 which says: "Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Joseph Hall. He said, "Good prayers never come creeping home. I am sure I shall receive either what I ask or what I should ask." |
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| PLAY | The Fruit and Purpose of Prayer is to be One With and Like God in All Things (The Prayer Motivator Minute #159) | January 13, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jeremiah 33:3 which says: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J.H. Jowett. He said, "All vital praying makes a drain on a man’s vitality. True intercession is a sacrifice, a bleeding sacrifice." | ||
| PLAY | Why Prayer Should be Definite, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #218) | January 13, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Ephesians 6:18 which reads: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Prayer must buckle on all the other parts of our Christian armour. We must join prayer with all these graces, for our defence against these spiritual enemies, imploring help and assistance of God, as the case requires: and we must pray always. Not as though we were to do nothing else but pray, for there are other duties of religion and of our respective stations in the world that are to be done in their place and season; but we should keep up constant times of prayer, and be constant to them. We must pray upon all occasions, and as often as our own and others’ necessities call us to it. We must always keep up a disposition to prayer. We must pray with all prayer and supplication, with all kinds of prayer: public, private, and secret, social and solitary, solemn and sudden; with all the parts of prayer: confession of sin, petition for mercy, and thanksgivings for favours received. We must pray in the Spirit; our spirits must be employed in the duty and we must do it by the grace of God’s good Spirit. We must watch thereunto, endeavouring to keep our hearts in a praying frame, and taking all occasions, and improving all opportunities, for the duty: we must watch to all the motions of our own hearts towards the duty. This we must do with all perseverance. We must abide by the duty of prayer, whatever change there may be in our outward circumstances; and we must continue in it as long as we live in the world. We must persevere in a particular prayer; not cutting it short, when our hearts are disposed to enlarge, and there is time for it, and our occasions call for it. We must likewise persevere in particular requests, notwithstanding some present discouragements and repulses. And we must pray with supplication, not for ourselves only, but for all saints; for we are members one of another. None are so much saints, and in so good a condition in this world, but they need our prayers, and they ought to have them. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Fanny J. Crosby. She said: "God will answer your prayers better than you think. Of course, one will not always get exactly what he has asked for....We all have sorrows and disappointments, but one must never forget that, if commended to God, they will issue in good....His own solution is far better than any we could conceive." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "WHY PRAYER SHOULD BE DEFINITE" from Dr. John R. Rice. The definiteness of some of these men of God in their requests become so bold as to seem to us almost arrogant. They seemed to command God, and God even seemed to delight to obey! They knew exactly what they wanted, they asked for it, gave specific instructions about it, almost demanded it, and got it! Peter seemed just to take it for granted that anything he said about Ananias and Sapphira, God would do; and at his word they were stricken dead! in Acts 5:1-10. Peter seemed to feel a perfect carte blanche, as if he had a signed blank check from God so that he could simply announce to Aeneas, who had kept to his bed eight years, sick of the palsy, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.” And he arose immediately, the Scripture tells us in Acts 9:34! Paul the apostle could say to the impotent man with a loud voice, “Stand upright on thy feet!” And the man leaped and walked in Acts 14:10! Or he could say to Elymas the sorcerer in Acts 13:11, “Thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season” and immediately there fell on him a mist of utter darkness, we are told. The Bible is full of example |
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| PLAY | Why Prayer Should be Definite and Explicit, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #217) | January 12, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 15:7 which reads: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Our union with Christ is maintained by the word. It is in the word that Christ is set before us, and offered to us. It is in the word that we receive and embrace him; and so where the word of Christ dwells richly there Christ dwells. If the word be our constant guide and monitor, if it be in us as at home, then we abide in Christ, and he in us. How our communion with Christ is maintained—by prayer: You shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. And what can we desire more than to have what we will for the asking? Note, Those that abide in Christ as their heart's delight shall have, through Christ, their heart's desire. If we have Christ, we shall want nothing that is good for us. Two things are implied in this promise:—First, That if we abide in Christ, and his word in us, we shall not ask any thing but what is proper to be done for us. The promises abiding in us lie ready to be turned into prayers; and the prayers so regulated cannot but speed. Secondly, That if we abide in Christ and his word we shall have such an interest in God's favour and Christ's mediation that we shall have an answer of peace to all our prayers. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Jonathan Edwards. He said: "There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom of Christ as by prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "WHY PRAYER SHOULD BE DEFINITE" from Dr. John R. Rice. How refreshing is the beautiful story told in Genesis, chapter 24, of the old servant of Abraham who was sent back to the Land of Ur to get a bride for Isaac. Verses 12 to 14 give us his prayer as follows: “And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Issac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.” Isn't that a definite prayer? He asked that God would send to him the very girl He wanted to be a bride for Isaac He even gives the very sentence she is to say, “Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also.” And while he was yet praying, we are told Rebekah came out, gave him water and offered to water all his camels; and succeeding events proved she was God's answer to his and Abraham's prayer. And if men and women should pray as definitely about mates today, in the same spirit, no doubt God would guide them just as clearly to happy marriage, under His clear guiding. How definite was the request of Moses when he asked that the ground open and swallow Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their families in Numbers 16. And so Elijah prayed for drought and got drought, prayed for rain and got rain, prayed for fire from Heaven and got fire from Heaven! And when Joshua asked for the sun to stand still, he told the sun exactly where to stop in the heavens and then turned and ordered the moon, giving explicit directions where it should stay in its relation to the earth. In Joshua 10:12 we read, “And he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon”. How blessedly definite were the prayers of the Bible characters who got things from God! + P |
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| PLAY | We Live in Desperate Times, Yet the Church is Not Desperate in Prayer! (The Prayer Motivator Minute #158) | January 12, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jeremiah 33:3 which says: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J.H. Jowett. He said, "All vital praying makes a drain on a man’s vitality. True intercession is a sacrifice, a bleeding sacrifice." |
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| PLAY | The Self-sufficient Do Not Pray; the Self-satisfied Will Not Pray; the Self-righteous Cannot Pray (The Prayer Motivator Minute #157) | January 11, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 6:7 which says: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say that it is in one word -- prayer. Live and die without prayer, and you will pray long enough when you get to hell." |
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| PLAY | Why Prayer Should be Definite and Explicit, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #216) | January 11, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: The great advantage and efficacy of prayer are declared and proved: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, whether he pray for himself or for others: witness the example of Elias. He who prays must be a righteous man; not righteous in an absolute sense (for this Elias was not, who is here made a pattern to us), but righteous in a gospel sense; not loving nor approving of any iniquity. Further, the prayer itself must be a fervent, in-wrought, well-wrought prayer. It must be a pouring out of the heart to God; and it must proceed from a faith unfeigned. Such prayer avails much. It is of great advantage to ourselves, it may be very beneficial to our friends, and we are assured of its being acceptable to God. If Elijah by prayer could do such great and wonderful things, surely the prayers of no righteous man shall return void. Where there may not be so much of a miracle in God's answering our prayers, yet there may be as much of grace. Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Damascene. He said: "Prayer is the request for things befitting for God to give and for us to receive." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "WHY PRAYER SHOULD BE DEFINITE" from Dr. John R. Rice. How many times the great men of God in the Bible knew exactly what they wanted and insisted upon it and got it! I am reminded of Gideon, who prayed thus in Judges 6:36-37, “If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said”. The next morning Gideon got up, and sure enough, the fleece was so full of water that he “wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl of water”! That was a very definite prayer and a definite answer. But Gideon was encouraged to change his specifications and prayed again, “Let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece and upon all the ground let there be dew” (Judges 6:39). Sure enough, the next morning it was dry upon the fleece, and there was dew on all the ground! Gideon knew exactly what he wanted as an evidence from God, and God seemed delighted to give it! |
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| PLAY | The Task Ahead of Us is Never as Great as the Power Behind Prayer to God (The Prayer Motivator Minute #156) | January 10, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 21:36 which says: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey. He said, "If we would pray aright, the first thing we should do is to see to it that we really get an audience with God, that we really get into His very presence. Before a word of petition is offered, we should have the definite consciousness that we are talking to God, and should believe that He is listening and is going to grant the thing that we ask of Him." |
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| PLAY | Why Prayer Should be Definite and Explicit, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #215) | January 10, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 3:12 which reads: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
Allow me to share with you some important points regarding this verse from Matthew Henry's Commentary: Peter shows that Christians need not fear that such patient inoffensive behaviour as is prescribed will invite and encourage the cruelty of their enemies, for God will thereby be engaged on their side: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous" --- he takes special notice of them, exercises a providential constant government over them, and bears a special respect and affection to them. "His ears are open to their prayers" --- so that if any injuries be offered to them they have this remedy, they may complain of it to their heavenly Father, whose ears are always attentive to the prayers of his servants in their distresses, and who will certainly aid them against their unrighteous enemies. "But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil" --- his anger, and displeasure, and revenge, will pursue them; for he is more an enemy to wicked persecutors than men are. Observe, (1.) We must not in all cases adhere to the express words of scripture, but study the sense and meaning of them, otherwise we shall be led into blasphemous errors and absurdities: we must not imagine that God hath eyes, and ears, and face, though these are the express words of the scripture. (2.) God hath a special care and paternal affection towards all his righteous people. (3.) God doth always hear the prayers of the faithful, Jn. 4:31 ; 1 Jn. 5:14 ; Heb. 4:16 . (4.) Though God is infinitely good, he abhors impenitent sinners, and will pour out his wrath upon those that do evil. He will do himself right, and do all the world justice; and his goodness is no obstruction to his doing so. Our prayer motivator quote today is from Charles Finney. He said: "Effective prayer is prayer that attains what it seeks. It is prayer that moves God, effecting its end." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "WHY PRAYER SHOULD BE DEFINITE AND EXPLICIT" from Dr. John R. Rice. The model prayer the Saviour taught us all to pray is certainly explicit. A Christian is taught to pray about his food, “Give us this day...” In other words, instead of praying in lump sums and indefinite terms, God wants the Christian to ask for exactly what he wants that day. This means that the Christian who is in the will of God should be expected often to have his prayers answered the same day he prays! Happy is the Christian who can confidently ask his Heavenly Father, “Give me my food this very day.” The disciples heard Jesus praying and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So Jesus taught them to pray by the example of a man who goes to his friend at midnight and says, “Friend, lend me three loaves.” Not just, “Lend me some bread,” nor “Have you got anything to eat in the house?” but rather, exactly and definitely, “Lend me three loaves”. What a thrilling example of definite praying Jesus gave us! But this idea is inherent in all the promises throughout the Bible about prayer. For example, in Mark 11:24 Jesus said, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” There are many marvelous truths in this promise, but note that Jesus certainly meant that a Christian ought to have certain definite desires in his mind when he prays and then ought to be able to trust God and get exactly those things from God which he requests. Prayer, in the Bible sense, is getting down to brass tacks and asking God for exactly what you wan |
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| PLAY | More Things Are Wrought by Prayer Than This World Dreams Of (The Prayer Motivator Minute #155) | January 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 4:7 which says: "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "Many Christians backslide...They are unable to stand against the temptations of the world, or of their old nature. They strive to do their best to fight against sin, and to serve God, but they have no strength. They have never really grasped the secret: The Lord Jesus will every day from heaven continue His work in me. But on one condition—the soul must give Him time each day to impart His love and his grace. Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indispensable condition of growth and power." |
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| PLAY | The Power of Praying Definitely, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #214) | January 9, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 4:1 which reads: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from J. Hudson Taylor. He said: "The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!" Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "THE POWER OF PRAYING DEFINITELY" from Dr. John R. Rice. In any matter of daily living, we make our requests definite. We never go into a restaurant and say, “Bring me some food.” We carefully select from the menu just what we want and think we can pay for. Perhaps we say, “I want the small steak, cooked medium; some French fried potatoes, and a salad. I want black tea, hot, with cream; and orange Jello for dessert.” When you buy a meal, you are definite in what you want. No woman ever goes into a grocery store and says, “Please give me a basket of groceries.” Rather, she selects a certain brand of whole wheat bread, the best-looking head of lettuce, three grapefruit, and asks at the meat counter for two pounds of her favorite bacon. We are very definite in making our requests known about other matters. Then why do we not pray definitely also? No man whose house is on fire calls the fire department and says, “It may be my house is on fire. I saw some smoke coming out the roof a bit ago, but I have not investigated. Could you come out some day, if it pleases you, and put it out?” Yet many a Christian will pray about an unsaved loved one who is lost and may die any moment and go into eternal torment, and will say, “Lord, if it be Thy will, some day before it is too late, save my brother.” The modern idea and the modern practice about prayer is so indefinite that it is silly and wicked. Prayer is very definitely asking God for something. It ought to be as specific as a sick man's calling a doctor, as a housewife's giving an order to the grocery man, as an unemployed man's asking for a job, as a child's asking for an ice-cream cone. |
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| PLAY | The Power of Praying Definitely, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #213) | January 6, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 118:5 which reads: "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Jonathan Edwards. He said: "The true spirit of prayer is no other than God's own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings. It naturally leads to God, to converse with him by prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "THE POWER OF PRAYING DEFINITELY" from Dr. John R. Rice. Mark 11:24 reads, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Matthew 6:11 states, "Give us this day our daily bread." Luke 11:5 says, "And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;" John R. Rice tells this story: I was only a young Christian, about 18, in the cattle country of West Texas, when a dear country preacher, R.H. Gibson, took me with him to a rural community for revival services at the Black Flat schoolhouse. The first Monday morning, after one day's services, he and I went out early to pray. He read some verses from his little Testament, then said, "Can we agree on something definite to ask God to give us in the service tonight?" We talked it over prayerfully and finally agreed that it seemed God was laying on our hearts to pray for 5 souls to be saved that night. We prayed, he first and then I, asking God to give us 5 souls in the evening service. That night 5 souls were saved and came out so publicly, so openly for Christ that no one doubted their salvation. The next morning we rejoiced together in our place of quiet prayer out among the rocks and waited on the Lord to see if He would lead us again to know just how many we should ask. After a quiet time of discussion we each felt led to ask for 3 souls to be saved that night. We prayed, each of us, for 3 souls. That night 3 people were happily converted and came out in open profession of faith in Christ. Later we named particular people in our prayers and felt clearly led to ask for their conversions in the services that evening. That very evening we prayed for Bill Palm to be saved and he trusted Christ as his Saviour. (Later he was my roommate in college.) In those few days it dawned upon me that God wanted Christians to pray for definite objects, to be explicit in their requests. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | If You Can't Pray a Door Open, Please Don't Pry It Open (The Prayer Motivator Minute #154) | January 6, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:2 which says: "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.S. Lewis. He said, "Prayer is either a sheer illusion or a personal contact between embryonic, incomplete persons (ourselves) and the utterly concrete Person. Prayer in the sense of petition, asking for things, is a small part of it; confession and penitence are its threshold, adoration its sanctuary, the presence and vision and enjoyment of God its bread and wine. In it God shows Himself to us." |
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| PLAY | Our Faith is Increased When We Pray in the Will of God, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #212) | January 5, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:8 which reads: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from François Fénelon. He said: "Accustom yourself gradually to carry Prayer into all your daily occupation -- speak, act, work in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "OUR FAITH IS INCREASED WHEN WE PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. O Christian, submit your will to God's will. Turn away from any rebellion, any willful wanting of your own way, that displeases God. God wants you to have your heart's desires, wants you to be happy, prosperous, and successful. He wants you to be filled with the Spirit, to have soul-winning power and all the blessings that are bought for the Christian. But God cannot do much for you except as you humble your heart and surrender to God's will, wherever it shall lead you. Even if you do not know at once the will of God, surrender in advance and promise God, “I'll go where You want me to go! I'll do what You want me to do! I'll be what You want me to be!” I have given a humble, personal testimony of how many times God has answered my prayers. I believe there is a great need for personal testimony by those who know by actual experiences that God is wonderfully ready and willing to answer prayer. However, when I tell of marvelous answers to my prayers, I find that sometimes people bring me their burdens, thinking that I can get an answer for them when they cannot get an answer for themselves, as if God were more willing to hear me than to hear them. Always that grieves me. The plain truth is that any Christian has as much right to pray as any other Christian. Ofttimes the very reason why you cannot get your prayers answered is the same reason someone else could not get a prayer answered for the same thing. If you are not praying in the will of God, then it would be foolish for me to urge God to do that which was not according to His will. Or if there is a hindrance in your life, then that hindrance would still block the answer to your prayers, doubtless, even if many other devout Christians should join in prayer for the thing you want for yourself. So what you need to do is to make sure that your heart is surrendered to the will of God, that you find His will the best you know from His Word and by the leading of the Spirit, and pray in the will of God. God is as willing to hear your prayer as the prayer of anybody else in the world, if you can come acceptably, praying in His will. + Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing "What if His People Prayed" |
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| PLAY | It is the Discipline of Prayer that Brings Us Into the Deepest and Highest Work of the Human Spirit (The Prayer Motivator Minute #153) | January 5, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:15 which says: "And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.W. Tozer. He said, "So when we sing, 'Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,' we are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of the nearness of relationship. It is for increasing degrees of awareness that we pray, for a more perfect consciousness of the divine Presence. We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts." |
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| PLAY | Our Faith is Increased When We Pray in the Will of God, Part 1 | January 4, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 18:19 which reads: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Oswald Chambers. He said: "Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means for getting something for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "OUR FAITH IS INCREASED WHEN WE PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Believing, having faith about the answer, is many times stressed in the Bible as a certain way to secure the answer to our prayers. Mark 9:23 says, "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 11:22-24 says "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Matthew 21:22 says, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." These verses along with other precious promises, show that all things are possible to him that believeth, that whatever you desire you may have, if you believe and do not doubt. Elsewhere we shall try to show how to have faith in God, and how to grow stronger in faith; but here I call attention to the fact that faith is a gift of God, according to I Corinthians 12:9. And no one can have faith in God for things not in God's will. Faith really is a divinely given confidence that the thing asked is pleasing to God, and that He will therefore give it. When we pray in the will of God, with a heart fully surrendered to His way, eager to do and have done His will, and when we know by the sweet leading of the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God what is His will in the matter of prayer, the faith grows in the heart and confidently claims the blessing which it knows it will please God to grant. So faith is only possible when praying in the will of God, but it is easy to have faith that God will do the thing we ask when we know it is in the sweet will of God. |
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| PLAY | The Lover of Silence Draws Close to God (The Prayer Motivator Minute #152) | January 4, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 6:12 which says: "And it came to pass in those days, that he, Jesus, went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Henri Nouwen. He said, "Why is it so important that you are with God and God alone on the mountain top? It's important because it's the place in which you can listen to the voice of the One who calls you the beloved. To pray is to listen to the One who calls you "my beloved daughter," "my beloved son," "my beloved child." To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being." | ||
| PLAY | Of All the Spiritual Disciplines, Prayer is the Most Central (The Prayer Motivator Minute #151) | January 3, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 2:36-37 which says: "And there was one Anna, a prophetess...And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "We hear it said that a man will suffer in his life if he does not pray; I question it. What will suffer is the life of the Son of God within him, which is nourished not by food but by prayer...Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished." |
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| PLAY | Praying in the Name of Jesus Christ, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #210) | January 3, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:39 which reads: "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Evan Roberts. He said: "Prayer is buried, and lost and Heaven weeps. If all prayed, the wicked would flee from our midst or to the refuge." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST" from Dr. John R. Rice. The phrase "in Jesus' name" is not to be used simply as a magic formula. In fact, I do not think it was specially intended as words to be said in a prayer. That phrase is not in the model prayer, given by our Lord, nor was it used in any prayer recorded of New Testament Christians. We say "in Jesus' name" as a commonplace phrase, a part of formal ritual, in prayers that get no answer. That proves they were not really asked for Jesus' sake, not really asked just to please Him. But Bible Christians prayed in the will of God, without mentioning that it was in Jesus' name they asked it. This condition of successful prayer is not a matter of words but of heart. No one can pray in Jesus' name without knowing what the Lord Jesus wants and without wanting just what He wants in that particular matter. Really, to pray in Jesus' name simply means to pray in the will of God. + Plus, listen to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Catapults Us Onto the Frontier of the Spiritual Life (The Prayer Motivator Minute #150) | January 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Thessalonians 5:17 which says: "Pray without ceasing."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Basilea Schlink. He said, "How different the world would look, how different the state of our nation would be, if there were more sanctified priestly souls! These are souls who have the power to bless, for they intercede with sanctified hearts. They never begin their daily time of intercessory prayer without having first brought to the cross all that is unholy in their lives, so that their old self can be crucified there with Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb." |
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| PLAY | Praying in the Name of Jesus, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #209) | January 2, 2012 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Zechariah 4:6 which reads: "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from R.A. Torrey. He said: "Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God's infinite grace and power. All that God is and all that God does is at the disposal of prayer. But we must use the key. Prayer can do anything God can do, and as God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST" from Dr. John R. Rice. Many times we are taught to pray in Jesus' name. John 14:13-14 says, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." "Anything" you ask in His name, God will give it you! Then why do we not get everything we ask? For do we not nearly always close our prayers with the words, "we ask in Jesus' name. Amen"? And John 16:24 invites us to ask in Jesus' dear name. "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." So the way to get our prayers answered and have our joy full is to ask in Jesus' name. But I am convinced that many of us are forgers, putting Christ's name to a prayer He would not sign, using His name to secure things He would not endorse! The Bible does not promise to answer any prayer that we say is in His name, but rather any prayer that is really asked for His sake, because that is what He wants and what He would ask for. + Plus, listen to the Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | When the Wise Man Prays, the All Wise God Answers. (The Prayer Motivator Minute #149) | December 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7-8 which says: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Anselm of Canterbury. He said, "God does not delay to hear our prayers because He has no mind to give; but that, by enlarging our desires, He may give us the more largely." |
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| PLAY | Assurance in Prayer, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #208) | December 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is philippians 4:19 which reads: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from William Carey. He said: "Prayer—secret, fervent, believing prayer—lies at the root of all personal godliness." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "ASSURANCE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. How strange it is that some people learn only the letter of the Bible and never get the Spirit's message. John R. Rice tells the following story: Several years ago a good man sold Bibles in a revival campaign I conducted. He had read the Bible through each year for 22 years, he told me, and at that time was reading the New Testament through each month. I feel sure he was a sincere, good man. Yet he told me he had not yet decided about whether a saved person already possessed everlasting life so that he could never be lost, or not. And when we spoke of the second coming of Christ, he was not sure whether he was a premillennialist or not; and he thought perhaps one must be baptized to be saved. He had read the Bible many, many times, but got only the letter. So the Scripture never indicates that reading the Bible is enough for a Christian. If you would know the will of God so you can pray in His will, with confidence in getting an answer, you must have the Word abiding in your heart. Psalm 1:2-3 says about the blessed man: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." And is not that as blessed a promise as a Christian could ask? It is really a prayer promise; it is almost the same as saying that one who meditates day and night in the Bible will have everything he asks for; that God will prosper everything he does, give him everything he wants. That could only be because he so earnestly seeks with the heart to know the will of God that all his prayers are according to God's will and God can safely trust him with anything he wants! + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Assurance in Prayer, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #207) | December 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 95:5 which reads: "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Evan Roberts. He said: "Prayer is the secret of power." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "ASSURANCE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Jesus meant the same thing in regards to praying in the will of God, I think, when He said in John 15:7, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." "Abiding in Christ" must mean at one with Him, agreed with Him, surrendered to His will, trusting joyfully in Him. But to love and trust Christ is not enough if you would have your prayers answered. If you do not know His will, what would please Him, then no matter how you love Him, how surrendered to His will, then you could not expect Him always to answer your prayers. So the condition is added, "and if my words abide in you." You need to know the Bible from the heart so that Christ's words really live in you, and then, abiding in Him, you can ask anything you want and get it. So a loving heart-reception of the Word of God is a part of praying in the will of God. We know the will of God largely through the Bible. + Plus, listen to the City Harmonic singing "Manifesto" |
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| PLAY | If You Really Love Someone, You Will Pray for Them (The Prayer Motivator Minute #148) | December 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Samuel 3:10 which says: "And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John of Kronstadt. He said, "It is necessary to rouse the heart to pray, otherwise it will become quite dry. The attributes of prayer must be: love of God, sincerity, and simplicity." |
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| PLAY | Assurance in Prayer, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #206) | December 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 46:10 which reads: "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Henry Drummond. He said: "Ten minutes spent in the presence of Christ every day, aye, two minutes, will make the whole day different." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "ASSURANCE IN PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. When we know we pray in the will of God, how confident we may be of getting our prayers answered! In I John 5:14-15 is this sweet assurance: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." How sweet to pray, knowing that God gladly listens, since we are asking things according to His will. And thus praying, often we can literally know without any doubt that we are to receive the things we have requested. That is one reason for taking delight in the Lord, in His Word, His work, His will, His sweet presence through the Holy Spirit's conscious communion. For Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." That is another way of saying that the way to have your prayers answered is to so delight in God's will and be so surrendered to His loving plan that you and the Lord will see eye-to-eye and He can afford to risk you with anything your heart desires! That is praying in the will of God. + Plus, listen to the Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Humble Prayer Takes the Wheels Off of Pride (The Prayer Motivator Minute #147) | December 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Proverbs 15:8 which says: "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Wesley. He said, "Whether we think of or speak to God; whether we act or suffer for him; all is prayer when we have no other object than his love, and the desire of pleasing him." |
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| PLAY | Jesus in Gethsemane is Our Example of How We Ought Pray, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #205) | December 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 11:22-24 which reads: "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said: "A man who is intimate with God in prayer will never be intimidated by men." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "JESUS IN GETHSEMANE IS OUR EXAMPLE OF HOW WE OUGHT TO PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. Let no one think that Christ was simply resigned to the cross. Rather, He hastened toward it! He said in Luke 12:50, "I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how am I straightened till it be accomplished!" He also said in John 10:17-18, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." Long before Jesus came to this world, and every day of His life here, He was perfectly surrendered to go to the cross. What I am saying is that Jesus did not fearfully, reluctantly, resign Himself to the will of the Father, asking one thing but consenting to another. No, JESUS PRAYED IN THE WILL OF GOD, NOT AGAINST IT, and got what He prayed for. And the example He gave is not that we are to ask for our own way but be willing to give it up. Rather, it is that we may know God's will and ask for that all along, as Jesus did. No doubt we will not always know as perfectly as Jesus knew the will of God. Perhaps it was largely for our example that He prayed so repeatedly, "Thy will be done," and, "Not as I will but as thou wilt," since the incident is clearly recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as if the Holy Spirit wished to emphasize it. Every Christian should have this explicit understanding with God about every prayer, "Not as I will but as thou wilt." Oh, may we learn to pray with hearts surrendered to the will of God! + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray" |
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| PLAY | Carry Prayer Into All Your Daily Occupations for it Will Make All the Difference in the World (The Prayer Motivator Minute #146) | December 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 145:18 which says: "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Jonathan Edwards. He said, "The true spirit of prayer is no other than God's own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings. It naturally leads to God, to converse with him by prayer." |
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| PLAY | Jesus in Gethsemane is Our Example of How We Ought Pray, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #204) | December 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Isaiah 26:16 which reads: "LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from A.T. Pierson He said: "There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "JESUS IN GETHSEMANE IS OUR EXAMPLE OF HOW WE OUGHT TO PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. Hebrews 5:7 referring to the very prayers of Jesus Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, tells us what Jesus prayed for, and that the prayer was answered: "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared." So in the garden, Jesus prayed to be saved from death that night and He was heard and was saved from death. Satan would have forced the bitter cup to His lips that night, killing Him so that the Scriptures would not be fulfilled, so Christ should not die on the Passover day, so He should not hang on a tree, so He should not die between two thieves, so He should not die "according to the Scriptures." If Satan had succeeded, God's will would have been thwarted, the Scriptures would not have been fulfilled, and the death of Christ would not have saved anybody. But Christ prayed, in effect, "Father, You know I am willing to die. I came into the world to die, and have never shrunk from it. I would even be willing to die tonight, though I know You would have to raise Me up to die again tomorrow in the appointed way, at the appointed place, on the foretold date. I ask You to defeat Satan, let this cup pass from Me tonight. My blood is breaking from My veins; I am sorrowful even unto death; I will die here if You do not help. So if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me tonight. But You know I seek not My own will. Not as I will, but as Thou wilt." And Jesus prayed through, and was heard, and the cup did pass from Him till the morrow, and the Father who was able to save Him from death did save Him. Christ's prayer was answered. + Plus, listen to Daniel Whyte Jr. singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | Only Those Who See the Invisible and Pray Can Attempt the Impossible (The Prayer Motivator Minute #145) | December 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 65:2 which says: "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from D. L. Moody. He said, "Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure." |
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| PLAY | Jesus in Gethsemane is Our Example of How We Ought Pray, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #203) | December 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 143:1 which reads: "Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from R.A. Torrey. He said: "Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "JESUS IN GETHSEMANE IS OUR EXAMPLE OF HOW WE OUGHT TO PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. This most striking example of the Saviour's surrender to the will of the Father is when He was bowed down in the Garden of Gethsemane under the weight of the sins of the world, when His soul was "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death," He said in Matthew 26:38, and when "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." There Jesus prayed in Matthew 26:29, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." Then again He prayed in Matthew 26:42, "O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." Then a third time we are told He prayed, "saying the same words." Facing the most awful suffering, without hesitation, Jesus said to His Father and our Father, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." But this scriptural incident has been greatly misunderstood. Many have taught that here the Lord Jesus was begging the Father that He might not have to go to the cross, and only reluctantly submitted to the thing He did not want to do, and tried to avoid. Some commentators have supposed that Jesus thought there might be some other way to save sinners besides the cross. But all this seems foolish in the light of other Scriptures. + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | The Church Has Not Yet Touched the Fringe of the Possibilities of Intercessory Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #144) | December 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 55:17 which says: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said, "Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The Prayer Room is the boiler room for its spiritual life." |
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| PLAY | How to Pray in the Will of God, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #202) | December 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 66:17 which reads: "I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from A.T. Pierson. He said: "The Word of God represents all the possibilities of God as at the disposal of true prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "HOW TO PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. To pray in the will of God does not mean asking less, but more. And praying for just what God wants you to have will result in far more happiness than if you could have everything you wished with some of it outside the will of God. In this matter, loving surrender is not only right; it is wise. What God wants to give you is just exactly what you would want if you knew enough to want it, if you knew as God does, just how happy it would make you, and how long the blessings of it would last. Thus knowingly to pray contrary to the will of God is foolishness, and for God to answer such prayers would wrong you as much as it would wrong Himself. In His earthly ministry and life the Lord Jesus could say truly in John 11:42, "I know that thou hearest me always." The Father heard and answered every prayer that Jesus prayed, except, I think, the prayer on the cross, when He did not pray in His own right but prayed as a lost sinner would have prayed, when He was in the place of dying, condemned sinners, an alien from God. Then Jesus prayed not "My Father", but "My God, my God," and God forsook Him, as He was in the place of all the sinners in the world, that He might receive us, clothed in Christ's righteousness, and in His stead. So Psalm 22:2 says of Jesus on the cross, "O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not." But with that exception, God heard and answered every prayer that Jesus ever prayed. Always, except then, Jesus came as one perfectly in the will of the Father, and was never denied. Would you like always to be heard when you pray? Would you like to be able to get things from God as easily as His own Son, the dear Lord Jesus, got whatever He prayed for? Then "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." + Plus, listen to Natalie Grant singing "Waiting for a Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Time Alone with the Lord Jesus Each Day is the Indispensable Condition of Growth and Power (The Prayer Motivator Minute #143) | December 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 50:15 which says: "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E. M. Bounds. He said, "The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men…Men of prayer." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Way the Godly Life is Nourished (The Prayer Motivator Minute #142) | December 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 37:7 which says: "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "We lean to our own understanding, or we bank on service and do away with prayer, and consequently by succeeding in the external we fail in the eternal, because in the eternal we succeed only by prevailing prayer." |
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| PLAY | How to Pray in the Will of God, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #201) | December 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 4:7 which reads: "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "HOW TO PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Matthew 26:39 says, "...nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:42 reads, "...O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." 1 John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." John 14:13-14 reads, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." Successful prayer is for those who love the Lord and are surrendered to His will. An unsaved man may pray, like the publican in the Temple, "God be merciful to me a sinner," or like the dying thief who prayed, "Lord, remember me." And those men were heard and got saved, as millions of other sinners like them have been heard and have gotten saved when they prayed. Sinners may pray, and should pray, but if they expect to be heard, they must be willing to surrender to the will of God, willing to love and serve Him. It is true that God's mercy is so great that He sometimes answers the vilest sinners, but throughout the Bible it is made clear that God delights to answer prayer, but that He cannot do it regularly for those who do not want His will. So, if you want your prayers answered, seek to pray in the will of God, not contrary to His will. Seek to pray for things that can please Him, honor Him, not for the things that grieve Him, or hinder His blessed business, or encourage sin. God loves you so much that His love could only be measured by the gift of His own dear Son, by the awful price of Calvary. He is so anxious for your happiness and welfare that if you find the prayer He would have you pray, the one He is most willing to answer, it will include a larger number of the best things, the happiest things, than any prayer you could even think of without His help. Romans 8:32 says, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" + Plus, listen to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | Share Everything in Your Heart with the Lord, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #200) | December 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 21:36 which reads: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: "The little estimate we put on prayer is evident from the little time we give to it." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "SHARE EVERYTHING IN YOUR HEART WITH THE LORD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Since I have learned the blessed secret of opening my heart to God, it has done wonders for my own inner life. I have found that I ought to, and that I may, freely take every desire of my heart to God. He wants me to pray about literally everything. That means that I open every closet door. He knows it anyway, so why should I hide it? And if God loves me more than a father loves his child, why should I not tell Him about anything I want, anything I need? And even if I have a want, a desire that is not according to His will, should I not tell Him about it? Should I not ask Him to reconcile my desires with His will? I have resolved before God that I will never want things that I cannot talk to God about. And when I take the things to Him, He cures the desires that are evil by helping me to confess them, and He also gives me a blessed confidence that I have a right to ask of my Heavenly Father for anything in the world that I want. O, Christian, do not shut God out of a single corner of your heart! Tell Him everything! Ask Him for literally everything your heart desires! The presumption is that God wants you to have everything you want. Unless it would do you harm or dishonor Him, He would certainly want you to have your heart's desire. So pray for everything you want, meet God's conditions and get it. Or if you take a matter to God, and He shows you He does not want to give it to you, then ask Him to take that hurtful desire, of which He does not approve, out of your heart. Ask Him for anything you want, or stop wanting it! + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Fuel by Which Impossible Things Are Made Possible for the Christian (The Prayer Motivator Minute #141) | December 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 25:1 which says: "Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Jacquelyn K. Heasley. She said, "We waste most of our time trying to get God to do something He has already done—or praying for God to do something He told us to do." |
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| PLAY | Prayer Gives You Strength to Endure the Toughest Situations (The Prayer Motivator Minute #139) | December 19, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 17:1 which says: "Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John A. Hardon. He said, "Those who do not believe do not pray. This is a good functional definition of faith. Faith prays, unbelief does not." |
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| PLAY | Share Everything in Your Heart with the Lord, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #199) | December 19, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which reads: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from M.E. Andross. He said: "Make time to pray. The great freight and passenger trains are never too busy to stop for fuel. No matter how congested the yards may be, no matter how crowded the schedules are, no matter how many things demand the attention of the train men, those trains always stop for fuel." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "SHARE EVERYTHING IN YOUR HEART WITH THE LORD" from Dr. John R. Rice. Mother is at home, but oh, how she longs to hear from the daughter who is in the city. She wants to know about every new dress, every new friend, every night's entertainment, every raise in wages. Mother wants to hear every secret, wants to see every snapshot, delights in every confidence. And so it is with Father, too, though he may not say so much about it. It is one of the saddest things in the world when parents feel their children slipping away from them. When children no longer take parents into their confidence, the parents grieve. And so it is with God about His own children. How dear we are to Him! When I get to Heaven I will ask God to tell me why He wanted us, why He sought us, why He could not do without us! I have wondered why God wanted to come in the Garden of Eden and walk with Adam, even when he was perfect and sinless. And much more I have wondered why God runs after us poor, fallen creatures. But He does! And He wants us to take everything in the world to Him, share every burden with Him, every joy, tell Him every heart-cry, express to Him every longing! + Plus, listen to Daniel Whyte Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Groanings Which Cannot be Uttered Are Often Prayers Which Cannot be Refused (The Prayer Motivator Minute #139) | December 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 5:3 which says: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision. It is as if a regiment of soldiers should all fire off their guns anywhere. Possibly somebody would be killed, but the majority of the enemy would be missed." |
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| PLAY | Philippians 4:6 says Pray About 'Everything' (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #198) | December 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 27:7 which reads: "Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Fredrik Wisloff. He said: "You may pray for an hour and still not pray. You may meet God for a moment and then be in touch with Him all day." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled "PHILIPPIANS 4:6 SAYS PRAY ABOUT 'EVERYTHING'" from Dr. John R. Rice. Really your Heavenly Father wants to be taken into all the secrets and longings and desires of your heart. He wants no desire hidden from Him, but every desire turned into a prayer. In Philippians 4:6-7, the Lord says to us, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." In "everything" let your requests be made known to God. Here is the cure for worry. Anxious care, fretting, the lined, harassed faces and the troubled hearts that come from frustrated desires and troubled uncertainty about the future, can all be done away with if you will come to God and ask Him frankly and boldly for everything you want and stay there until He answers! Worry is a horrible sin. Worry is the opposite of faith and trust. John Wesley said, "I would no more fret than to curse and swear." And God's cure for worry is to pray about "everything". A dear Christian woman, devout and useful, came to me in Wheaton, Illinois, after hearing me preach on prayer, and said, "And to think that all these years I have put up with that faded, worn, old rug in my living room! I've been burdened about it, I have been ashamed of it, I have planned and planned but I was never able to buy another. I felt that it was all right to pray about lost souls, but that it would be wrong to ask God for a rug. Thank God I have found that He is willing to answer prayer about little things and He wants us to talk to Him about everything. I'm going home right now and ask God to give me a new rug!" What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. + Plus, listen to Hillsong singing "Our Father" |
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| PLAY | He Who Runs from God in the Morning Will Scarcely Find Him the Rest of the Day (The Prayer Motivator Minute #138) | December 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Chronicles 16:11 which says: "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "Is the Son of God praying in me, or am I dictating to Him?....Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He will press forward in front of our common sense and change our attitude to the things about which we pray." |
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| PLAY | It is Not Wrong to Ask if it is Not Wrong to Want It (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #197) | December 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 15:7 which reads: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Prayer is reaching out after the unseen." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled "IT IS NOT WRONG TO ASK IF IT IS NOT WRONG TO WANT IT" from Dr. John R. Rice. Every Christian ought to get his heart's desires and his prayers in accord. Anything you have a right to want, you have a right to pray for. If you do not have a right to pray for it, then it is wrong to want it. About any particular matter, the Christian ought to ask for what he wants, or quit wanting it. Just imagine that the Lord Jesus should knock at the door of your home and say, "I have come to supply your needs, to supply every legitimate want, to make you fully happy. Take me into your home and tell Me every lack, every need, every desire." If there were things in the home that were disgraceful --- vile music, licentious literature, worldly habits that defile the Christian's body, bad companions --- no doubt you would be ashamed and would start house cleaning. If you were conscious of the Saviour's literal presence, no doubt it would make a difference in what you wanted. But also, thank God, you would feel more free to ask Him for what you needed in the home. Since He came to your home for that very purpose, you might say, "Lord Jesus, You see there is not enough food in the home to satisfy the hunger of the children. You have it all, dear Jesus; give us the food we need." You might say, "Dear Lord, You see the good wife is so frail and does not have the strength she so badly needs to care for the home and teach the children and to prepare their food. Lord, give her more strength." Or you might say, "Dear Lord, we do not love each other as we ought here; we are quarrelsome and critical. We do not mean to be. We are so sorry. Won't You please help us to be patient and loving as Christians ought?" I say, if Jesus really came to live in your home, or to visit it just to satisfy your heart's desires and to tell you He was eager to give you what you wanted, I think you would surely make your requests known and tell Him anything you needed or wanted. Well, that is exactly what He says for you to do. If you want it, pray for it! If it is not right to pray for it, then it is not right to want it. In that case you should pray about it and ask God to fix your "wanter" so you could want things according to His will, want things that a Christian would have a right to want and have a right to pray for. It is shameful and wicked to set our hearts on anything that we cannot honestly talk to God about. But anything we have a right to want, anything we have a right to work for, anything we have a right to try to buy or plan about, that we have a right to pray for, too! Ask for anything you want! + Plus, listen to the Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Christians Are Invited to Ask for Literally Anything They Want (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #196) | December 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Nehemiah 1:6 which reads: "Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from T.D. Jakes. He said: "There will always be situations and circumstances that you cannot change for yourself or for your children. There will always be something over which you are utterly powerless—and it may be something potentially devastating. In such moments of crisis, there is no substitute for prayer and there is no source of strength and comfort like prayer. Let your voice be heard in heaven—and let me assure you that God is listening when you pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled "CHRISTIANS ARE INVITED TO ASK FOR LITERALLY ANYTHING THEY WANT" from Dr. John R. Rice. Mark 11:24 reads, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray..." John 15:7 reads, "Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Psalm 37:4 reads, "...He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." John 14:14 reads, "If ye shall ask any thing...I will do it." Philippians 4:6 reads, "In every thing by prayer...let your requests be made known unto God." In the Scriptures I just quoted, I have deliberately omitted the conditions, for the moment, that you may see that God really invites Christians to ask for anything they want. Jesus surely meant to invite us to ask for anything we want when He said in Mark 11:23-24, "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." He asked us to pray for "what things soever ye desire". Anything in the world you want, even to the casting of a mountain into the sea, is included in the boundaries of legitimate, normal prayer for a Christian! The condition of faith is given, to be sure. We are not here discussing the condition but calling your attention to the wonderful, unlimited invitation to pray for the things your heart desires, whatever they may be. In John 15:7 the same thing is taught. There Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Here "what ye will" is the proper subject for prayer. Anything in the world your heart wants, you should pray for. And is that not the meaning, too, of Psalm 37:4? There we are told, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." A Christian's prayer should coincide with the desire of his heart. Whatever his heart desires, that a Christian should ask for. Literally "any thing" may be requested by one of God's children in prayer, according to the sweet invitation of the Saviour Himself. In John 14:13-14 Jesus said, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." "Whatsoever" means anything in the world. And then Jesus, knowing the unbelief of our hearts, simply said, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." Christians ought to ask for anything, literally anything, they want from God! + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Little Praying is a Kind of Make Believe, a Salve for the Conscience, a Farce and a Delusion (The Prayer Motivator Minute #137) | December 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 4:1 which says: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from François Fénelon. He said, "Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer." |
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| PLAY | Pray for All of Your Needs and the Good Things That You Desire, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #195) | December 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 15:16 which reads: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from George Whitefield. He said: "Whole days and weeks have I spent prostrate on the ground in silent or vocal prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "PRAY FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU WANT" from Dr. John R. Rice. What should we ask for when we pray? The Lord answers this question in His Word many times that we are to ask for whatsoever we desire. We are to let our requests in everything be made known to God. We are to carry everything to God in prayer. It is strange and sad how stilted and artifical the modern conception of prayer has become. Many people think that one cannot pray acceptably without many "Thou's" and "Thee's", without a certain formal theological discussion at the beginning of the prayer, thanking God for Christ, and at the end of the prayer adding the stereotyped formula, "This we ask in Jesus' name." And as people have set and limited opinions about the proper manner of prayer, so they have most limited views of the proper subjects for prayer. Some teach that Jews in the Old Testament properly asked for earthly blessings, but that Christians in the New Testament can properly ask only for spiritual blessings! Some think it is wrong to ask for rain, for jobs, for money, or for particular, definite daily bread, despite the Saviour's model prayer. Likewise, other people think that on very great matters it is proper to pray, but on small matters it would not be right to take God's time nor ask for His help. But Christians need to break away from these traditional limitations on prayer and learn from the Bible that a Christian has a right to pray about anything and everything. + Plus, listen to the City Harmonic singing "Manifesto" |
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| PLAY | Wishing Will Never be a Substitute for Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #136) | December 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 18:1 which says: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Catherine Marshall. She said, "One can believe intellectually in the efficacy of prayer and never do any praying." |
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| PLAY | Prayer Unaccompanied With a Fervent Love for God, is Like a Lamp Unlighted (The Prayer Motivator Minute #135) | December 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Colossians 1:9 which says: "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Abraham Lincoln. He said, "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go." |
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| PLAY | Pray for All of Your Needs and the Good Things That You Desire, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #194) | December 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 56:9 which reads: "When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: "Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God's saints have been held." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "PRAY FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU WANT" from Dr. John R. Rice. Mark 11:24 reads, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." John 15:7 reads, "Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Psalm 37:4 reads, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." John 14:14, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." Philippians 4:6, "In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Dr. Rice tells a story of an experience he had while preaching on the subject of prayer... One afternoon in the midst of a revival campaign, I spoke at Sherman, Texas under the shade of the trees on the courthouse lawn. I suppose 75 or 100 people had gathered that week-day afternoon to hear the message on prayer. My text was Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." After I had earnestly tried to show that God is eager to give in answer to our prayers and stressed the plain words of our Saviour that "every one that asketh receiveth", a Baptist deacon rose in the audience and said, "Brother Rice, I believe in prayer; and I know God answers prayer, but I do not believe God wants us to pray about literally everything. Why, you talk as if you could even pray and get a-a-[he was searching for a preposterous thing]--as if you could even get a barrel of pickles!" The people laughed, but I told him plainly, "Yes, anybody who needs a barrel of pickles should pray for them, and I thank God that God has given me things a whole lot greater, and seemingly more unlikely, than a barrel of pickles." What shall we ask for when we pray? That is answered many times in the Bible. We are to ask for everything we want! Anything that you have a right to want, you have a right to ask for. Every Christian should take every desire to God in prayer. It is a sin to want anything that you cannot honestly pray for, and you should ask God to remove the desire if it is wrong. And if the desire itself is not wrong, then you ought to ask God to fulfill it! + Plus, listen to Daniel Whyte Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Although There Have Been Some False Prophets, Many Saints Testify that God Still Heals in Answer to Prayer, Part 6 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #193) | December 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Zechariah 4:6 which reads: "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from William Law. He said: "He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the 6th and final part of our series titled "ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FAKE PROPHETS, MANY SAINTS TESTIFY THAT GOD STILL HEALS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice continues the powerful story from Thursday's broadcast of God's healing in answer to prayer: I was called out of town for two revival campaigns. A few months later I spoke in Fort Worth, and after the service among those who came to greet me was Mrs. Kelly. She brought forward a fine looking woman and said, "You know this lady, don't you?" I did not and said so. Then Mrs. Kelly told me it was Mrs. Duncan, for whom I had prayed about six months before. She was the picture of health. She told me she had felt immediately strengthened after I prayed for her, anointing her with oil in the name of the Lord. Within two weeks after that she was up and going about. Now she had been doing all her own housework, her children had been brought back home, she never had another indication of the tuberculosis which after a fight of years' duration had brought her to the door of death. She wept for joy as she told me how strong and well she was. Four years later when I preached in Commerce, Texas, this woman was in the audience and came weeping as soon as I entered the building to tell me God had wonderfully kept her well. Later she wrote me a lovely letter of testimony which I still have. God simply kept His word that "the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." I do not feel that there was any merit in what I did, except that it was simple obedience, and I believe that thousands of others can have as remarkable answers to prayer as that if they only obey God's simple command and pray for the sick, believing the Bible and giving God a chance. And ministers and elders of churches should be willing to anoint the sick with oil, when it is requested in the Bible manner, and when they can do it in the name of the Lord. Surprising and blessed results follow God's way, many times. + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | A Minister's Highest Mission Ought to Be to Teach his People to Pray (The Prayer Motivator Minute #134) | December 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 6:12 which says: "And it came to pass in those days, that he [Jesus] went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Bunyan. He said, "Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan." |
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| PLAY | Prayer In Its Highest Form is Agonizing Soul Sweat (The Prayer Motivator Minute #133) | December 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Thessalonians 5:25 which says: "Brethren, pray for us."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey. He said, "Out of a very intimate acquaintance with D. L.Moody, I wish to testify that he was a far greater prayer than he was preacher. Time and time again, he was confronted by obstacles that seemed insurmountable, but he always knew the way to overcome all difficulties. He knew the way to bring to pass anything that needed to be brought to pass. He knew and believed in the deepest depths of his soul that nothing was too hard for the Lord, and that prayer could do anything that God could do." |
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| PLAY | Although There Have Been Some False Prophets, Many Saints Testify that God Still Heals in Answer to Prayer, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #192) | December 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jude 1:20 which reads: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our series titled "ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FAKE PROPHETS, MANY SAINTS TESTIFY THAT GOD STILL HEALS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice tells another powerful story of God's healing in answer to prayer: Again in Fort Worth, Texas, a Mrs. Kelly called me by telephone, asking me if I would go to see a woman, Mrs. Jewel Duncan, and pray for her, anointing her with oil in the name of the Lord. I said that if it were the woman's own request and if she were a Christian, I would. I was reluctant about it because I knew the fanaticism that sometimes accompanies praying for the sick. I do not recall that I had ever anointed anyone with oil before, but there it was in the Bible, and I could not explain it away as many do in unbelief. So I agreed. When I arrived at the home, a sign on the door said, "Do not knock." The nurse was gone, so I stepped inside. In the bedroom lay Mrs. Duncan. I already knew that she was dying with tuberculosis. She had spent two years in the state sanatorium for T.B. patients, and then was sent home to die. Already arrangements had been made to give away the two little boys. Humanly speaking, there was no hope. She had resisted the idea of having a preacher pray for her until the last, because she said that was not the way Baptists believed. But the fact that I was a Baptist preacher and that doctors gave no hope at all led her earnestly to seek the Lord and ask for me, whom she had heard, I think, on the radio, to come to her home to pray for her. She could barely whisper. I talked quietly about God's power, His willingness to answer prayer whenever it would honor His name, His blessed promises. Then I asked her several questions. 1. Did she know she was saved? 2. Was she willing to confess to God any sins He would bring to mind? 3. If God would heal her, would she give her life to Him in consecration and tell openly what He had done in healing her? To all these she answered in the affirmative. By the time the nurse had come in and got for me a bottle of olive oil. I put oil upon the sick woman's forehead in the name of the Lord, reminded her that it represented the Holy Spirit who lived in her body and who must heal her if she were to be healed. Then I quietly prayed, sitting by the bed. I felt peace in my heart and went away. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Say a Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Always Strikes the Winning Blow (The Prayer Motivator Minute #132) | December 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 2:36-37 which says: "And there was one Anna, a prophetess...And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Wesley. He said, "God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." |
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| PLAY | Although There Have Been Some False Prophets, Many Saints Testify that God Still Heals in Answer to Prayer, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #191) | December 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Romans 8:15 which reads: "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue.God’s voice in response to mine is its most essential part." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FAKE PROPHETS, MANY SAINTS TESTIFY THAT GOD STILL HEALS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice tells another powerful testimony of God's healing in answer to prayer: In 1931 I was in a tabernacle revival campaign in North Fort Worth, Texas. One night a young woman asked me to pray for an unsaved young woman friend who was in St. Joseph's hospital near death. She had quarrelled with her husband that day, and then took four bichloride of mercury tablets in a glass of water and had been rushed to the hospital. We prayed that night; the next morning I was in that Catholic hospital to see her. (In Catholic hospitals it is often much easier to deal with the sick for Christ than in others.) First I showed her that she needed a Saviour, and told her I would be willing to pray for her body if first she would trust Christ as her own Saviour. Soon she claimed Him, though desperately sick. Then I read to her God's Word about praying for the sick. When she confessed her sin and promised to do right about her home if God would heal her, we prayed, and I left. Outside the room I asked the nurse about her chances, and she said the doctor said there was no chance at all. I reminded her that God could do more than men dreamed, and she replied, "But you do not understand. Even if the poison did not kill her, the lining of the stomach was destroyed, and she could never digest food; she cannot get well." I went away remembering the red rash over the sick woman's face, her heavy breathing, her humble turning to God. I continued to pray. The next morning I saw her again, and the nurse said the doctors had decided there was one chance in a thousand. Loved ones had come from Oklahoma to see her before she died. The next time I called, the doctors thought there might be one chance in ten. A day or two later they said there was an even chance that she would live. I went out of town for revival services, and when I returned, found that she was well, had gone home with her father and mother who had come to see her die! I understand that her home was happily reestablished. + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City on Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Although There Have Been Some False Prophets, Many Saints Testify that God Still Heals in Answer to Prayer, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #190) | December 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 80:18 which reads: "So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from William Cowper. He said: "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FAKE PROPHETS, MANY SAINTS TESTIFY THAT GOD STILL HEALS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice tells a powerful testimony of God's healing in answer to prayer: I once had a daily broadcast on radio KFQB in Fort Worth. I began to preach on prayer, partly because it came naturally in a series of messages on the Gospel of Luke; partly, I think, because I had gotten such a blessing from the little Moody Colportage book, "How to Pray", by Dr. R.A. Torrey. A woman in Oklahoma wrote me that her married daughter had been bitten by a spider and was desperately sick. Her life was despaired of; she had heard my radio messages and felt led to ask me to pray for her daughter. I did pray. In two or three days a letter came saying that the afternoon I prayed the sick woman suddenly felt well, got out of bed and took up her housework. The decayed flesh had dropped out from the poison, leaving a hole, but at once it began to heal. My heart was greatly blessed by this incident, and several others where God gave me faith to ask for sick people to be healed, and then wonderfully answered prayer. After that my own daughter, then 5 years old, had a sore throat. We carefully attended her at home, but when after a few days her throat seemed worse and fever ran to 105, we took her to our family doctor. He examined her throat, checked her temperature and pulse, and gravely shook his head. "John, I am afraid it is diphtheria. Wait here till I see." He took a culture from her throat, smeared it on a glass slide, and sent it to the laboratory in the same building. Soon the report came back that diphtheria germs were clearly present. It was an advanced case. The doctor gave the little girl diphtheria antitoxin, had our home reported to the health department and quarantined. When we returned home and put the child to bed, I said to my wife: "I have been praying for other people and telling them that God answers prayer, and now I am going to pray for my own. I want to kneel by this bed and stay here until I have assurance from God that Grace will get well, and that He has taken complete charge of the case." She said she would do the same. We knelt in prayer, reminding God of how we had given the child to Him when she was born, reminding Him of His promises, and telling Him that if He would heal her, we would praise Him and would give Him the glory instead of the doctor, and would earnestly try to raise the child for Him. Soon I felt assured that God had heard us. My wife felt the same way. We rose from our knees after thanking Him. That afternoon the fever went down; that night or the next day it was gone entirely. Grace wanted to get up, but we would not let her. Then she asked to play with her dolls in bed, and they were given her. Now and then she would ask me, "Daddy, am I still sick?" I would have to say that I did not know --- that I knew she would soon be well, and everything was all right, but I felt she should stay in bed till a doctor or nurse examined her. We sent for the health nurse to examine her to see whether we should be kept under quarantine. The nurse came, was puzzled, said the child seemed perfectly normal, but since it was a proven case of diphtheria we should keep her in bed and the house would be under quarantine until the doctor examined her. The doctor came in a day or so, said the danger was passed and the child seemed perfectly well. He had the quarantine lifted. < |
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| PLAY | If You Have Time to Worry, You Have Time to Pray (The Prayer Motivator Minute #131) | December 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jonah 2:7 which says: "When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Jeanne Guyon. She said, "The only way to Heaven is prayer; a prayer of the heart, which every one is capable of, and not of reasonings which are the fruits of study, or exercise of the imagination, which, in filling the mind with wandering objects, rarely settle it; instead of warming the heart with love to God, they leave it cold and languishing." |
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| PLAY | Although There Have Been Some False Prophets, Many Saints Testify that God Still Heals in Answer to Prayer, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #189) | December 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 1:35 which reads: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Joyce Meyer. He said: "Build your faith on the fact that humble, believing prayer is powerful. Believe that you can pray anywhere, anytime, about anything. Believe that your prayers don't have to be perfect or eloquent or long. Keep them simple and full of faith." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FAKE PROPHETS, MANY SAINTS TESTIFY THAT GOD STILL HEALS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice gives a powerful personal testimony of God's healing in answer to prayer: When I was a boy of about fourteen, my father was seriously sick. We lived in Dundee, a little cow-town in West Texas. Long strain had so seriously affected my father's health that a specialist in Fort Worth had told him he must be away from business and go to the mountains for months or he would die. When he went on with his work, the inevitable breakdown came, and he hung between life and death. The family physician called in the other local doctor; finally both said the case was without hope. One night they announced to my stepmother that my father would not live till morning; that there was no hope. I knew little about the Bible, although I had been saved. But I knew that God answered prayer. I think I may have read James 5:12-16. Certainly I had never heard a sermon nor read an article about divine healing. Yet my father was a devout, believing Christian, and I knew that he had often told of remarkable answers to prayer. As instinctively as a child asks his father or mother for food, I felt I must pray. I went out to the barn, and as I passed the buggy shed I heard a voice; I listened, and my sister, two years older than I, was weeping and begging God to spare our father. I went on to the barn, knelt down in a horse stall and prayed. I came back into the house, and in the "front room" I heard someone praying; it was my stepmother. I went to bed and to sleep with a calm assurance that the doctors were mistaken, and that my father would live. The next morning my father opened his eyes and look around him strangely. As I recall, he had for days been either half conscious or delirious. Now he sat up in bed and said, "Where are my pants?" My stepmother, half laughing, half crying, said, "Why do you want your pants? You are sick; you must stay in bed." "I am going to town," he said. "I am all right." And he would not be denied. He got up, dressed, and went to town, while my stepmother frantically called the doctors. After he returned to the house, the doctors saw him and marveled, said it was simply unreasonable, and went away dumbfounded! Later my father went again to the specialist in Fort Worth and told him about the whole case. "Who was your doctor?" said the specialist. "Why, a country doctor, Dr. Robinson," my father answered. The specialist then said my father was the luckiest man alive to have happened on such a physician, that not one doctor in a thousand could have done what that country doctor did; that if he ever had similar trouble he must go to that doctor, wherever he might be! But I know it was not that country doctor but the Great Physician Himself who healed my father in answer to prayer. It now seems to me most remarkable; then it seemed to me the most natural thing in the world that God should answer such prayers. In those days evolution was a joke with the people I knew. A man who doubted the Bible was a fool. God was real. I do not remember that I told anybody about our prayers; I think God let me hear my sister and stepmother praying because He planne |
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| PLAY | The Time to Pray the Hardest is the Time That it is Hardest to Pray (The Prayer Motivator Minute #130) | December 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:8 which says: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Dave Earley. He said, "It is my conclusion and conviction that prayer is the timeless, and often overlooked, secret to high-impact spiritual leadership." |
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| PLAY | Although There Have Been Some False Prophets, Many Saints Testify that God Still Heals in Answer to Prayer, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #188) | December 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 15:16 which reads: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: "God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FAKE PROPHETS, MANY SAINTS TESTIFY THAT GOD STILL HEALS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said.... Jesus said in Acts 1:8, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me." There is a place for expounding the Word of God, but there is also a place for personal testimony. In Dr. A.J. Gordon's great book, "The Ministry of Healing", are given many, many authenticated cases of marvelous answers to prayer for healing of the sick. Dr. John R. Straton, late pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in New York City, gives some heartening and stirring examples of healing in answer to prayer, true stories, including his own, in his book of sermons, "Divine Healing In Scripture and Life." Some of the most remarkable, miraculous healings are related by Dr. R.A. Torrey in his little book, "Divine Healing." Other marvelous healings are related in books and "China's Millions", published by China Inland Mission. Even though we cannot agree with all the doctrinal teachings of men like Dr. Straton and Dr. A.B. Simpson, and with some evangelists now living who make much of public healing services, yet those familiar with them who love God and believe in answered prayer will rejoice at their personal testimony of how God healed them in answer to prayer. Not all professed healings really happened. The facts have been greatly exaggerated about many cases, and there have been many hurtful things about the modern movement which has big public healing services. Ofttimes it has seemed a racket to make money and exalt man, and has left many Christians in despair, since they have been taught that it is their own fault they are not healed. Yet despite the failures of men, both in doctrine and life, there are many well-known and blessed cases of healings, even miraculous healings, in answer to prayer, and in them every child of God can rejoice and can take courage. The evidence is overwhelming that many have been miraculously healed. God is the same. Jesus Christ is the same. The testimony of millions is that God has, in loving compassion, answered their prayers for the healing of the sick. So I can say, I too have seen the answer to my prayers for the healing of the sick. It is both a duty and a joy to tell it. + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Can Do for You in Five Minutes What it Would Take a Lifetime For You To Do On Your Own (The Prayer Motivator Minute #129) | December 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 3:12 which says: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Wesley Duewel. He said, "As a leader your usefulness is dependent upon your prayer life." |
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| PLAY | Sin Hinders Our Prayers for Healing as Well as for Other Things, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #187) | December 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 34:6 which reads: "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Bunyan. He said: "Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "SIN HINDERS OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AS WELL AS FOR OTHER THINGS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said.... Mrs. Jonathan Goforth, famous missionary to China, tells in her book, "How I Know God Answers Prayer", of remarkable answers to prayer, among them the wonderful healing of a Chinese woman's little daughter with an enlarged spleen. But she also tells how at about the same time her own little girl was sick of the same disease, and despite all her prayers the child died. She said she could not explain the failure to get the answer to her prayer except that at the time she held a grudge against a fellow missionary, and she indicates that that sin may have withheld the answer her heart craved. Dr. Charles A. Blanchard, in the splendid book on prayer, "Getting Things From God", tells of a sickness of his wife that continued despite many prayers. Finally, it was decided she should have an operation as a last resort. Then, Dr. Blanchard was reminded of a certain coldness or neglect in his own heart which the Holy Spirit showed him was a sin. Earnestly he confessed his fault to God and at once there came a change for the better, and his wife was soon well without an operation. Beloved Christian, if you want God to heal your body, first earnestly search whether there be sin in your life, unconfessed and unlamented and unforsaken. "Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Say a Prayer" |
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| PLAY | There Are Too Many People Praying for Mountains of Difficulty to Be Removed, When What They Really Need to Pray for is Courage to Climb Them (The Prayer Motivator Minute #128) | December 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Micah 7:7 which says: "Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Dave Earley. He said, "Spiritual work depends upon spiritual tools. No spiritual tool is as significant or powerful as prayer." |
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| PLAY | Before Attempting to Accomplish Anything At All, Make Sure You Pray First (The Prayer Motivator Minute #127) | November 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 11:17 which says: "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Chuck Smith. He said, "Through prayer you can advance with the battering ram and demolish the strongholds the enemy has on those individual lives—freeing them from the power that holds them captive." |
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| PLAY | Sin Hinders Our Prayers for Healing as Well as for Other Things, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #186) | November 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 116:4 which reads: "Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Oswald Chambers. He said: "We do not pray at all until we are at our wits' end." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "SIN HINDERS OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AS WELL AS FOR OTHER THINGS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said.... God does send sickness because of sin, as is shown throughout the Bible. Miriam, Uzziah, and Gehazi were all struck with leprosy because of their sins. King Jeroboam had his hand withered because he attempted to seize the prophet of God. In the New Testament, King Herod was smitten of God and worms ate him because he took honor as a god. Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead at Peter's words. Elymas the sorcerer was made blind for his sin in resisting the Gospel before the deputy, when Paul preached. When Jesus healed the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, He told him in John 5:14, "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee." When He healed the palsied man borne of four and let down through the roof, He said first, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Then later He said in Mark 2:5-11, "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house." And then, the man was healed at once. But his sins were first forgiven. That should teach us that forgiveness is far more important than healing of the body. But surely it also shows that often sins need to be forgiven before God can honorably heal the body. We are told that in Corinth many Christians ate the Lord's supper unworthily. They had divisions, some came drunk to the Lord's table, some were guilty of even grosser sins. For this reason there was sickness among them, and some Christians died prematurely because of their sins. The Holy Spirit had Paul write them in I Corinthians 11:30-32: "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." So for a child of God sickness is often the chastening of the Lord. Every Christian who is sick or weakly should judge himself, carefully confessing every known sin and forsaking his own way in any matter that may be contrary to God's way. + Plus, listen to Hillsong singing "Our Father" |
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| PLAY | No Matter Where We Are, Jesus is Only a Prayer Away (The Prayer Motivator Minute #126) | November 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 22:31-32 which says: "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martin Luther. He said, "Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart." |
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| PLAY | Sin Hinders Our Prayers for Healing as Well as for Other Things, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #185) | November 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Genesis 12:8 which reads: "And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: "Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "SIN HINDERS OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AS WELL AS FOR OTHER THINGS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said.... When there was no sin, there was no sickness. All disease and suffering came to mankind as the fruit of sin. People suffer, sometimes, when it is not their own sin that causes the suffering. Job is a classic example. People sometimes suffer for Christ's sake. But if there had been no sin, there had been no suffering; and often, at least, suffering can be traced directly to the sins of the one who suffers. So one who asks God for healing should carefully consider whether there are sins between him and God. Sin must be considered in the healing question. James 5:15 says, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." It is thus inferred that sin may have caused the sickness. And the next verse, James 5:16 says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." The word faults here is translated sins in the American Revised Version. So those who pray for healing should confess their sins. Certainly they should confess their sins to God, but here we are told to confess our sins to one another when we pray one for another, that we may be healed. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Moves the Hand That Moves the Universe (The Prayer Motivator Minute #125) | November 28, 2011 |
| This is Daniel Whyte III with the Prayer Motivator Minute here to remind you that there is still great power in prayer to God Almighty.
Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:15 which says: "And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Jonathan Edwards. He said, "Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life." |
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| PLAY | Commune Daily With God, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #184) | November 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 62:8 which reads: "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from J. Hudson Taylor. He said: "The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, 'Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!'" Our prayer motivator devotional today is the 3rd and final part of our series titled "COMMUNE DAILY WITH GOD IN PRAYER" from Dr. Curtis Hutson. Dr. Curtis Hutson tells this story: "When my son was a tiny tot, I had him ask the blessing at the table before one of our meals. He prayed for several things, then he prayed, "And, dear God, bless all my sins." I chuckled and thought, 'That's the attitude many Christians take.' Later, I explained that we didn't ask God to bless our sins --- we confess them and ask God to forgive and cleanse them. The believer should pray daily because he needs forgiveness and cleansing every day. Martin Luther said, "Keep short accounts with God," meaning, don't let sin build up in your life. When you sin, immediately confess it and claim the forgiveness and cleansing which God offers. A preacher, on the way to church early one Sunday morning, stopped at a service station where he saw a little girl with her baby brother. The little boy was grimy and dirty. Looking at him, the preacher said, "Son, how in the world did you get so dirty so early in the morning?" The little boy's sister interrupted, "Preacher, he didn't get that dirty this morning. He went to bed like that last night." How many believers go to bed night after night with sins unconfessed. You allow sin to build up in your life and lose fellowship with Christ. Communing daily with God in prayer is an absolute essential to successful Christian living. It's the way to get wisdom. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Here God says, "Ask for all the wisdom you want, and I'll give it liberally and will not scold you for asking." What an encouragement to pray! There are a number of other reasons why the believer should pray daily, but these are some of the more important ones. + Plus, listen to Daniel Whyte Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | How to Get in a Thanksgiving State of Mind (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #183) | November 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:6 which reads: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Henry Melville. He said: "Praise is the best auxiliary to prayer; and he who most bears in mind what has been done for him by God will be most emboldened to supplicate fresh gifts from above." In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, our devotional today is titled "HOW TO GET IN A THANKSGIVING STATE OF MIND". This is a piece that I wrote some years ago regarding Thanksgiving for my book "Money Under the Car Seat And Other Things To Thank God For". Allow me to share it with you now: When I wrote this essay some time back I left out one interesting little fact, and that is, that I am the least likely individual to write anything about a holiday, much less a book. I say that simply because throughout my adult life, I have never celebrated any holidays including Christmas, not for any religious convictions, but, probably simply because I find holidays and birthdays vain, and a colossal waste of energy, money, and time. In fact, this will shock you, there were certain holidays that I used to hate to see come around, simply because places like the bank and the post office would shut down for no good reason, in my humble opinion. Yes, I was a literal Scrooge and still am to some degree, I guess. But for some reason, somehow, the Spirit of THANKSGIVING reached out and took me in out of the “non-holiday” cold and warmed my heart in a big way, so much so, that I was compelled to write this little book. I was not looking for Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving found me. This is what I mean when I say in the essay, “Thanksgiving happens to you.” There is a power in the spirit of Thanksgiving that affects you far more than what you contribute to it. I am convinced that a person is in a spiritual coma if he or she cannot recognize a special presence of God during Thanksgiving week, when an entire nation of over 300 million people are at least recognizing and thanking the God Who made them, whether they want to or not. When I wrote this piece, I tried to convey two things: 1. The radiant spirit of Thanksgiving in the natural, that is, the physical blessings of God that we humans (or at least I) enjoy during that time. 2. The radiant spirit of Thanksgiving in the Spirit realm, that is, the glory that our loving God deserves and receives from us during that time of the year, especially. Believe it or not, I normally do not struggle to write anything, but this piece was strangely difficult to compose and to convey. I tried to express the emotions, the feelings, and the spirit of Thanksgiving that I, and I am sure others feel, with the true meaning and purpose of this wonderful holiday called Thanksgiving, simultaneously. I hope that I have succeeded. We do not make Thanksgiving happen. Thanksgiving happens to us. What I mean by that is: even though some wise people, many years ago, prompted by God, of course, started what is now called the Thanksgiving holiday to give thanks for the mercies, blessings, and provisions of a loving God, God has taken a very special interest in this holiday called Thanksgiving, because it brings glory to Him. God is very interested in His glory. When Thanksgiving comes, I don’t know about you, but I sense more than ever the presence of Almighty God. GOD INHABITS THE PRAISE OF HIS PEOPLE Thanksgiving is a glorious holiday. For my family, the entire Thanksgiving week is an easy going, laid back time of enjoying God’s goodness and praising Him. Thanksgiving is not just a holiday to us, it is a spiritual activity; it is a state of mind; it is an emotion—a positive emotion. It is a feeling—a positive feeling. No, we don’t make Thanksgiving happen. |
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| PLAY | God Is a Great Giver, Let Us be Great in Giving Thanks (The Prayer Motivator Minute #124) | November 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from D.L. Moody. He said, "Be careful for nothing, be prayerful for everything, be thankful for anything." |
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| PLAY | A Day Hemmed in Prayer is Less Likely to Unravel (The Prayer Motivator Minute #123) | November 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:36 which says: "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Jack Hayford. He said, "You and I can help decide which of these two things – blessing or cursing – happens on earth. We will determine whether God’s goodness is released toward specific situations or whether the power of sin and Satan is permitted to prevail. Prayer is the determining factor....If we don't, He won't." |
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| PLAY | Commune Daily With God, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #182) | November 23, 2011 |
| In the middle of the prayer we were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was past midnight. Here stood a couple crying. They handed us a check and said, 'God woke us up and told us to bring you this money.' When they left, we found the check was for the same amount as the bills! | ||
| PLAY | Are You Living in Such a Way to Get Your Prayers Answered by God? (The Prayer Motivator Minute #122) | November 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:14 which says: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Sidlow Baxter. He said, "Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers." |
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| PLAY | Commune Daily With God, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #181) | November 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote today is from Chuck Smith. He said: "The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray."
Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "COMMUNE DAILY WITH GOD IN PRAYER" from Dr. Curtis Hutson. Dr. Curtis Hutson said... The so-called "Lord's Prayer" implies daily communion with God. "Give us this day our daily bread". It seems that prayer would have to be prayed again tomorrow and the next day and the next and so on. If God intended that we pray only once a week, the passage should read, "Give us this day our 'weekly' bread." Luke 18:1 says, "...men ought always to pray, and not to faint." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we are to "Pray without ceasing." And Psalm 5:3 says, "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." There are many reasons why believers should commune daily with God in prayer. In the first place, it's God's appointed way for us to obtain things. Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask, and it shall be given you...." And James 4:2 tells us, "...ye have not because ye ask not." You would be surprised what you can get from God by simply asking. And don't be afraid to ask too much. One of Napoleon's soldiers made an unbelievable request. The other soldiers laughed at him. "You''ll never get it. You've asked for too much." But to their surprise, Napoleon called the soldier in and said, "You have honored me by the magnitude of your request. It shall be granted." God likes for us to ask for big things. Psalm 81:10 says, "...open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." Oh, the wonderful answers to prayers that I've experienced --- the many things that God has given to me! + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | Should Christians Use Doctors and Medicine? Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #180) | November 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Isaiah 58:9 which reads: "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Chuck Smith. He said: "Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "SHOULD CHRISTIANS USE DOCTORS AND MEDICINE?" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... God can save a sinner without the use of any human aid, but He does not usually do so. If God can use a man, with his consecrated wisdom, love and skill, in winning a soul, why could He not use a doctor, a pharmacist, or a nurse, with their consecrated skill, in healing the sick? Luke is called "the beloved physician", and the Bible never condemns the prayerful use of doctors and medicines. So men do not trust doctors instead of God. Sometimes I have felt clearly led to pray and trust God for healing without doctors and without medicine, and He has answered graciously and wonderfully. I have known a number of cases where doctors failed and God seemed to be glorified in doing His wonderful work without them. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | Praying is Hard; Living Without Praying is Harder (The Prayer Motivator Minute #122) | November 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 18:19 which says: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from yours truly, Daniel Whyte III. "Prayer, Think, Do!" |
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| PLAY | Should Christians Use Doctors and Medicine? Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #179) | November 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:6 which reads: "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Myles Munroe. He said: "There is nothing more common among men, no human activity more universal, yet none more mysterious and misunderstood, than prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "SHOULD CHRISTIANS USE DOCTORS AND MEDICINE?" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... In I Timothy 5:23 the Holy Spirit had Paul tell Timothy, "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities." I have no doubt the wine prescribed here was simply the 'new wine' of Bible language, that is, grape juice. But it was used, certainly, as a medicine. And if the juice of grapes may be pressed out and used for medicine, why may not the juice be pressed out of figs to make 'syrup of figs'? And why may not the oil be pressed out of castor beans and used for medicine (castor oil), and why may not other things which God has provided in nature be prayerfully and gratefully used for the human body's health when it is specifically fitted for the use? In his book, "Miraculous Healing", Dr. Henry W. Frost calls attention to the foolish inconsistency of those who would eat figs and thank God for their naturally healthful laxative effect, but who would, if the juices were pressed out and put in a bottle, feel that it would be a sin to take it for the same result! Jesus used spittle mixed with clay to heal a blind man. Why, I do not know, except to show that He could use means, and that His healings need not necessarily be instantaneous. But Jesus used a fish, a hook, and Peter, to get money for taxes. He had the ten lepers go show themselves to the priest, and in the act of going they were healed. He used five loaves and two small fishes to feed the five thousand, though he could as easily have done it without them. He used the disciples to carry the food. He used baskets for picking up the fragments. When He made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He rode a donkey when He could have flown. Why should not God use means, when He chooses, to answer prayer for healing of the sick? + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray?" |
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| PLAY | A Prayerless Soul is a Christless Soul (The Prayer Motivator Minute #120) | November 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Hebrews 7:25 which says: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon. He said, "It may sound strange, but in its simplest meaning prayer has to do with conflict. Rightly understood it is the deciding factor in a spirit conflict...Prayer is man giving God a footing on the contested territory of this earth." |
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| PLAY | Every Minister Ought to Know That if the Prayer Meetings are Neglected, All his Labors Are in Vain (The Prayer Motivator Minute #120) | November 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 9:28 which says: "And it came to pass that Jesus took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said, "Prayer is as vast as God because He is behind it. Prayer is as mighty as God, because He has committed Himself to answer it." | ||
| PLAY | Should Christians Use Doctors and Medicine? Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #178) | November 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "SHOULD CHRISTIANS USE DOCTORS AND MEDICINE?" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Some preachers who draw big crowds by their healing meetings claim that it is a sin to go to a doctor, or at least for a Christian it shows a lack of faith in God. But that teaching is not found in the Bible; it is inconsistent with common sense and with God's way of doing His work in other realms. There are a number of Scriptures which show it is no sin to consult a physician, if it be done in faith, depending on God to use the doctor, and no sin to take medicine if it be in faith, depending on God to bless and use the medicine which He Himself has supplied in nature for mankind. A typical case of healing in answer to prayer in the Bible, where God used means in the cure, is that of King Hezekiah. Isaiah 38:1-5 says, "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years." What a wonderful case of answer to a prayer for healing! Did Hezekiah instantly get out of bed, call all the doctor's imposters and vow he would never take another dose of medicine? He did not! The way he got well is told in the same chapter, Isaiah 38:21, "For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover." From the similar account in II Kings 20:8 we learn that by the third day King Hezekiah was well enough to go to the house of the Lord. It was not instant healing, it was not without means, but it was divine healing, I think even miraculous healing, in answer to prayer. | ||
| PLAY | Prayer is the Voice of Faith (The Prayer Motivator Minute #119) | November 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 2 Chronicles 7:1 which says: "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Corrie Ten Boom. She said, "What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul." |
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| PLAY | In Most Cases, It Is God's Will To Heal In Answer To Prayer, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #177) | November 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 22:5 which reads: "They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: "Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer. Little acquaintance with God, and strangeness and coldness to Him, make prayer a rare and feeble thing." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the 3rd and final part of our series titled "IN MOST CASES, IT IS GOD'S WILL TO HEAL IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... I think sometimes a Christian should be hungry, sometimes be out in winter's cold without a bed, or without sufficient clothes, for Christ's sake. We should be willing to suffer for Him. Paul and many other of the best Christians have suffered these things. But usually that is not God's will. Ordinarily, Christians should pray for and get daily bread and sufficient clothing. So, I believe, ordinarily Christians can go to God in sickness and be healed. So Christians should learn to go earnestly and confidently to God in prayer every time they are sick and ask for healing. If the Holy Spirit plainly reveals that it is not God's will to heal, then we, like Paul, should gladly accept the will of God, knowing it is better than anything else we can ask. Remember, prayer is not telling God; it is asking God. But unless God does not reveal that He has other plans after we earnestly seek to know His will and to make it ours, then we have a right to wait confidently on God for healing. I think I ought to say that in literally hundreds of cases I have had prayers answered for the sick, some slowly, some suddenly, others only after long waiting on God. So I believe it is usually God's will to heal His children when they are sick, provided they confess and forsake their sins and seek His face with a surrendered heart. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | The Church Should be Prayer-conditioned (The Prayer Motivator Minute #118) | November 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 16:24 which says: "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Henry Blackaby. He said, "Prayer influences men by influencing God to influence them." |
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| PLAY | In Most Cases, It Is God's Will To Heal In Answer To Prayer, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #176) | November 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 5:2 which reads: "Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "IN MOST CASES, IT IS GOD'S WILL TO HEAL IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Yes, thank God, it is usually God's will to heal His own, so He invites us to pray. "Is any afflicted? let him pray." And we are to call the elders of the church to pray, also, as God leads. And individuals are to "confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed." Not every sinner we pray for is saved, not every sick person we pray for gets well, but nevertheless, prayer gets many lost sinners saved, and no doubt many a sick person is healed in answer to prayer who would otherwise die or remain an invalid. So the first duty about sickness is to pray about it. In my own experience, after I prayed about the sick, I have sometimes felt clearly that God had some good reason for keeping the person sick, and I could not have faith for his or her healing. In a few cases I felt God would not heal because His blessing was prevented by some sin. God must not appear to endorse sin or ignore it. Sometimes, I have felt that the Christian would not wait on God in faith, but preferred to trust doctors and human help; sometimes there was known sin in the life -- worldliness, covetousness, unforgiveness, or some filthy habit. But in the great majority of cases, where Christians seemed honestly to forsake sin and wait on God to find His will about sickness, He has healed the sick! Healing is the normal and to-be-expected thing for a Christian who is in the will of God. + Plus, listen to Hillsong singing "Our Father" |
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| PLAY | In Most Cases, It Is God's Will To Heal In Answer To Prayer, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #175) | November 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 6:6 which reads: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from M.E. Andross. He said: "Time spent alone with God is not wasted. It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "IN MOST CASES, IT IS GOD'S WILL TO HEAL IN ANSWER TO PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... One who comes to pray for healing, either for himself or for another, must come saying, "Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Before any of us can demand of God or claim healing, we must, with surrendered hearts, be ready to have sickness continue or death come, if that be God's will. But thank God, it is usually God's will to heal the sick. We know that a large percentage of sick people would get well without a physician or medicine. God put healing forces in nature, and the body itself tends to combat disease. That surely shows that usually health is God's plan, and that disease is usually of Satan. We know that God's great compassion and love toward His dear children is greater than that of an earthly father. He never wants us to suffer except when it is for our own good and thus, for His own glory. Romans 8:32 says, He who "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?", that is, all things truly good and for our happiness and welfare. Unless He sees that the sickness Satan has brought may be turned to our best interest, better than health for the time, then we may be sure He is eager to heal our sickness. About health as about everything else a Christian needs, it is often true that "ye have not because ye ask not." + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | God Always Answers Knee-mail (The Prayer Motivator Minute #117) | November 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Zechariah 4:6 which says: "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history." |
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| PLAY | The Force of Prayer is Greater than Any Combination of Man-Controlled Powers (Prayer Motivator Minute #116) | November 11, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Acts 9:40 which says: "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Chadwick. He said, "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray." |
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| PLAY | Is it God's Will to Heal Every Time?, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #174) | November 11, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:16 which reads: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew A. Bonar. He said: "Oh brother, pray; in spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer; rather neglect friends than not pray; rather fast, and lose breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper--and sleep too--than not pray. And we must not talk about prayer, we must pray in right earnest. The Lord is near. He comes softly while the virgins slumber." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the third and final part of our series titled Is It God's Will to Heal Every Time? from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... My mother died when she was about 28 years old. On her deathbed she made us promise to meet her in Heaven; had us sing "How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord," and looking up, declared that she saw Jesus and her baby. And so, literally filled with the Spirit and rejoicing, she went home to Heaven. Was her sickness God's will? I, who have missed her so much for over 70 years, feel certain that it was. And every divine healer who teaches that it is God's will that every Christian should have perfect health, sooner or later finds that sickness comes upon him, and sometimes with it the breakdown of all his faith, and even insanity. And the sickness eventually results in death even for the most spiritually-minded, the best Christians, those who claim sinless perfection and those who claim perfect health from God alike. "It is appointed unto man once to die," and death proves that no man has yet lived (save Enoch and Elijah, who never died) who has attained either perfect health or perfect righteousness this side of the grave. So, although Christ "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses," and though Christ's death on the cross did surely guarantee for all who are born again by faith that one day our bodies as well as our natures will have perfect redemption, we do not yet possess all that is bought for us. Healing of the body may not instantly be claimed in every case, as forgiveness of sins may be instantly received always by penitent faith. We are told in Romans 8:18-23 that perfect healing, along with the resurrection of our glorified bodies, is in the atonement made by Christ. But that "adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body," certainly is now wholly ours until Jesus comes. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray?" |
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| PLAY | The Prayers a Man Says On his Feet are Just as Important as Those he Says on his Knees (Prayer Motivator Minute #115) | November 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:10 which says: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Charles Spurgeon. He said, "True prayer is measured by weight, not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length." |
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| PLAY | Is it God's Will to Heal Every Time?, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #173) | November 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:13 which reads: "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from George Mueller. He said: "It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly, continue in prayer until we obtain an answer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "IS IT GOD'S WILL TO HEAL EVERY TIME?" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Certainly it is not always God's will to heal. When God promised in Romans 8:28 that "all things work together for good to them that love God," He included sickness in His "all things." How much blessedness has come because of the sufferings of Christians! Stephen was martyred. If his bones could honor the Lord in being broken, could not ours, sometimes? If Timothy's weak stomach was not healed but needed careful moderation and use of fruit juice, why may not Christians today sometimes have weak stomachs to the glory of God? If Job suffered, if Paul suffered, if Timothy had often infirmities, if Trophimus and Epaphroditus could be sick to the glory of God, then sometimes that may be true of you too. It was for the glory of God that Lazarus was sick and died. Then it was to God's glory that he should be raised from the dead. But it was not to the glory of God for Lazarus to stay well, so again he died, as does everybody else, no matter how good he may be. Even King David said in Psalm 119:71, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Read the story of David Brainerd, the man of prayer, and see how earnest his prayer life, how strong his faith, how marvelous the answers God gave to his prayers, and then explain how he died of tuberculosis before he was thirty, perfectly content to go, assured that it was God's perfect will for him, the best promotion he could have! Sickness, like all the other things that follow a sinful race, can be used of God for His glory and for our preparation for His service and for Heaven. + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | If a Church Wants Better Leaders, it Only Needs to Pray for the Ones it Has (Prayer Motivator Minute #114) | November 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Daniel 9:8 which says: "O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes,
and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from The Kneeling Christian. It said "The secret of all failure is our failure in secret prayer." |
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| PLAY | Is it God's Will to Heal Every Time?, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #172) | November 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:3 which reads: "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from David Smithers. He said: "Where there is no vision of eternity, there is no prayer for the perishing." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled It Is Not Always God's Will to Heal from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Yes, healing is in the atonement, but it is never taught in the Bible that God intended Christians always to claim perfect health during this life. Many Bible cases make that clear. Again Dr. R.A. Torrey, in his little book on Divine Healing calls attention to the following instances in the Bible where people who were in the will of God were sick. 1. In I Kings 13:14 we read: "Elisha was fallen sick of the sickness whereof he died." And when you read the story you will see that Elisha was not out of communion with God, but rather was in the most intimate fellowship with God; and there on his dying bed he made remarkable prophecies as the mouthpiece of God, even while he was "sick of the sickness whereof he died." 2. In II Timothy 4:20 Paul says, "Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick." Here the godly Paul himself did not get Trophimus healed, and we have no indication that either Paul or Trophimus was to blame. 3. In Philippians 2:27 we read that Epaphroditus "was sick nigh unto death." And verse 30 in the same chapter tells us that it was because of his earnest love for Christ and devotion to his work that he 'came nigh unto death.' Epaphroditus wore himself out, nearly killed himself, in serving Christ. So sin was not to blame for his sickness and there was not a hint of that here. Besides these examples, there is the classic example of Paul the apostle who had a thorn in his flesh, and after he had thrice sought the Lord, still it was not removed. God did not remove Paul's thorn in the flesh, despite earnest and repeated prayers. Rather, He plainly revealed to Paul that that temptation, that "messenger of Satan" sent to buffet Paul, would be used of God to keep Paul humble, broken, and dependent on God. "My strength is made perfect in weakness," the Lord said to Paul. And noble Paul set a proper example for us all, when, instead of mourning and being downcast, immediately changed his prayer to fit with the revealed will of God, and said, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Paul saw that sometimes sickness is better than health, and that the best Christian is sometimes permitted to suffer in order that God can bestow His power upon him. + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Pray Daily, God is Easier to Talk to Than Most People (Prayer Motivator Minute #113) | November 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Acts 6:4 which says: "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "If the spiritual life be healthy, under the full power of the Holy Spirit, praying without ceasing will be natural." |
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| PLAY | Should We Claim Complete Healing Based on the Atonement of Jesus Christ?, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #171) | November 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Hebrews 4:6 which reads: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from S.D. Gordon. He said: "Prayer does not influence God. Prayer surely does influence God. It does not influence His purpose. It does influence His action." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the third and final part of our series titled "SHOULD WE CLAIM COMPLETE HEALING BASED ON THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST?" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... When one trusts in Christ for salvation, he is forgiven and saved, without any further struggle or seeking or agonizing. That is, he has the Holy Spirit come in to regenerate him and make him a child of God and the same Holy Spirit abides in his body as the firstfruits of salvation. The completion of his salvation will come when Jesus comes and when the resurrection of the Christian dead takes place, and the bodies of living saints are changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. Then, we will have "the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Freedom from all sin was purchased for us at Calvary, too. Absolute sinless perfection is in the atonement. But none of us has yet attained it. I John 1:8 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." But when Jesus comes, the sin question will be settled once and for all. Now we have forgiveness of sins. Then we will have complete eradication of sin. We have the firstfruits of salvation, but when Jesus comes, we get the completed salvation. So now we live in hope for that which we have not yet attained, the Scripture says, and we groan within ourselves, "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies." Then it is true that bodily healing is in the atonement, in the same sense that our resurrected bodies are provided for in the atonement. Christ Himself rose from the dead, and all of us who are His will likewise be raised from the dead by the same Spirit. And then, in our resurrected bodies, we will have received the adoption and redemption that is provided on Calvary. And then we will be done with all sin and will be perfect like Christ. + Plus, listen to Fred Hammond singing "I Feel Good" |
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| PLAY | Should We Claim Complete Healing Based on the Atonement of Jesus Christ?, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #170) | November 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 1:6-7 which reads: "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Watchman Nee. He said: "Our prayers lay the track down which God's power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "SHOULD WE CLAIM COMPLETE HEALING BASED ON THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST?" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... At the second coming of Christ, at the resurrection of the Christian dead, when our bodies are changed like unto Christ's glorious body, then we will inherit all that was bought for us on Calvary, but not before. Then we will have perfect health, perfect bodies, with all the mark and stain of sin gone, but not before. Then Christians will not wear glasses or walk with canes, nor be bald-headed, nor have dandruff, nor have halitosis, nor athlete's foot! These things are bought for us on Calvary, and are to be delivered when our salvation is complete. But no one will have perfect and permanent healing of all disease till then. I think we may safely say that all the people who were ever healed were only partly healed, except Enoch and Elijah who were translated and given glorified bodies at once. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but Lazarus died again. The "perfect soundness" of the poor lame man healed at the gate of the Temple, mentioned in Acts 3:16, was only a relative soundness. By human standards he was perfectly well, but by the standards of the angels who know no sickness nor disease, who never are tired or weak or sick, and who never die, his body was still imperfect and subject to the weight and wages of sin. People who think they are perfect still have the decay and weakening going on in their bodies that will lead them to death, sooner or later, unless the Savior comes speedily. There is susceptibility to disease and a tendency toward death in every living human being. So in some sense, healing, in this present age, is always relative. No living person has perfect health as the angels have, as Adam had in the Garden of Eden before he sinned. And that perfect health will be ours only when Jesus comes and changes our vile bodies like unto His glorious body. That is a plain statement of the Scriptures. Romans 8:18-23 says: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Here we learn that our salvation is largely in the future. We already have everlasting life and the Holy Spirit has been given to us. He, the Holy Spirit, is "the firstfruits" of salvation; but we are still waiting "for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." The redemption or salvation of the body was purchased on Calvary. Christ really did bear our infirmities and our sicknesses there. In that sense perfect healing is in the atonement, but it is a part of the same salvation which we get when we trust Christ. It is not a separate matter. + Plus, listen to Dani |
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| PLAY | Courage is Fear After Fear Has Prayed (Prayer Motivator Minute #112) | November 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 22:44-46 which says: "And being in an agony Jesus prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Thomas Hooker. He said, "Prayer is my chief work, and it is by means of it that I carry on the rest." |
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| PLAY | Don't Keep One Eye On the Tempation While Praying Not to be Led Into It (Prayer Motivator Minute #111) | November 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 118:5 which says: "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J.H. Jowett. He said, "I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach." |
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| PLAY | Should We Claim Complete Healing Based on the Atonement of Jesus Christ?, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #169) | November 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is I Timothy 2:8 which reads: "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Mary Warburton Booth. He said: "Depend upon it, if you are bent on prayer, the devil will not leave you alone. He will molest you, tantalize you, block you, and will surely find some hindrances, big or little or both. And we sometimes fail because we are ignorant of his devices…I do not think he minds our praying about things if we leave it at that. What he minds, and opposes steadily, is the prayer that prays on until it is prayed through, assured of the answer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of a new series titled "SHOULD WE CLAIM COMPLETE HEALING BASED ON THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST?" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... There has been much loose talk over the question of whether or not Christ purchased redemption and healing for our bodies in His death on the cross. And I am sorry to say that much of this loose talk has been done by otherwise sound, Christian men who were irritated with the Pentecostalists and others who claim that healing is in the atonement and that therefore every Christian ought at once to claim perfect healing on the basis of the atonement just as he takes salvation by faith all at once. In Matthew 8:16,17 is a clear Scripture on this question: "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." You might know that these verses include a reference to Isaiah 53:4, which says, "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows." It is remarkable that the New Testament translation, as given by the Holy Spirit, is even more emphatic than the Old Testament promise, that Christ carried our infirmities and our sicknesses. In the American Revised Version, Matthew 8:17 says of Jesus, "Himself took our infirmities and bare our diseases." And we remember that Isaiah 53:5 says, "And with his stripes we are healed." It is foolish to fight the plain teaching of these verses. Jesus Himself took our infirmities and bare our diseases. Dr. R.A. Torrey spoke of the saying that "physical healing is in the atonement" in his book, Divine Healing. He said, "I think that that is a fair inference from these verses when looked at in this context." And as the beloved S.D. Gordon, author of the "Quiet Talks" series of books, said, surely, every good thing we have comes, not as a result of our own merits but as a result of the merits of Jesus Christ, and is paid for on the cross. If a Christian comes to pray for healing in Jesus' name, he is praying properly. Surely it is not too much to say that every good thing God ever gives was purchased by Jesus Christ. But Dr. Torrey hastened, as I do, to call attention to the fact that we do not now receive all that is purchased for us. It is wonderful to be saved, and to have our sins forgiven, but every Christian ought to know that is only a part of his inheritance -- there is more coming later! + Plus, listen to Hillsong singing "Our Father" |
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| PLAY | No Matter Where We Are, Jesus is Only a Prayer Away (Prayer Motivator Minute #110) | November 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is I Samuel 12:23 which says: "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Chadwick. He said, "Prayer is the acid test of devotion. |
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| PLAY | The Prayer of Faith, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #168) | November 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is I Timothy 2:1-4 which reads: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: "Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the fourth and final part of our series titled "THE PRAYER OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Now faith is a gift of God. Romans 12:6 says, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith." And I Corinthians 12:8 & 9 says, "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit." The Holy Spirit gives faith. When God's Word has a plain promise to us, it would be sin not to believe the promise and trust God. For example, every lost person can instantly trust Christ and be saved. But we must depend upon the Holy Spirit to show us the will of God about an individual promise not covered by a great and general promise in the Bible. If God's Holy Spirit gives us faith for healing, then our prayer for healing will be answered. But if it is not God's will to heal, and if God's Holy Spirit does not give us any assurance that it is the will of God, then all of our will power will not create faith. Where God gives faith, God does the healing. Where God is not pleased to heal in a particular case, He will not give faith for healing. Faith is not an emotion but a resting upon the revealed will of God, whether that will of God is revealed in His Word or by revelation of the Spirit. Sometimes people say they have faith when they are depending upon the word of the preacher. Sometimes people say they have faith when, like Christian Scientists or mind healers, they have said over and over to themselves that they are well, or that they are getting better every day, etc., until they almost make themselves believe it. But mental suggestion, hypnotism and psychology are entirely different from faith in God. When we know that we are asking according to the will of God as revealed in His Word, and the Holy Spirit makes us sure that it is His will to do the thing we ask, then we have God-given faith. And in such cases we can claim the answer and expect it. "The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." |
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| PLAY | If You Worry, You Didn't Pray. If You Pray, You Shouldn't Worry (Prayer Motivator Minute #109) | November 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Proverbs 28:9 which says: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer of Faith, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #167) | November 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is I Thessalonians 5:17 which reads: "Pray without ceasing."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Edward Payson. He said: "Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a minister. Pray, then my dear brother; pray, pray, pray!" Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "THE PRAYER OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Modern evangelists who have so-called "divine healing services" and say that it is always God's will to heal the sick, often lay blame for their failures on those who come to be healed. A poor sick person comes to be prayed for, the evangelist announces that it is God's will to heal this person and to restore him to perfect health, always, and then when this disappointed sick person is not healed, the evangelist takes no responsibility and says that the sick person simply didn't have faith in God or that some other sin was in the way. But note here that it is the faith of those who do the praying that settles the matter! The Bible says, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." If the professional divine healers, who go about teaching that it is God's will to heal every sick Christian, are right, then these divine healers must be great rascals, for they do not pray the prayer of faith in such a multitude of cases, and the sick person is not healed. And in every case they are to blame, if it is really true that it is God's will to heal every sick person. No, it is not always God's will to heal the sick; but when the elders are called on to pray, then it is their faith that will guarantee the healing of the sick. Of course, individual Christians must pray for themselves, and it may be that both the sick person and his friends alike join in prayer and join in faith. |
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| PLAY | When Praying to God, Don't Give God Instructions -- Just Report for Duty and Ask God 'What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?' (Prayer Motivator Minute #108) | November 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:8 which says: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Chrysostom. He said, "Prayer is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer of Faith, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #166) | November 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Colossians 4:2 which reads: "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Paul E. Billheimer. He said: "Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "THE PRAYER OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice begins by quoting Dr. R.A. Torrey, who said: The Holy Spirit is the One who does the healing, if it really is divine healing. In Romans 8:11 we read, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies thru his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Now, as the text itself and the context clearly prove, that verse refers to the future resurrection of our body by the Holy Spirit, and not to our present healing, but, nevertheless, it shows the quickening; that is, life giving, power of the Holy Spirit in our physical bodies." Dr. Rice continues with: Now this passage in James says in verse 13, "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray." There is prayer for the sick without anointing with oil. And again in verse 16, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." There is mutual prayer of Christians for one another, without anointing of oil; yet it is prayer for healing. But verse 14 suggests, "Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." The anointing with oil is proper under some circumstances; but it is not the oil that heals. Neither is the oil essential. It is the prayer of faith that saves. The twelve disciples sometimes anointed with oil. In Mark 6:13 we are told, "And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." However, in many, many other cases of healing in the New Testament there is no mention of healing with oil. Anointing with oil is sometimes a help to our faith. It reminds us that the Spirit of God dwells in the body of the sick Christian. Thus, to do just what the Scripture suggests by anointing the sick with oil, we are encouraged to expect His blessing; and we make it more real to ourselves that God has invited us to pray for the healing of the sick. But whether we use oil or not, it is the prayer of faith that saves the sick. In the Bible there is no mention of anybody's anointing with oil except elders of the churches. But any Christian has a right to pray for his own healing or for the healing of a friend or loved one. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | The Prayer of Faith, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #165) | October 31, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:6 which reads: "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Tony Evans. He said: "A lot of Christians are trying to operate their spiritual lives the way I drive my car. They are running on fumes — trying to get somewhere for the Lord without using the fuel that provides the spark that energizes the power of God resident within us through the Holy Spirit." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of our series titled "THE PRAYER OF FAITH" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Let us make sure that we understand God's condition of healing. He says, "The prayer of faith shall save the sick." Dr. R.A. Torrey in his book, Divine Healing, calls attention to the fact that it is not attending three days in a certain kind of public service, nor saying over and over to one's self a certain formula; but it is the prayer of faith that saves the sick. In Dr. Torrey's words, "not intense carnal excitement temporarily galvanize him into brief activities, from which there is an appaling reaction, often leaving the poor victim of the religious charlatan worse than ever, and not infrequently sending him to the insane asylum or the cemetery. For instance, the oil does not heal. The oil mentioned in the Bible was not medicine. Dr. W.B. Riley said, "The 'oil' here is the symbol of the Holy Ghost, and is applied as such. It is hardly medicinal, for if God is any sort of physician, He is not a quack who would prescribe oil for all diseases." In Bible times, kings, high priests, and prophets were anointed with oil, setting them apart, or sanctifying them to a special work for God. Leviticus 8:10-12 shows that the Tabernacle, the altar, the vessels and the laver and its base were all anointed, "to sanctify them," and that Aaron was anointed "to sanctify him." Any man who is to serve God acceptably must serve in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the oil is a symbol of this Holy Spirit. And every saved person has the Holy Spirit abiding in his body. And every Christian, if he wants healing, should recognize that the Holy Spirit has a right to take charge and use this body as one dedicated wholly to God. To anoint one with oil for healing would simply mean that the one anointed is dedicated to God and that we trust the Holy Spirit of God to heal the body, if it be God's will. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Through Prayer, Finite Man Taps the Power of the Infinite God (Prayer Motivator Minute #107) | October 31, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 102:2 which says: "Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon. He said, "Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces." |
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| PLAY | God Rules the World by the Prayers of his Saints (Prayer Motivator Minute #106) | October 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:36 which says: "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Frank Laubach. He said, "The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says ‘Amen’ and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him our ideas." |
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| PLAY | Prayer for the Sick is Appropriate for Today as it Was In Biblical Times, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #164) | October 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Ephesians 6:18 which reads: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Samuel Chadwick He said: "There is no power like that of prevailing prayer, of Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat of blood. Add to this list from the records of the church your personal observation and experience, and always there is the cost of passion unto blood. Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "PRAYER FOR THE SICK IS APPROPRIATE FOR TODAY AS IT WAS IN BIBLICAL TIMES" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Some ultra-dispensationalists say that the book of James was primarily to Jewish believers and not to Gentile Christians. Even the Scofield Reference Bible has a subhead before Hebrews, James, I and II Peter and Jude, calling them "the Jewish-Christian Epistles," as if they were essentially different from the rest of the New Testament. But this is not true. It is true that James addresses his epistle "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad." But that was when the only Christians scattered abroad were Jewish Christians. James was probably the first epistle written in the New Testament and was written to all those who were Christians. But it is also true that the book of Galatians was addressed "unto the churches of Galatia," and that Romans was addressed "to all that be at Rome." And no one doubts that they are messages for us, the spiritual successors of the Christians in that day. But fortunately we do not have to guess as to whom the Holy Spirit meant to address in these writings. Notice in James 5:14 that it is elders who are to be called to pray, not a rabbi; elders of the church, and not rulers of the synagogue. This is a message to Christians in churches, and not to Jews in synagogues. And notice particularly James 5:3, "Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." James, chapter 5, is fitting for the last days. Verse 7 says, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord," This epistle of James, the last chapter particularly, is fitted for the days just preceding the Lord's return. Again in verse 8 we are told, "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." And again, verse 9 in this same fifth chapter of James says, "Behold, the judge standeth before the door." So in this chapter, at least four times, the last days and the second coming of Christ are mentioned. It could not be clearer than it is, that the Lord meant these blessed commands and promises about praying for the healing of the sick to be claimed in these last days, when the coming of the Lord draws nigh, and when the Judge stands at the door. Do not let anyone take away from you the book of James --- it belongs to Christians of this age. + Plus, listen to Jessy Dixon singing "I Know What Prayer Can Do" |
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| PLAY | Prayer for the Sick is Appropriate for Today as it Was In Biblical Times, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #163) | October 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 4:1 which reads: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Robert Murray M'Cheyne. He said, "I ought to pray before seeing anyone…Christ arose before day and went into a solitary place. David says: ‘Early will I seek thee’…I feel it is far better to begin with God—to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of our series titled "PRAYER FOR THE SICK IS APPROPRIATE FOR TODAY AS IT WAS IN BIBLICAL TIMES" from Dr. John R. Rice. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray" |
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| PLAY | Frequent Prayers Lessen Daily Cares (Prayer Motivator Minute #105) | October 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:14 which says: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.'" |
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| PLAY | Encouragement to Pray for Your Healing and for the Healing of Others, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #162) | October 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Corinthians 14:15 which reads: "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from S.D. Gordon. He said: "Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty; stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit." Our prayer motivator devotional today is our 5th and final in our series titled "ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY FOR YOUR HEALING AND FOR THE HEALING OF OTHERS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Once in a church prayer meeting, in Dallas, Texas, we had many testimonies of remarkable answers to prayer for healing of the body. Some had been healed after spending hundreds of dollars on hospital and doctor bills and after long weeks of suffering. Some had been healed who had been given up by good doctors to die. The testimonies were blessed. At the close of the testimony meeting, a dear old Christian lady rose and said, "Brother Rice, if the time ever comes when I am sick and the doctors can't help me, and when medicine doesn't do any good, I'm going to call on you and this church to pray for me!" How like the rest of us that is! We call on God when other things have failed. How glad He would be if we called on Him first; then, as He directs, we can use medicine and doctors as He leads, and give God the glory when He heals. Or if He gives faith for healing without doctors and medicine, we can take the blessing He gives and thank Him for it. Christians ought to look first to God in every trouble and in every need. So when we Christians are sick, we should pray, and others should pray for us. No doubt there are many Christians who are sick who ought to be well, and would be if they came in Jesus' name to God in prayer according to the scriptural plan. It is not always God's will to heal the sick, we know; but usually it is His blessed will, and certainly always we should pray. In those cases where it is not God's will to heal the sick, He will make His will known to humble and surrendered hearts. Meantime, whenever we are sick, let us pray. |
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| PLAY | When You Pray and Aim at Nothing, Nothing is What You Will Get | October 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 86:7 which says: "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack.'" | ||
| PLAY | God Tells Us to Burden Him with Whatever Burdens Us (Prayer Motivator Minute #103) | October 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 119:145 which says: "I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross. He said, "There is no other activity in life so important as that of prayer. Every other activity depends upon prayer for its best efficiency.'" |
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| PLAY | Encouragement to Pray for Your Healing and for the Healing of Others, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #161) | October 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Romans 8:26 which reads: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Time spent in prayer will yield more than that given to work. Prayer alone gives work its worth and its success. Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God's messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our series titled "ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY FOR YOUR HEALING AND FOR THE HEALING OF OTHERS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Christians ought to pray alone when they are sick. Or Christians ought to call for their pastors or for church officials to pray. It is perfectly legitimate to have prayer in public services, just so it is sincere prayer, God-honoring prayer, and not a racket and not connected with false doctrine. And Christians ought to pray privately one for another, confessing their faults one to another. Sickness is a proper subject for prayer. Dr. Rice continues, Years ago I was troubled with tonsillitis. Every winter I had a wretched time with a sore throat and fever. One can feel so much like dying with tonsillitis and not be very sick! The family doctor insisted that I should have my tonsils removed. At last, reluctantly, I consented. A certain day was set for the operation. That morning in my devotional reading I read 2 Chronicles 16. How startled I was to read in verses 12 and 13, "And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign." I was not ready to 'sleep with my fathers,' so I decided I should seek God before the physicians. Immediately I told my wife that I had sinned in settling any matter about my health without a season of prayer. I postponed the tonsillectomy, went to the Lord in earnest prayer for my throat. Soon thereafter I had occasion to talk to a doctor who was an earnest Christian. He said to me that if I would take his counsel, I would never need to have my tonsils removed. He gave me a diet list; I left off fried foods, fats and sweets and began to use more fruit juices and eat more green vegetables. I have never had tonsillitis from that day to this! How often we commit the sin of Asa who "in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians." That does not mean that Asa sinned in having physicians. It means that he sinned in not looking first to the Lord, and in that he was trusting men instead of God. The Bible never indicates that it is wrong, under certain circumstances, to use doctors and medicine. But always, we may be sure, it grieves God when His children think first about human help and human remedies. The very first thing anybody ought to do about sickness is pray! + Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing "What if His People Prayed" |
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| PLAY | Christians Need to Pray Two Prayers: "Lord, Give Me Light" and "Give Me Grace to Walk in the Light" (Prayer Motivator Minute #102) | October 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 18:3 which says: "I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "A life growing in its purity and devotion will be a more prayerful life.'" |
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| PLAY | Encouragement to Pray for Your Healing and for the Healing of Others, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #160) | October 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 18:1 which reads: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Laidlaw. He said: "The main lesson about prayer is just this: Do it! Do it! Do it! You want to be taught to pray. My answer is pray and never faint, and then you shall never fail." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY FOR YOUR HEALING AND FOR THE HEALING OF OTHERS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Sickness is evidently the attack of Satan. Job's sickness was brought on by the direct attack of Satan. Jesus healed one woman whom, He said, "Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years." And then of Paul's thorn in the flesh, we are told it was a "messenger of Satan". Sickness and disease come from Satan. God permits them as He permits sin and permits certain results of sin. And often God overrules sickness to His own glory. But generally, it is proper to say that sickness is from Satan. And thus, may not God's own children call on their Heavenly Father to help them in the attack of Satan on their bodies? Surely, the very nature of sickness means that we ought to pray about it and have a perfect right to pray about the healing of our bodies. And even better is the sweet thought that God is our Heavenly Father. He has an infinite compassion for us. As Jesus Himself went about doing good and was moved with compassion by the sickness and the sorrows of the people, so He has compassion upon us now, and our dear Heavenly Father has loving compassion upon His children. Psalm 103:13 tells us, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." If there were not a line in the Bible upon which to base our hope except this --- that God is our Heavenly Father and we are His dear children, redeemed at infinite cost --- then surely that alone would give us a right to look up in His face and tell Him of our woes and ask Him for help in our sufferings and sicknesses. Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" The relief from pain, the healing of disease, the strength for our daily tasks --- surely in many, many cases at least, these are good things for which we have a right to ask our Heavenly Father. His love and compassion are enough to guarantee that He is concerned about our sickness. Sickness is a proper subject for prayer. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | How Rare it is to Find a Person Quiet Enough to Hear God Speak (Prayer Motivator Minute #101) | October 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jeremiah 29:13 which says: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is regarding George Muller. It goes like this, "When asked how much time he spent in prayer, George Muller's reply was, ‘Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk and when I lie down and when I arise. And the answers are always coming.'" |
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| PLAY | Encouragement to Pray for Your Healing and for the Healing of Others, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #159) | October 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 14:13-14 which reads: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: "Prayer is the greatest of all forces, because it honors God and brings him into active aid." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our series titled "ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY FOR YOUR HEALING AND FOR THE HEALING OF OTHERS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... In James 5:13 we are given the plain instruction, "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray." Or the Revised Version puts it, "Is any among you suffering? let him pray." So people are to pray for themselves when they suffer. And then verses 14 and 15 continue, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him...And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." Clearly, sickness should be an occasion for prayer. We are commanded to pray when we suffer ourselves, and the elders of the church are to be called officially, too, to pray for the sick. Then in James 5:16 we are told, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." Though the sick may pray for themselves, it is proper for the elders of the church to pray also, and individual Christians are to confess their sins one to the other and to pray one for the other, in order that they may be healed. If there were no particular and specific command, like this, to pray for healing of the sick, yet many other passages of Scripture authorize us to pray for anything we want or need. For instance, in Mark 11:24 Jesus said, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them; and ye shall have them." That "what things soever" would certainly include the healing of our sick bodies. And again in John 14:14 Jesus promised, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." That word "anything" certainly would cover healing of the body. And Philippians 4:6 commands us, "...in every thing by prayer...let your requests be made known unto God." If there were not a single specific promise in the Bible which mentioned healing of the sick in answer to prayer, yet any believing Christian would have a right to call on his Heavenly Father for healing in the light of these general promises clearly meant to cover every need of a Christian. + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "CIty On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Encouragement to Pray for Your Healing and for the Healing of Others (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #158) | October 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 11:1 which reads: "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Sidlow Baxter. He said: "Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled "ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAY FOR YOUR HEALING AND FOR THE HEALING OF OTHERS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... James 5:13-16 reads: "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." How many times our Saviour, in His brief earthly ministry, heard the cry of the sick for healing! And how willingly the Saviour answered their prayers and healed the sick. The leper said, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." The centurion at Capernaum said, "Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented." A certain ruler worshiped Jesus saying, "My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live." A woman diseased with an issue of blood twelve years came behind Jesus, touched the hem of His garment, and yet there was a prayer in her timid heart. Two blind men followed Jesus, crying and saying, "Thou son of David, have mercy on us." The Syrophenician woman, "a woman of Canaan," cried to Jesus saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." When Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, there came a certain man kneeling down to Him and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him." As Jesus departed from Jericho once, two blind men sitting by the wayside heard that Jesus passed by and cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David." All these, and many other cases recorded in the Gospels, were prayers for healing; and Jesus answered these, every one! On a number of occasions, multitudes brought their sick people to Jesus for Him to heal them. If the personal ministry of Jesus shows anything about His tender heart, then He loves to heal the sick, He is glad to hear prayers for healing. + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | Stay On Your Knees Before God and On Your Feet Before Men (Prayer Motivator Minute #100) | October 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 1:6 which says: "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross. He said, "The man on his knees has a leverage underneath the mountain which can cast it into the sea, if necessary, and can force all earth and heaven to recognize the power there is in 'His name.'" |
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| PLAY | It is Strange That in Prayer We Often Ask for a Change in Circumstance Rather Than in Our Character (Prayer Motivator Minute #99) | October 19, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 21:22 which says: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "We can do nothing without prayer. All things can be done by importunate prayer. That is the teaching of Jesus Christ." |
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| PLAY | Asking for the Power of the Holy Spirit, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #157) | October 19, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 2 Chronicles 7:15 which reads: "Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Many Christians backslide...They are unable to stand against the temptations of the world, or of their old nature. They strive to do their best to fight against sin, and to serve God, but they have no strength. They have never really grasped the secret: The Lord Jesus will every day from heaven continue His work in me. But on one condition—the soul must give Him time each day to impart His love and his grace. Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indispensable condition of growth and power." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our current series titled "ASKING FOR THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Luke 11:13 reads, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Those who think this part of the Bible is out of date should remember that the book of Luke was not written until long after Pentecost. Why should the Holy Spirit ever have inspired it, and why should God have written down this sweet promise, that men who ask for the Holy Spirit could have Him to make them soul winners, if the promise were already out of date before it was written down? Beware lest Satan steal away the riches of the Bible from you by having men tell you that part of the Bible is out of date and was not meant for you. God is still eager to have bread taken to sinners. Friends in their journey through life come to you and you have nothing to set before them. But God has bread enough for all and He will give it if you knock at His door with importunity. There is a way to power, to fruit-bearing. You, too, may enter with Moses and Paul into the travail of soul that Christ had for sinners. You too may enter into the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit in saving sinners. But it is not a light and frivolous matter. It is not gained by flippant or half-hearted praying. Some ministers have a way of saying to people who seek for the power of the Holy Spirit that they should simply go home and believe that they have the power, that already they have the Holy Spirit and they have all thy need. Well, suppose that the neighbor at midnight would say to the man who was outside pounding upon his door, "Go on home and believe that you have bread for your friend that has none, and it will be all right." Well, that is not what the friend who had the bread said to the neighbor. And if the neighbor had acted on such advice, he would have gone home without the bread, however hard he tried to believe it was in his hands. The power of the Holy Spirit is real and definite and we may know whether or not the breath of God is on us to win sinners. We may know whether or not we have bread for sinners. And we may have the bread if we mean business, but I want you to know there is a price to pay. You may have the bread if you are willing to knock at the door and wait before God until He gives you as many loaves as you need. And while you pray and wait, God will search out your heart, will show what displeases Him, will bring you to confession and forsaking of sin, and will help you count the heavy cost. Whatever needs fixing, God can fix it in your life and heart as you wait and plead for bread for sinners --- that is, for the power of the Holy Spirit to win sinners. + Plus, listen to Andre Crouch singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | Asking for the Power of the Holy Spirit, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #156) | October 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Zechariah 4:6 which reads: "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from R.A. Torrey. He said: "We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 1 of our current series titled "ASKING FOR POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Luke 11:13 reads, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Strangely, Jesus did not put in exact words until the very close of this lesson on advanced praying, that He was teaching the disciples to pray for the Holy Spirit! How many preachers and teachers hate the idea of praying for the Holy Spirit! They are willing to pray for revivals, pray for the conviction of sinners, pray for power on their preaching, pray for divine wisdom in their messages, yet they fear to pray for the Holy Spirit Himself, who really brings revivals, who convicts sinners and converts them, who gives wisdom, power and leadership to the man of God! When we pray for bread for sinners, we really mean that we need the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit of God to come upon us and enable us to do what otherwise we could not do. We want the Holy Spirit of God to make us fruitful soul winners. The Scofield Reference Bible is a good reference Bible, but some of the footnotes are not correct. And in the footnotes on this particular Scripture, the editors make a bad mistake. Dr. Scofield says: "To go back to the promise of Luke 11:13 is to forget Pentecost, and to ignore the truth that now every believer has the indwelling Spirit." To be sure, every believer now has the indwelling Spirit, but Jesus is not here teaching the disciples to pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Rather, He is teaching them to pray for the soul-winning power of the Spirit. Surely neither Dr. Scofield nor any informed man would say that every Christian has the soul-winning power of the Spirit. And that is what Jesus here urges us to pray for. We are to pray with holy begging, with urgent pleading, that the Holy Spirit of God will help us carry the bread of life to sinners. There can be no other meaning to the teaching of Jesus here. The disciples were never taught to pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and if they had prayed for His indwelling, their prayer would NOT have been answered. For Jesus had plainly stated in John 7:37-39 that the Holy Ghost would not be given in the sense of making His headquarters in the Christian's body until Christ should be glorified, that is, raised from the dead. Any praying for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit could never be answered before Jesus rose from the dead and breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." And after that time it would not do any good to pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, for every saved soul has the Holy Spirit dwelling within him. No, Jesus meant that Christians should pray for the Holy Spirit to anoint us or fill us or empower us, to make us soul winners; that the Holy Spirit of God would enable us to carry the bread of life to sinners. And that is the only way soul winners are made. Do not let anybody steal this precious verse away from you. God still gives the Holy Spirit in soul-winning power to those who ask Him importunately and will not take "No" for an answer. + Plus, listen to The City Harmonic singing "Manifesto" |
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| PLAY | It May Be Difficult to Wait on the Lord, but it's Worse to Wish You Had (Prayer Motivator Minute #98) | October 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Acts 9:11 which says: "And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." |
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| PLAY | The Best Way to Bring People to God is to Bring Them to God in Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #97) | October 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 2 Chronicles 30:27 which says: "Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth." |
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| PLAY | Don't Be Afraid To Ask God for What You Need or What You Want (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #155) | October 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 11:24 which reads: "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things ‘above all that we ask or think.’ Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled "DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK - GOD WILL NOT GIVE BAD GIFTS" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... It is sad that fanatics have taken all the blessing out of many Scriptures for Christians. Some people have so grievously erred in regard to the power of the Holy Spirit that many, many Christians fear to ask for His presence and power. Many earnest preachers and teachers fear to speak upon certain passages of Scripture lest they be misunderstood and accused of teaching fanaticism, a jabber in unknown tongues, a false claim of sinless perfection, etc. But Christ knew the doubts that would arise in people's hearts when He gave this lesson on prayer, and He answered your doubts. Dear friend, you need not fear to ask for bread for sinners. Christ will not give you an evil spirit nor an unholy jabber nor a false testimony. Christ will not turn you over to folly. You may ask, unafraid, knowing that when you ask for bread you will get bread and not a stone, or you will get fish and not a serpent, and you will get an egg and not a scorpion. Hear again these tender assurances of the Saviour in Luke 11:11-13: "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" You love your child. If he asks for bread, you would not give him a stone. And all the more if he, with a compassionate heart, asked bread for another that you loved dearly and wanted to see fed, you would not give him a stone. You, weak and ignorant and sinful as you are, would not betray the confidence of your child. You would not give a poisonous snake instead of fish, nor a scorpion nor stinging lizard to the little fellow who confidently pled for an egg. So then Jesus reminds us, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" We may feel perfectly safe to wait on God. Do not be discouraged. Do not listen to the taunts of those who say it is unnecssary, but ask and receive the power of the Holy Spirit. + Plus, listen to Daniel White Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | A Person Who Takes Time for Prayer Will Find Time for All the Other Things Needing his Attention (Prayer Motivator Minute #96) | October 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 2 Chronicles 32:20 which says: "And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C. H. Spurgeon. He said, "Prayer can never be in excess." |
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| PLAY | If You're Praying in the Will of God and it Seems as though He is Saying "NO", He Really Wants You to Keep On Praying and Seeking Him - Pray Through, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #154) | October 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7-8 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Martin Luther King, Jr. He said: "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the second and final part of our series titled "If You're Praying In the Will of God and It Seems as though He Is Saying "NO", He Really Wants You to Keep On Praying and Seeking Him - Pray Through" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... I tell you that the Lord Jesus does not always mean "no" when He seems to say "no"! And when you asked for power, asked for bread for sinners, God did not mean you could not have it when the answer was delayed. He did not mean that there was not bread enough and to spare for all. He simply meant that He wanted you to wait and mean business. He wanted you to "pray through." As certain as the Bible is true, there is power for those who seek it with all their hearts. O Lord Jesus, teach us to pray, to pray the importunate prayer so that we may have bread for sinners, as many loaves as we need! Notice carefully Luke 11, verses 9 and 10: "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." I think it would be more accurate if we should translate these verses, "I say unto you, Keep on asking and it shall be given to you; keep on knocking, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that keeps on asking receives; and to him that keeps on knocking it shall be opened." The form of the language in the Greek involves a continued asking, seeking, and knocking. God gives blessed assurance here that everyone who really keeps on asking receives, and everyone who really keeps on seeking finds, and everyone who keeps on knocking at the door of God for bread for sinners will have the door opened and bread given. Yea, as many loaves as he needs for the sinner God sends to him. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | God Has a Solution Planned Before We Even Know We Have a Problem (Prayer Motivator Minute #95) | October 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 27:8 which says: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Gossner. He said, "Prayer is a spiritual law which cooperates with the mind of God. It has more in it than merely petition. It clothes itself in reality and power, with the force of God Himself. It is an attitude of spirit and mind. Language is secondary in true prayer." |
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| PLAY | If You're Praying in the Will of God and it Seems as though He is Saying "NO", He Really Wants You to Keep On Praying and Seeking Him - Pray Through, Part 1 | October 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 11:24 which reads: "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from A.T. Pierson. He said: "Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God’s presence. It is vain to say, ‘I have too much work to do to find time to pray.’ You must find time to pray or forfeit blessing. God knows how to save for you the time you sacredly keep for communion with Him." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the first part of a two-part series entitled If You're Praying In the Will of God and It Seems as though He Is Saying "NO", He Really Wants You to Keep On Praying and Seeking Him - Pray Through from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Here is encouragement for every child of God who has longed to win souls but never has. God has sent someone your way for you to win to Christ. A friend in his journey has come to you and you have had nothing to set before him. And when you asked God, He seemed to say "No." He seemed to disregard your prayer. You never received the power you requested and you never bore fruit as you longed to do. But you can! God did not mean "no" when He said "no." He simply meant for you to keep on asking and praying for you to refuse to be denied. How eagerly God waits for His people to pray! Importunate praying, insistent praying can change even the plan of God. How gladly He will give bread to those who wait before Him with importunity, just as the man pictured in Luke 11:5-8 rose and gave his neighbor as many loaves as he needed, not because he was his friend but because of his importunity. In Matthew 15:21-28 we have a blessed example of the fact that God does not always mean "no" when He seems to say "no." A Canaanite woman came to Jesus crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." But Jesus "answered her not a word." Finally Jesus "answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Was she discouraged? Did she quit praying? No. "Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me." Again Jesus discouraged her, saying, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs." But see this woman's faith as she says," Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." If she was a dog, then she insisted she was Jesus' dog. How Jesus exulted! "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt!" And she went home and found her daughter well from that very hour! Preachers have a way of sometimes getting the letter and not the spirit. No doubt the disciples hung about greatly bored. It seemed Jesus had insulted the woman to deliberately send her away. If they believed simply the outward indication of His language, they had a right to think that Jesus cared nothing for Gentiles, that to Him they were only dogs and that He would do nothing at all for this heathen woman who cried after Him. But the woman did not listen to the letter of the words of Jesus. If He seemed not to care, her faith cried out that she knew He did care, that He did love her, that He did love her daughter!. If He seemed to send her away, yet she believed that He came to save, and to save Gentiles as well as Jews. By faith she trusted in the goodness of His heart and was not discouraged by His words. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray?" |
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| PLAY | The Power of Importunity or "Praying Through" for Others and Yourself, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #152) | October 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 5:43-44 which reads: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Calvin. He said: "Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the third part of our series titled, THE POWER OF IMPORTUNITY OR "PRAYING THROUGH" FOR OTHERS AND YOURSELF from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Before Pentecost, 120 gathered in the Upper Room. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brethren" (Acts 1:14). There was intercession, there was begging, supplication and waiting before the power of the Holy Ghost came upon them at Pentecost. When Paul was saved on the road to Damascus, he was three days and three nights without food. And the angel of God brought the word to Ananias, "Behold he prayeth." For three days and nights after his conversion Paul fasted and prayed. What for? Evidently for bread to give to sinners and for the soul-winning power of the Holy Spirit. For when Ananias came to him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 9:17). Paul got salvation for himself instantly when he surrendered to Christ. He got power to witness to others and get others saved only after heart-breaking periods of fasting and prayer. Again the one word "importunity" spelled the way to have bread for others. D.L. Moody prayed for two long years, beseeching God to pour upon him the power of the Holy Spirit. Ever since two godly women had called his attention to his need for the power of the Holy Ghost upon his ministry, he had earnestly sought this blessing. It did not come until one day as he walked down Wall Street in New York City after a long, long period of waiting on God. In the case of Cornelius, as in the case of Charles G. Finney, the time of waiting and pleading came before salvation. There are many issues to explain here, but certainly it is true that in this college course on prayer, this lesson in advanced praying, intercessory praying, unselfish praying, Jesus means to teach us that importunity is the way to power. God does not give the power of the Holy Spirit simply because we are friends of God, but because we wait before Him until we are fitted to receive His blessing. How foolish we should be to expect the marvelous power of the Holy Spirit of God to be given us freely, without any confession of sin, without any weighing of motives, without any pleading with tears, and without transformation of life as we wait before God. Certainly very few people carry bread to sinners because they are not willing to wait and knock at the door and rattle the doorknob persistently and incessantly until the Friend within will arise and give them as many loaves as they need because of their importunity. May God teach us to pray, teach us to pray importunate prayers that will not be denied, that we may have bread for sinners. + Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing "What if His People Prayed" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Will Loosen Many a Knot that My Own Hands Cannot Untie (Prayer Motivator Minute #94) | October 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 7:7 which says: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,"
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Bunyan. He said, "He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day." |
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| PLAY | Pray and Hustle (Prayer Motivator Minute #93) | October 11, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 3:21-22 which says: "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martin Luther. He said, "Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness." |
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| PLAY | The Power of Importunity or "Praying Through" for Others and Yourself, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #151) | October 11, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is I Samuel 3:10 which reads: "And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Matthew Henry. He said: "You may as soon find a living man that does not breath, as a living Christian that does not pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part two of our current series entitled The Power of Importunity or "Praying Through" for Others and Yourself from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Let us begin by looking again at our passage in Luke 11: "I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." What is the most important word in that verse? If you said "importunity", then you are right. God does not give soul-winning power to people simply because they are friends of Christ. You say because you are saved, that gives you the right to come and say, "Our Father who art in Heaven" and to ask for daily bread and forgiveness of sins, and guidance, and deliverance from the Evil One. But here in this lesson on intercessory prayer, Jesus tells us that the friend will not rise and give to his neighbor the bread that he needs because he is his friend. Friendship is not enough in that case. But because of his importunity, his pleading, his insistence, his begging, "he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." Certainly, God means for us to get this lesson: There are some blessings that a Christian will never have without pleading, importunate waiting on God! Those who want soul-winning power, those who want to be able to carry the bread of life to sinners must learn the secret of praying though! I believe that in asking for many things it is wrong not to expect the blessing at once. For instance, God is ready to save instantly any sinner who will call upon Him for mercy and trust Him for salvation. A sinner can trust Christ immediately and be saved. I do not believe there needs to be a long period of waiting, or mourning, or seeking God, when a sinner is willing to trust Jesus Christ. For that reason, I do not believe in using what is generally called a "mourner's bench," preferring for sinners to come with deep earnestness. I believe it profitable to have a place to teach sinners what the Word of God says about salvation, and I think it well even to have sinners pray and ask God for forgiveness. But I do not want to leave the impression that God is hardhearted or indifferent about saving a soul or must be begged into it. God is able and willing to save instantly everyone who comes to Him for salvation. I think that many ordinary affairs ought to be easily settled between the Christian and God. A Christian ought not have to pray long for daily bread when he asks for it in the will of Christ and in simple faith. I believe it does not take a Christian long to get his sins forgiven when he is willing to forgive others and honestly confesses his own sins. Surely one needs no long period of waiting before God is willing to forgive His own penitent child and to cleanse him from unrighteousness. Some things a Christian can get from God the moment he is willing to come God's way with all of his heart and trust Christ for it. But here, Jesus plainly teaches that importunity is God's way of getting soul-winning power. Now, on tomorrow's broadcast, Lord willing, we will discuss several examples that will show how people were importunate in their prayers, and how they received soul-winning power from God. + Plus, listen to Daniel Whyte Jr. singing "Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Most People Have Too Little Prayer and Too Much Propaganda (Prayer Motivator Minute #92) | October 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 John 5:14 which says: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.J. Gordon. He said, "You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed." |
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| PLAY | The Power of Importunity or "Praying Through" for Others and Yourself, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #150) | October 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Proverbs 15:8 which reads: "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from M. E. Andross. He said: "If the Christian does not allow prayer to drive sin out of his life, sin will drive prayer out of his life. Like light and darkness, the two cannot dwell together." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the part one of a new series entitled How to Engage in Persistent Prayer for Sinners from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Let us read together Luke 11:5-8: "And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." In the parable which Jesus gave us, teaching us to pray, the man came to his friend at midnight to beg of him, "Friend, lend me three loaves." It was at midnight. That would seem to indicate unusual urgency. Blessed is the Christian who is willing to break up the ordinary routine of his life for prayer and soul winning. I dare say that God never specially blesses with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in soul-winning power upon a Christian who is not willing to take extraordinary measures to receive it. The friend came at midnight and pounded upon the door and woke up his neighbor, saying, "Friend, lend me three loaves." And so many of you came to God, too. You have prayed that God would save your husband, or you have been prayed that God would save your son, or your neighbor. You prayed that God would make you a soul winner. Surely, you thought, that kind of prayer is according to the will of God. Yet, if you tell the truth, many of you will have to admit that God did not answer it. You asked for power but did not receive it. You asked God to help you win some loved one that He put in your home or that He had caused to cross your path, yet God did not give you that bread for sinners. Isn't that true? Here Christ is teaching us to pray. He teaches us to come to the Father, to one who has plenty of bread, and ask Him for bread for sinners. Well, since He teaches us to pray such a prayer, does He teach us to expect an answer? Does every one who asks for the bread for sinners get it? Let's read again what the Lord Jesus said about this kind of praying for soul-winning power, praying for bread to give to sinners: "And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee." Thus the Christian who asked for bread to give to sinners is taught by the Saviour to expect rebuff, to expect no favorable answer at first. How strange this seems to us! Surely it seems that God would gladly give soul-winning power to every one who asks it, bread for sinners to everyone who wishes to carry the bread. Yet, according to this parable, the bread is not forthcoming. The man within simply answers, "No, my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee." Isn't it strange for God to say, "Trouble Me not; don't bother Me. I have no disposition now to give you bread for sinners"? Yet that is what the Scriptures seem to teach! What can Jesus mean by these words? I think I can help you to see it by this illustration. The little child longs to be able to use the axe which Father cuts down big trees and splits the stove wood, yet the f |
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| PLAY | True Confession Must Take Place Before Importunate Prayer, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #149) | October 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 145:18 which reads: "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Robert Murray McCheyne. He said: "If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me." Our prayer motivator devotional today is the third and final part of our current series entitled True Confession Must Take Place Before Importunate Prayer from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Here is the shameful reason for the fruitlessness of Christians all over the land. Here is why preachers have no souls saved, why churches have no revivals, why Sunday School teachers do not win pupils, why fathers and mothers and wives and husbands do not win loved ones to Christ. The simple fact is that God sent loved ones our way that we ought to win and that we could win, if we had the bread of life and the power of the Holy Ghost upon us. We do not have what it takes to win souls. God certainly has bread for sinners. His dear, compassionate, bleeding heart has prepared a way for all of mankind and His seeking spirit will never be satisfied until His house is filled, and the wedding table is furnished with guests. God has bread for sinners, but that bread must be carried by Christians. There is bread for you to carry to your loved one. I beseech you today, go and beg for it, plead for it, with confession, with tears, with travail of soul, until God answers from Heaven and gives you that power you need -- the wisdom and leadership and message that you need to win souls. There is a Friend who has bread, plenty of it, for every sinner. There is someone whom God has brought to your door, to your life, who needs the bread. God means for you to get the bread which He has in abundance, and give it to the poor sinner who has none. Confess today your lack, your fruitlessness. Make your confession, admit your sin, then stay and get the bread! This is a sad prayer, isn't it? "I have nothing to set before him." It is like the disciples who frankly shrank from the task of feeding 5,000 and said, "There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves and two small fishes; but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9). They said that even if there were two hundred pennyworth of bread it would not be enough for so great a multitude. Yet Jesus said to them, "Give ye them to eat." Do you remember when Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration and found the disciples who did not go with him surrounded by a multitude? A father with his poor, demon-possessed son came to Jesus. He had brought his son to the disciples to cast out the devils and they could not cast them out! And since the disciples could not cast out devils, the father doubted whether Jesus could. But Jesus did. Then the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Why could we not cast them out?" They saw they had failed. They confessed their need. All over the land Christians and preachers ought to be confessing that friends in their journey have come to us and we have nothing to set before them. God has bread for all the sinners, but we have not been able to carry it to them. + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | By Praying, Learn to Pray (Prayer Motivator Minute #91) | October 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 10:17 which says: "LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "It is necessary to iterate and reiterate that prayer, as a mere habit, as a performance gone through by routine or in a professional way, is a dead and rotten thing." |
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| PLAY | True Confession Must Take Place Before Importunate Prayer, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #148) | October 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 65:2 which reads: "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come."
Our prayer motivator quote today is a short story about George Mueller. It goes like this: "One day George Mueller began praying for five of his friends. After many months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Mueller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was rewarded, for soon after Mueller's funeral the last one was saved." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part two of our current series entitled True Confession Must Take Place Before Importunate Prayer from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... One of you who is listening right now is a wife, and God gave you a husband. He is dearer to you than life itself, dearer than any earthly friend could be. God sent him your way. God depends upon you to give him the bread of life. If you do not do your part, if you have not the power to win him, then surely his case may be well-nigh hopeless. I know wives who have lived with husbands for 30 years and never won them to Christ. I know brothers who have grown up with brothers; they have worked together and played together. Oftentimes, they have been nearly inseparable. Yet the Christian brother has not been able to win his unsaved brother to Christ. I know fathers into whose hands and homes and hearts God has put little children. They love Daddy, follow after Daddy, imitate Daddy, almost worship Daddy. Yet I have seen such children grow up around their father and he never once had the bread of life for them. I tell you, we cannot escape the responsibility of blood relationship, and the responsibility of intimate friendship and association. If there is someone who is near and dear to you and is unsaved, then God expects you to take to them the bread of life. Even the rich man in Hell acknowledged his obligation to his five unsaved brothers. He knew that, following his example, they too would go to Hell unless they were warned, so he pled that one should be sent, even from Heaven to warn his five brothers that they should repent lest they come to the place of torment where he was already! You cannot escape your responsibility, I say, to the friend, or wife, or husband, or son, or daughter, or mother, or neighbor, whom God has sent your way. Many of you who are listening long to win souls but never do. You pray for souls to be saved, and sometimes timidly invite them to church, or tell them that you pray for them. Yet you do not get them saved. Why? Why? WHY? This simple prayer which Jesus taught His disciples to pray gives us the answer. You dear Christians simply do not have what it takes. You do not have upon you the power of the Holy Ghost. You do not have the holy boldness, the deep concern, the travail of soul, the burning words, it may be, or the tears, or the example that God will use to win that soul to Himself! You, if you are honest, must pray this prayer of confession, "A friend of mine in his journey is come to me AND I HAVE NOTHING TO SET BEFORE HIM!" You do not have the bread of life to set before sinners. You do not have what it takes. God meant for you to have, you could have had, and you may yet have the bread of life for sinners. Let me suggest, then, that you drop very quietly before God and bow your head. Pray this simple prayer of confession. Mean it from your very soul. Acknowledge in these words your failure, your barrenness, your shallowness as a Christian, your lack of fruit-bearing. Pray it now in your heart. Perhaps it will help you if you bow your head, close your eyes, and earnestly and contritely |
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| PLAY | He Who Moves God Must First Be Moved By God (Prayer Motivator Minute #90) | October 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 9:28-29 which says: "And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Hudson Taylor. He said, "I have seen many men work without praying, though I have never seen any good come out of it; but I have never seen a man pray without working." |
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| PLAY | True Prayer Does Not Begin When We Kneel, Nor Does it Cease When We Rise (Prayer Motivator Minute #89) | October 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 116:2 which says: "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "God's cause is committed to men; God commits Himself to men. Praying men are the vice-regents of God; they do His work and carry out His plans." |
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| PLAY | True Confession Must Take Place Before Importunate Prayer, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #147) | October 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 55:17 which reads: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part one of a new series entitled True Confession Must Take Place Before Importunate Prayer from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... We started out by asking Jesus to teach us to pray. Then we must pray the kind of prayer that he puts in our mouths. We often pray the words of the Lord's prayer, or the model prayer, but why not pray also this other model prayer given us in Luke 11:5 and 6: "Friend, lend me three loaves: for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me and I have nothing to set before him"? This is a prayer asking for bread, but it is much more--it is a prayer of humble confession. How Christians do need to pray this prayer: "A friend of mine in his journey is come to me and I have nothing to set before him!" Every Christian who reads this is the best Christian somebody knows. Many a wife will say, "Preacher, pray for my husband." or, "Please go to see my husband and try to win him to Christ." But again and again, these dear women urge, "Do not let him know that I sent you." Wives say, "You know how it is. Husbands won't listen to their own wives." Or mothers and fathers say, "Preacher, pray for my boy. I hope God will send someone to pray for him. You know boys and girls don't pay much attention to their mothers and fathers. An outsider can do more with them." But that is an alibi that will not stand up. It is really not true. If a mother is what she ought to be, she can have more influence over her own boy than any one else. If a Christian wife is out-and-out for God and filled with the Holy Spirit, she can win her husband more quickly than anyone else can. Here is the teaching. Jesus teaches us that we must admit our responsibility. We must frankly confess to God that there are certain ones God has sent our way, "friends" to whom we owe the bread of life. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | How to Obtain God's Blessings for Those Who Are in Need, Especially Those Who Are Lost, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #146) | October 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 50:15 which reads: "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from J.H. Jowett. He said, "It is in the field of prayer that life's critical battles are lost or won. We must conquer all our circumstances there. We must first of all bring them there. We must survey them there. We must master them there. In prayer we bring our spiritual enemies into the Presence of God and we fight them there. Have you tried that? Or have you been satisfied to meet and fight your foes in the open spaces of the world?" Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled How to Obtain God's Blessings for Those Who Are in Need, Especially Those Who Are Lost (Part 3) from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Christ offers to teach the disciples to pray like Moses prayed. He came down from Mount Sinai to find his beloved Israel dancing naked about the golden calf and saying "These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt" (Exod. 32:8). Moses took radical steps to destroy thr idol and convict the people of their sins and stop the plague. Then he went with a broken heart back up the mountain to pray. God threatened to destroy the nation and to make of Moses and his descendants a great nation. But Moses said, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written" (Exod. .2:31,32). Moses's compassionate, intercessory prayer prevailed with God so that He did not destroy the nation, though they had sinned so grievously. That is not the simple and elementary praying taught in the Lord's Prayer. That is not kindergarten praying, but the praying of a master. This is Christ's college course in prayer. Here Christ would teach us to pray as Esther prayed for her nation of Jews to be saved from the hands of wicked Haman who had plotted to destroy them all. Here God would teach us to pray as Daniel prayed in the ninth chapter of his prophecy: "By prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, ad ashes," interceding for the whole nation of Israel. Or again when he ate no pleasant bread, either flesh or wine, nor did he anoint himself with oil, till three whole weeks were fulfilled (Dan. 10:3). Christ here would have us enter into the travail of soul which Paul the apostle had so that he could write even under infallible, divine inspiration, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the fles" (Rom. 9:1-3). Most of us pray for ourselves. We could not say like Paul in Romans 10:1, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." Here Christ would teach us to enter into His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, yea, into the very agony of the cross itself. Christ died to save sinners. For this purpose He left Heaven and came to earth, was despised, abused, betrayed, deserted, spit upon, scourged, mocked, stripped, nailed to the cross and slain. Christ paid the price to get the bread of life to sinners. He Himself is that Bread. None of us can atone for man's sin. In the Garden of Gethsemane Christ "went a little further" than anyone else, and of course He is God's only Savior, the only Mediator between God and man. But still it is true that He has granted that Christians who will may learn to enter into the intercessory work of Christ, to bear His burdens, suffer His travail, and so carry the bread of life from God to the sinner. That is the meaning of this parable when Je |
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| PLAY | Too Many Want God to Change People and Things When They Pray, but They are Not Willing to Let God Change Them (Prayer Motivator Minute #88) | October 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Ephesians 3:14 which says: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Wesley. He said, "Prayer is where the action is." |
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| PLAY | Prayer and Praise are Like the Wings of a Bird -- Both Must Work Together (Prayer Motivator Minute #87) | October 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Zechariah 13:9 which says: "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Richard Halverson. He said, "Intercession is truly universal work for the Christian. No place is closed to intercessory prayer. No continent—no nation—no organization—no city—no office. There is no power on earth that can keep intercession out." |
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| PLAY | How to Obtain God's Blessings for Those Who Are in Need, Especially Those Who Are Lost, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #145) | October 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 37:7 which reads: "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled How to Obtain God's Blessings for Those Who Are in Need, Especially Those Who Are Lost (Part 2) from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Some Christians make the mistake of never separating from unsaved sinners. They are not a peculiar people. They are like Lot down in Sodom who called the men of Sodom "brethren" and lost his testimony so that "he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law" (Gen. 19:14). We should not be conformed to this world. It is true that we are in the world and we must have contact with sinners, but we should not live as they do. Saved people must be different if lost people are to come to us for the bread of life. But other Christians go to the opposite extreme. They feel that this world is not their home, that they have no continuing city, therefore, they make much of their heavenly friends who have plenty of bread but never carry any to the other friends who have none. Some Christians try so hard to be sanctified and separated that they do not love sinners and they do not win souls. You can be sure that Jesus was holy and sinless and otherworldly. No one could ever accuse him of compromising with sin, yet the Pharisees were astonished at His love for sinners. The Bible says in Luke 15:2, "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." It is remarkable how Jesus loved sinners, ate with them, preached to them, forgave them. Here, then, God has left Christians as the link between two worlds, the link between God and man. I know that Christ is the one Mediator between God and man, the one atonement for sin, but in some sense, Christians enter into the mediatorial work of Christ. In some sense we are to be intercessors like Christ. Paul said he was one who fills "up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church" (Col. 1:24). I wonder if you, dear listener, have been in kindergarten so long as regarding Christ's teaching on prayer that you have never learned to pray for others, have never entered into the burden and soul-agony of Christ for sinners, have never sought and found the bread of life for sinners and carried it to them with power and blessing? + Plus, listen to Daniel White, Jr. singing "God Has Smiled On Me" |
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| PLAY | Long Prayers in Public Could Indicate Short Prayers in Private (Prayer Motivator Minute #86) | September 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Isaiah 65:24 which says: "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian." |
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| PLAY | How to Obtain God's Blessings for Those Who Are in Need, Especially Those Who Are Lost (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #144) | September 30, 2011 |
| And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. | ||
| PLAY | Prayer is the Child's Helpless Cry to the Heavenly Father's Attentive Ear (Prayer Motivator Minute #85) | September 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Acts 13:3 which says: "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Logan. He said, "All great soul-winners have been men of much and mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by persevering, prevailing knee-work in the closet." |
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| PLAY | The Power of the Lord's Prayer, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #143) | September 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 17:1 which reads: "Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Adoniram Judson. He said, "I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything but it came at some time; no matter at how distant a day, somehow, in some shape, probably the least I would have devised, it came." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our last devotional titled THE POWER OF THE LORD'S PRAYER from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... "And forgive us our sins." Every Christian needs to pray that prayer every day. We are saved, yet we are saved sinners. Every day, according to the teaching of our Saviour, we should come to God and get all the hindrances removed. By confessing our sins, we are cleansed and forgiven, as is faithfully promised in 1 John 1:9. And when we come to God for daily cleansing and forgiveness, let us remember to forgive others. I know that when one turns to Christ for salvation and depends upon Him in simple faith, he gets all of his sins forgiven - sins of the past, of the present, and of the future. All these sins - every one - have been laid upon Jesus Christ, who has paid for them. The one who trusts in Christ has everlasting life and never will come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life. But there is a secondary sense in which Christians need forgiveness every day. After I am already a child of God, my sins grieve God and must be dealt with. My sins cannot send me to Hell, but they can break God's heart, can hinder our fellowship, can grieve the Holy Spirit, can ruin my testimony and my happiness. Daily, every Christian needs his sins cleansed and forgiven. And one sure token of a genuine and sincere repentance for sIn is our willingness and gladness to forgive all those who sin against us. And this Scripture agrees with the beatitude, "Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy." Be sure that you learn this secret of daily conquering prayer. Forgive and be forgiven every day. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Every Christian needs daily leading. We should daily beg for divine guidance to keep us out of temptation. David rejoiced in the 23rd Psalm, "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." And we must daily ask God to keep us from the hands of the evil one. Prayer is a mighty weapon against temptation. Daily let us call on God for bread, for forgiveness, for guidance, for protection from sin and the temptaions of Satan. This is the common school of prayer, the elementary grade of Christ's school in prayer. Every Christian should learn to pray in the spirit of our Lord's model prayer. We must note, however, that all of the petitions included in the Lord's Prayer are personal and for self. Every Christian is invited to ask for bread for himself and deliverance for himself. Every Christian should learn these elementary, kindergarten steps in prayer. But let us remember that these are, after all, simply the first steps in prayer. God has far greater teaching on prayer that He wants to give us. + Plus, listen to Daniel Whyte Jr. singing "God Has Smiled On Me" |
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| PLAY | If Prayer Does Not Drive Sin Out of Your Life, Sin Will Drive Prayer Out (Prayer Motivator Minute #84) | September 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Daniel 9:3 which says: "And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties." |
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| PLAY | The Power of the Lord's Prayer, Part 1 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #142) | September 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 5:3 which reads: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Martin Luther. He said, "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled THE POWER OF "THE LORD'S PRAYER" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Jesus then gave His disciples the model prayer, which multitudes simply call "the Lord's prayer". Do not quibble about the name. The Lord Jesus gave it as a model for prayer. Let us learn to pray as Jesus here taught His disciples to pray: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." This prayer is simple and universal in its usefulness. Every Christian - from the most ignorant child to the most profound scholar - can approach God, saying, "Our Father which art in heaven." And every one should approach reverently, "Hallowed be thy name." And all of us alike ought to pray for the Lord's return and His kingdom on the earth. How many, many times the saints of God have uttered these words, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," without realizing that thus we are to pray regularly for the return of Christ. That is the blessed hope of the Christian. John said in Revelation 22:20, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Note that this prayer is for common, everyday needs, universal needs of the people of God. "Give us day by day our daily bread." We have a right to pray for our daily needs. Food, clothes, shelter, a job, physical necessities are included in God's will for a Christian. Christians do not always get what they want, but Christians ought to get all they need. I believe that just as confidently as a child comes to his mother or father for food, so any Christian ought to come to God for daily needs, physical, material needs. God is the Maker of this world, and "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." The God who fed Elijah with ravens, and made the meal and the oil last all along for the widow and her sons and the prophet of God, and the hand that fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fishes, can still feed the saints of God and supply their needs. God is our Father. All the heavens and the earth are His, and He will gladly clothe His children as He does the lilies of the field. He will as gladly feed His beloved as He does the fowls of the air. It is well to note that this prayer should be a model for prayers every day. We need not use these exact words, but we ought at least to pray today for today's bread. Tomorrow we need to pray again for tomorrow's bread. |
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| PLAY | True Prayer is a Way of Life, Not Just for Emergencies (Prayer Motivator Minute #83) | September 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 4:7 which says: "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon. He said, "The greatest thing anyone can do for God or man is pray |
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| PLAY | Asking God for Bread for Sinners - "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #141) | September 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Chronicles 16:11 which reads: "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said, "The true church lives and moves and has its being in prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled ASKING GOD FOR BREAD FOR SINNERS - "LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY" from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... The disciples often heard Jesus pray. Luke 9:18 says, "And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him..." So in Luke 11:1 we find that the disciples quietly waited while Jesus poured out His heart in prayer: "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." There was nothing formal nor ordinary in the prayer of Jesus. To hear Jesus pray would carry one, surely, into the very Holy of Holies! Can you imagine the groanings, the tears, the happy, child-like faith, the urgency with which Jesus prayed? How the disciples marveled and grew hungry-hearted as they heard Jesus pray! I do not know other things that were in the prayer Jesus prayed, but I know one note that could not be lacking. He was come to seek and to save that which was lost. It was to this end that He was born. His compassion for sinners, His burning zeal to save them, the love and grace which carried Him to the cross, were surely manifested in His prayer that day while the disciples quietly waited. And when Jesus closed His prayer and looked up, one of the disciples, moved so deeply by hearing Jesus pray, said, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught His disciples." John the Baptist had taught his disciples to pray. What a lesson for preachers! We should teach people to pray. Christians do not automatically become great men and women of prayer just as soon as they are born again. Prayer is an art that requires teaching. Every pastor and teacher should set himself to training people in Christ-like prayer. So this disciple asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." Christians should study how to pray. They should ask God to teach them to pray. They should train themselves in Christ-like prayer. The entire passage of Scripture in Luke 11:2-13 was given by Jesus in response to this earnest request that He teach His disciples to pray. Let us study these verses carefully. Let us learn to pray as John taught his disciples to pray and as Jesus taught His disciples to pray. We should learn to pray in the spirit with which they prayed. We should pray for the same kind of things for which they asked. And we should pray with assurance and according to the will of God. We should get our prayers answered as they did. Suppose we approach this Scripture reverently, then, with a heart fully committed to learn from this Scripture lesson just how to pray as Jesus taught His disciples. The first thing is to come with the same hungry heart the disciples had and pray the same prayer. I suggest that every listener stop now and search his heart a moment. Then, can you pray the prayer of this hungry-hearted disciple? If you can, then bow your heart before God and earnestly, sincerely pray this prayer: "Lord, teach me to pray." Let us look to Christ to teach us through this Scripture. And as the Holy Spirit intreprets it to our hearts, may we be taught to pray so that we may pray as Jsus did and as He taught His disciple to pray, even as John taught his disciples to pray. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | How to Pray for Money, Jobs, Clothes, Cars and Other Necessary Material Things and Get them from God Without Debt, Guilt, or Sorrow (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #140) | September 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Acts 1:14 which reads: "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "The men and women who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor head way seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled HOW TO PRAY FOR MONEY, JOBS, CLOTHES, CARS AND OTHER NECESSARY MATERIAL THINGS AND GET THEM FROM GOD WITHOUT DEBT, GUILT, OR SORROW from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... It is remarkable how many miracles of the Saviour were done to provide somebody with physical necessities. The first miracle the Saviour did was to turn water into wine in Cana of Galilee. When Jesus planned to call Simon Peter and James and John to follow Him and be His disciples, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught," and the nets "inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. How impressive that this was a miracle of food! Then the Saviour later fed five thousand people with five little barley loaves and two small fishes. And again He fed four thousand people on another occasion. These are miracles of food. Then when Jesus had risen from the dead He went to Galilee, where the disciples had fished all night, catching nothing; and again He filled their nets, this time with 153 great fishes. Meantime He Himself had built a fire of coals and cooked their breakfast by the lakeside. The Lord Jesus was interested in food, and how glad He was to supply it for hungry people! And Paul rejoiced because the saints of Philippi had sent him food and other good things by the hand of Epaphroditus; and he wrote to say, "I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Paul took this food as being sent from God and promised that these beloved saints who cared for God's apostle should likewise have all their needs provided. How often I have met the sin of unbelief as regards God's willingness to give physical blessings! Frequently people tell me, "Earthly blessings were for the Jews, but God gives to Christians heavenly blessings." I do not know who invented that wicked alibi of unbelief; I have known many good men to quote it. But it is certainly not true. God is as willing to give daily bread to Christians in the New Testament as in the Old Testament. His plan has never changed. In James 1:17 we are told, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." On this matter of supplying Christians' needs, God never varies: there is never a shadow of turning away from His goodness in providential care for His own! I know that God gives great spiritual blessings in answer to prayer, but I am equally sure that He longs to give us our daily bread and raiment and to supply all our physical, material needs. Every Christian should read the life story of George Muller, the man who built orphan houses at Ashley Downs in Bristol, England. There he housed over two thousand orphans; and the money for every building, the money for every meal, and the supplies for all the workers came in answer to prayer without ever taking a public collection and without ever appealing to any man for money. Hundreds of missionaries were supported, many |
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| PLAY | To Walk With God, We Must Make it a Practice to Talk With God (Prayer Motivator Minute #82) | September 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Ephesians 3:20 which says: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.S. Lewis. He said, "Prayer in the sense of petition, asking for things, is a small part of it; confession and penitence are its threshold, adoration its sanctuary, the presence and vision and enjoyment of God its bread and wine." |
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| PLAY | No One Can Live Wrong and Pray Right -- No One Can Pray Right and Live Wrong (Prayer Motivator Minute #81) | September 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 21:36 which says: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross. He said, "When prayer has become secondary, or incidental, it has lost its power. Those who are conspicuously men of prayer are those who use prayer as they use food, or air, or light, or money." |
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| PLAY | How to Pray for Your Daily Food and Get it Without Food Stamps (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #139) | September 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Colossians 1:9 which reads: "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from R.F. Horton. He said, "Therefore, whether the desire for prayer is on you or not, get to your closet at the set time; shut yourself in with God; wait upon Him; seek His face; realize Him; pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR DAILY FOOD AND GET IT WITHOUT FOOD STAMPS from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... When Jesus taught His disciples the model prayer, He said, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven...Give us day by day our daily bread." Jesus plainly commands us Christians to pray for our daily bread. And of course He meant not only bread, but all our necessary food, and other material necessities. In Mathew 6:9-13, Matthew gives the Lord's Prayer, or the model prayer, and the request is, "Give us this day our daily bread." Then following that in the same chapter the Saviour commanded us not to lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, and said, "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on", and then reminded us that our heavenly Father feeds the fowls of the air and clothes the lilies of the field. So there can be no doubt that the Saviour intended us to pray for bread and clothes and all the material blessings. All of our physical needs are matters to be taken up with our heavenly Father in trusting prayer. And when the Lord Jesus commanded us to pray for daily bread, He implied forcibly that the heavenly Father will surely grant this request. How bold we ought to be when we come to our own heavenly Father and ask Him for bread for today! How many wonderful miracles God has worked, recorded throughout the Bible, simply to give people necessary food! God gave the children of Israel manna from Heaven full forty years, six miracles a week, year in and year out, that the people simply might be fed! And God was so anxious for people to remember His willingness to give daily bread that He had the children of Israel to put a pot of the manna away to keep in the holy of holies through the centuries to remind them of God's willing and loving providence. But the Lord cared as much for their clothes as for their food, and He saw that their garments waxed not old and that their shoes did not wear out for the forty years! And He gave them quail when they were hungry for meat. He gave them water out of a rock when they were thirsty. He made the bitter water of Marah sweet. Food, drink, clothes --- these are matters to be taken up freely between a child and his father, between a Christian and his heavenly Father! God clave a hollow place in the jawbone of an ass with which Samson had killed a thousand Philistines, and there came out water that he might drink so he would not perish. God fed Elijah with ravens. Twice a day Elijah had bread and meat brought from ravens, and drank of the brook. Then God sent him to the home of a widow of Zarephath, and the handful of meal in a barrel and the bit of oil in a cruse neither wasted nor failed, but God miraculously multiplied them to feed His prophet and the widow and her son. God is definitely interested in the comfort and welfare of His people. God even sent an angel to bake a cake of bread for the discouraged Elijah and to refresh him with water. + Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing "What if His People Prayed" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Need Not be Long When Faith is Strong (Prayer Motivator Minute #80) | September 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Kings 8:33 which says: "When thy people Israel have been smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, they shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "Is the Son of God praying in me, or am I dictating to Him?....Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He will press forward in front of our common sense and change our attitude to the things about which we pray." |
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| PLAY | How to Pray in the Will of God for a "Yes" Answer, Part 5 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #138) | September 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 4:1 which reads: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Robert Murray M'Cheyne. He said, "I ought to pray before seeing anyone…Christ arose before day and went into a solitary place. David says: ‘Early will I seek thee’…I feel it is far better to begin with God—to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 5 of our last broadcast titled HOW TO PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD FOR A "YES" ANSWER from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... The Holy Spirit of God is also "the Spirit of Christ," as Romans 8:9 says. Jesus promised the heartsick disciples on the night before the crucifixion, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you". And He explained that He would come in the Person of the Holy Spirit of God. And John 14:26 says, "But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send IN MY NAME, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." So the blessed Holy Spirit makes known to us the will of Christ and calls to our remembrance what He has said in His Word and teaches us all things we need to know, as we submit ourselves to Him and with fervent hearts meditate on God's Word. So Christians, then, have a blessed and sure way of knowing the will of God. If they pray according to the plain promises of the Word and if they are led and helped by the Holy Spirit, then their prayers will be pleasing to God. God can put in the hearts of Christians what He wants them to pray for, what will honor His name, what will prosper His cause, what will be for the happiness and good of His children. And when we pray thus according to the will of God, we can get exactly what we pray for. And since the Holy Spirit is Christ's own personal representative, His Spirit, His Comforter, then one who is led by the Holy Spirit can honestly pray in Jesus' name. Every prayer that is honestly presented in Jesus' name will be answered. That is the express statement of John 14:13, 14. Let us read it again: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." There it is as plain as day. Anything under Heaven, asked in Jesus' name, will be given. But how often we lie to God about this matter! People have fallen into the custom of saying at the close of their prayers, "This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen." But are we always asking in Jesus' name? Do we really mean, "Father, in Thy Word I have found what You have promised, and the Holy Spirit has made clear this petition is exactly what Jesus wants. Here He puts His endorsement on the prayer, and I know You will give it because Jesus wants it"? Is that really always true about the prayers where we add the formality, "in Jesus' name"? I believe it is not. I know it is not, because many such prayers do not get the answer they seek; and that proves they are not really given in Jesus' name. ... |
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| PLAY | Life is Fragile -- Handle with Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #79) | September 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 28:2 which says: "Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ." |
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| PLAY | How to Pray in the Will of God for a "Yes" Answer, Part 4 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #137) | September 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 18:1 which reads: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Martin Luther. He said, "As is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 4 of our last broadcast titled HOW TO PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD FOR A "YES" ANSWER from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... To pray in the will of God one needs the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit's guidance, our poor carnal minds would get only the bare letter of the Bible and not understand the will of God; for spiritual things are spiritually discerned. And there are a thousand details on which we need to know the mind of God, about which the bare letter of the Word of God does not give information: What shall be the theme of my next sermon? To which sinner should I speak first about his soul? How shall I approach him? Should I ask God for a new car or do with the old one for awhile? Does God want my children to take music or not? Shall I send this money to foreign missions or give it to the local church? What part of the Scripture shall I read in my devotions today? Does God want me to take this business venture? Thus, there are a thousand questions about which one needs the personal and detailed guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, or we cannot certainly pray in the will of God and be assured that we have a right to expect exactly what we ask: But, bless God, every Christian can have the Holy Spirit to help him pray. Romans 8:26-27 reads, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." No, we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but our infirmity in this matter is helped by the Holy Spirit. He makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. And then our prayer, led and dictated by the Holy Spirit, reaches the heart of God; and we get what we ask because the Holy Spirit "maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." The Holy Spirit can pray always "according to the will of God." So any prayer that is inspired and guided and aided by the Holy Spirit can be assured of an answer. When one prays according to the will of God, then that prayer will be answered. Someone has well said that any prayer that begins in Heaven will certainly not be rejected there. The Holy Spirit is called "the Comforter" by our Saviour. This "Comforter" is a translation of the Greek word parakletos, meaning "one called alongside". So the blessed Holy Spirit is alongside of every Christian. Better yet, the Saviour said in John 14:17, "Ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." The Holy Spirit dwelled with the apostles before the resurrection. But the Saviour promised that after He would be glorified, the Holy Spirit would be within us. So when Jesus rose from the dead, He breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." Now from that time, every saved person has the Holy Spirit abiding in his body. Romans 8:9 says, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. The spirit of God dwells in us who are saved; and if anybody does not have this Spirit of Christ, this Holy Spirit, dwelling in him, he is not saved. First Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are |
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| PLAY | The Devil Would Rather You Wear Out Your Shoes Going to Church than Your Trousers Praying (Prayer Motivator Minute #78) | September 19, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 4:2 which says: "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Hudson Taylor. He said, "Since the days of Pentecost, has the whole church ever put aside every other work and waited upon Him for ten days, that the Spirit’s power might be manifested? We give too much attention to method and machinery and resources, and too little to the source of power." |
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| PLAY | How to Pray in the Will of God for a "Yes" Answer, Part 3 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #136) | September 19, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Thessalonians 5:25 which reads: "Brethren, pray for us."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from R.A. Torrey. He said, "Out of a very intimate acquaintance with D. L.Moody, I wish to testify that he was a far greater prayer than he was preacher. Time and time again, he was confronted by obstacles that seemed insurmountable, but he always knew the way to overcome all difficulties. He knew the way to bring to pass anything that needed to be brought to pass. He knew and believed in the deepest depths of his soul that nothing was too hard for the Lord, and that prayer could do anything that God could do." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our last broadcast titled HOW TO PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD FOR A "YES" ANSWER from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... We must have a heart-understanding of God's Word, so we may know the will of God. How can we ask with any assurance that God will be pleased to give us what we ask, unless we know something of His will? For this reason Jesus said in John 15:7, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Here, asking just what we want and getting it is said to depend upon our abiding in Christ and His Word abiding in us. We cannot know the will of God without familiarity with the Word. In Psalm 1:1-3 and in Joshua 1:7-9 the prosperity of a Christian in everything is conditioned upon his meditating day and night in the Word of God and walking therein. It is not enough just to read the Word of God. It should abide in us. We should love it, should meditate in it, should absorb it until it colors all our lives and thoughts. Then when we come to ask something from God and can say honestly, "My dear heavenly Father, I have found in Your Word that You want me to have thus and so and that it would honor Thy name. You have said for me to ask for it, so I claim Thy promise and believe Thy Word and take what Thou hast promised me" -- we can certainly expect the answer and get exactly what we prayed for. For example, notice the sweet promise of 1 John 1:9 that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Knowing that verse, any Christian in the world can get instant forgiveness for any sin he is willing to confess with his whole heart; and he can get cleansing too. He has the Word of God for it! It would be a sin for a Christian to doubt that God is ready instantly to forgive and cleanse any Christian who honestly confesses that sin. Or take the implied promise in the Lord's Prayer when the Saviour taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." Any Christian familiar with the Word of God can pray for daily bread and get it, knowing already it is God's will. It would be a mistake to pray, "if it be Thy will," about a thing which God has already clearly told us is His will. On the other hand, if a Christian be thoroughly endued with the Word of the Lord, he could not honestly ask for the great wealth of the world, to the ignoring of spiritual values. If he knew and loved and believed the words of the Saviour in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"; he would certainly know that spiritual blessings are far more important than great wealth, that to seek first the kingdom of God would bring the greatest happiness, the greatest peace and the greatest prosperity. He would know that one who really seeks first the kingdom of God will have food to eat and garments to wear, beside the peace of God which passeth understanding. I am saying that one cannot pray in the will of God without knowing the Word of God. The Bible is the revelation of the heart of God. It is the revelation of all that is good and right and true an |
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| PLAY | Preaching Moves Men, Prayer Moves God (Prayer Motivator Minute #77) | September 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:39 which says: "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Evan Roberts. He said, "Prayer is buried, and lost and Heaven weeps. If all prayed, the wicked would flee from our midst or to the refuge." |
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| PLAY | How to Pray in the Will of God for a "Yes" Answer, Part 2 (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #135) | September 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 2:36-37 which reads: "And there was one Anna, a prophetess...And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from John Wesley. He said, "God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our last broadcast titled HOW TO PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD FOR A "YES" ANSWER from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Before we can pray in the will of God with the certainty of getting what we ask for, certain important conditions must be met: First of all, there must be a full surrender to the will of God. There can be no happy, successful prayer life for a rebellious child of God. Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Remember that when Jesus taught us to pray, He said the very first requests we are to make are these, "Hallowed be thy name...Thy will be done in earth." God is our Father, and children should be subject to their father. We are not our own. We are bought and paid for, redeemed with the awful price of Calvary. There can be no victory in prayer except as the heart humbly bows and says, "My Father, show me how to pray in Thy will. I want to ask what will please Thee. I want to have what You want me to have." Every Christian who wants to be able to pray for certain, definite things and get exactly what he prays for, day after day, should first pray, like the disciples of old, "Lord, teach us to pray". God delights to answer the prayer of a surrendered heart, wholly surrendered to His will. In James 4:2 is the remarkable and blessed promise, "Ye have not, because ye ask not." God has so many wonderful things that He longs to give us, and He only waits for our asking. And yet the next verse tells us that "ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." Wicked hearts that seek to have success in prayer without first getting on the praying ground of a surrendered heart, are doomed to disappointment. No doubt here is a great secret of our lack of faith and lack of enthusiasm and lack of success in prayer: we "ask amiss that we may consume things on our own lusts." Sometimes a wife wants her husband saved, and she prays for him; yet her motives may be all wrong. It may be that the wife thinks, If my husband were saved, it would be so much easier on me. He would take me to church. He would be kinder in the home. So she prays for the thing that God really wants to do, longs to do; but God cannot righteously answer her prayers. God needs to make the wife's heart right before He can save her husband. So many Christians hinder the answers to their own prayers, prayers that God would delight to answer, if it could be done to His glory, without His encouraging sin. Oh, how important it is that the heart should surrender to the Lord Jesus! + Plus, listen to the Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Don't Wait to be Driven to Your Knees by the Realization You Have Nowhere Else to Go (Prayer Motivator Minute #76) | September 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:19 which says: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey. He said, "Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God's infinite grace and power. All that God is and all that God does is at the disposal of prayer. But we must use the key. Prayer can do anything God can do, and as God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent." |
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| PLAY | How to Pray in the Will of God for a "Yes" Answer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #134) | September 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Jonah 2:7 which reads: "When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Jeanne Guyon. He said, "The only way to Heaven is prayer; a prayer of the heart, which every one is capable of, and not of reasonings which are the fruits of study, or exercise of the imagination, which, in filling the mind with wandering objects, rarely settle it; instead of warming the heart with love to God, they leave it cold and languishing." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled HOW TO PRAY IN THE WILL OF GOD FOR A "YES" ANSWER from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... All of us know that the average Christian does not usually get exactly what he asks for from God. On the contrary, the average Christian expects nothing of the kind. His prayers are indefinite: they do not pointedly and plainly ask for concrete, definite answers. Ordinary prayers are not really meant to be answered. The Ordinary "prayer" is not asking, and it does not expect an answer of having. Doubtless this is the reason that so many Christians condition nearly every request with the words, "if it be Thy will." We ask God to send a revival "if it be Thy will." We ask God to save sinners for whom Christ died and over whom He yearns with inexpressible longing, "if it be Thy will"! We ask God for the things He has promised to give, the things which He longs to give, the things for which He has entreated us to ask; and then we ask and put a question mark by it -- God forgive us! We put an if in our prayers about whether God is willing to save souls or give revivals or keep His word! But that if is not a sign of submission to the will of God -- it is a sign of our unbelief. It is a sign of our stumbling about in the dark in our prayers, with no assurance that God will hear us and give us the things for which we ask. Suppose that in the pulpit your pastor should put an if about the virgin birth of Christ, as you put an if about His keeping His promises -- would you like that? Suppose there is a doubt, an if, an uncertainty, no ring of victory, nothing you can absolutely depend upon, in the way the Word of God is proclaimed and taught -- would you like that? Well, do you think God would like that? No more does He like us to come with such unbelief, such stumbling, doubting, uncertainty to ask for the things which He has promised and which He wants to give. No, God wants us to find out how to pray according to His will for things which can honor His great name, and then He wants us to expect definite and exact answers to those prayers. If we ask for bread, He wants us to expect bread, and not a stone. If we ask for fish, He wants us to expect fish, and not a snake. If we ask for an egg, He wants us to expect an egg, and not a scorpion. He wants praying to be on the basis of asking and receiving as simple as that of a child and his own father. + Plus, listen to Babbie Mason singing "Pray On" |
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| PLAY | Things Begun in Prayer, Usually End in Power (Prayer Motivator Minute #75) | September 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 22:41 which says: "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Carey. He said, "Prayer—secret, fervent, believing prayer—lies at the root of all personal godliness." |
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| PLAY | The Scriptures Teach that an Answer to Prayer is Getting What You Asked For (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #133) | September 14, 2011 |
| I have repeatedly heard beloved brethren say that when God declined to do the things which His children desired, the answer was as real as when He granted the things which they desired. The statement is sometimes made in this manner: 'God says sometimes "yes" and sometimes "no." "No" is as really an answer as "yes," so that prayer is always answered.' It has ever seemed to me a cruel trifling with the souls of men to teach in this way. Of course, I do not mean to charge those who thus speak, with intentional cruelty or trifling. Nevertheless, that which they do seems to me a heartbreaking piece of work. | ||
| PLAY | The Answer to Prayer is Receiving (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #132) | September 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 3:12 which reads: "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Wesley Duewel. He said, "As a leader your usefulness is dependent upon your prayer life." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled THE ANSWER TO PRAYER IS RECEIVING from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Jesus Christ said in Matthew 7:7-11, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" 1 John 3:22 reads, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Won't Stop Praying" |
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| PLAY | The World Seeks Victory by Trying to Get Back On its Feet -- the Christian by Getting Down on his Knees (Prayer Motivator Minute #74) | September 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 9:6 which says: "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Evan Roberts. He said, "Prayer is the secret of power." |
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| PLAY | Even Though Prayer May Involve Other Things, True Prayer is Asking God for the Things You Need and the Good Things You Desire (Part 3) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #131) | September 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Micah 7:7 which reads: "Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Dave Earley. He said, "Spiritual work depends upon spiritual tools. No spiritual tool is as significant or powerful as prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 3 of our last broadcast titled E EVEN THOUGH PRAYER MAY INVOLVE OTHER THINGS, TRUE PRAYER IS ASKING GOD FOR THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED AND THE GOOD THINGS THAT YOU DESIRE from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Prayer is asking. The Lord Jesus said that "every one that asketh receiveth." James said by divine inspiration, "Ye have not, because ye ask not." Under any other definition of prayer, there might be some place for form and ceremony, but not since prayer is asking. Since prayer is really asking something from God, then it must come from the heart. No wonder that in Isaiah 44:3 the Lord says, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." Real asking comes from a thirst of the heart. Mark 11:24 says, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Heart's desire is back of honest prayer. It is all right to pray aloud. It is all right to pray in a whisper. But since prayer really comes from the desire of the heart, it may overleap the incidental matters of words and sentences. The heart-cry may be manifested in tears or in groans or in quiet, expectant faith. But real prayer, prayer that asks something from God, must come from the heart. Oh, what an abomination is this fake kind of "praying" that is not the honest petition of the heart. Long ago my father was a country preacher. Once when he held services in a certain church, a dear brother prayed long and eloquently. He said, "Lord, come down and meet with us today in this church house. Lord, come right down through the roof right now; I'll pay for the shingles!" Either that was a very figurative way of expressing what his heart desired, or it was not prayer at all. Too much of our praying is like the incantation of a witch doctor or the rites of some modern cult; that is, they may have rhythm or eloquence or beauty and aesthetic form, but they are not genuine prayers when they do not ask for things. The modern tendency to have pipe organ music during prayer is because we are not really praying at all. We say we seek reverance, but actually we are seeking some form of aesthetic beauty, some appeal to the senses. When a lady orders groceries, she does not quote poetry. When the dispatcher gives orders to a trainman, they are not written on engraved stationary. He does not use classic illustrations or ponderous words. When a beggar asks for a dime for a cup of coffee and a hot dog, he does not talk about the glowing sunset. Brother, come to God, asking for what you want, and go home with it! Let us really learn to pray by asking things from God. + Plus, listen to Cece Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Doesn't Need Proof - It Needs Practice (Prayer Motivator Minute #73) | September 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:39 which says: "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Evan Roberts. He said, "Prayer is buried, and lost and Heaven weeps. If all prayed, the wicked would flee from our midst or to the refuge." |
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| PLAY | Even Though Prayer May Involve Other Things, True Prayer is Asking God for the Things You Need and the Good Things You Desire (Part 2) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #130) | September 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Mark 11:17 which reads: "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Chuck Smith. He said, "Through prayer you can advance with the battering ram and demolish the strongholds the enemy has on those individual lives--freeing them from the power that holds them captive." Our prayer motivator devotional today is part 2 of our last broadcast titled EVEN THOUGH PRAYER MAY INVOLVE OTHER THINGS, TRUE PRAYER IS ASKING GOD FOR THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED AND THE GOOD THINGS THAT YOU DESIRE from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... People ordinarily, at least in their public "prayers", do very little praying. They sometimes praise God and sometimes exhort the people and sometimes, perhaps, simply go through a form of beautiful and eloquent words without any special heart-feeling or crying out to God for anything definite. I say that that is generally true. I say this is pretty generally true about public prayer. Of course, I cannot say about private prayer except about my own. Too often I find that in my own secret prayers, I have a tendency to be indefinite and to follow a form and to say the words which are customary, instead of really beseeching God for definite things. I think that probably in private prayer people are not so tempted to make a showing before men, and probably secret prayers tend to be more sincere. I am not saying that exhortation to the people is wrong. I think it is often blessedly used of God. I am not saying that public praise is wrong. I know that public praise is many times commanded and certainly ought to be used to glorify God. But these things ought not to take the place of prayer. And they ought not to be called prayer. Prayer is asking. If it is not asking, it is not prayer in the Bible sense. I beg you in Jesus' name that when you come to pray, you ask things of God! Bring your wants and wishes before God and make definite requests and expect definite blessings! God is rich with blessings that He longs to give, and He but waits for us to ask, that He may give. When my oldest daughter was three years old, she taught me a shocking lesson. In our prayer at the table, I found that she waited until I drew near the end of my prayer, and then she began to say, "Amen! Amen! Amen!" It seemed strange. I was puzzled. How did she know when I was drawing near the end of my prayer? And upon careful examination I found I was saying approximately the same thing in every prayer. I could start my prayer and let it go like a phonograph record, and my mind could wander here or there while my lips went through the pious phrases and the platitudes that long before had meant something but now had become a commonplace form with no heartcry to God. And my three-year-old baby girl, who was hungry and glad when the prayer was through, could anticipate the close of the prayer. She knew just what came next because I had said the same thing so many times! My spiritual face was certainly red! I found with shame that I had drifted into a kind of formalism in my thanks at the table. I was a Pharisee, a hypocrite. Of course, I was a very well-meaning hypocrite as all Pharisees are, but nevertheless there was a fundamental insecurity in following a certain form and using pious terms which had more or less lost their meaning. Shame, shame on us that when we pretend to pray we usually do not really ask anything from God! This means, of course, that much that we call prayer is not prayer at all. And all over the world our foolish pretense of praying, when we do not ask anything and do not get anything, has encouraged unbelief, has cast doubt upon God and the Bible, and millions do not know that th |
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| PLAY | If You Cannot Sleep at Night, Don't Count Sheep -- Talk to the Shepherd (Prayer Motivator Minute #72) | September 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Philippians 4:19 which says: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey. He said, "Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God's infinite grace and power. All that God is and all that God does is at the disposal of prayer. But we must use the key. Prayer can do anything God can do, and as God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent." |
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| PLAY | Even Though Prayer May Involve Other Things, True Prayer is Asking God for the Things You Need and the Good Things You Desire (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #129) | September 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 22:31-32 which reads: "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold,Satan hath desired to have you, that he maysift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee,that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Martin Luther. He said, "Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled EVEN THOUGH PRAYER MAY INVOLVE OTHER THINGS, TRUE PRAYER IS ASKING GOD FOR THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED AND THE GOOD THINGS THAT YOU DESIRE from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... In churches all over the land pastors are accustomed Sunday morning to going through the rigamarole of "the morning prayer". But usually it is not prayer at all: it is a well-planned, pious speech or sermonette. It includes praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and theology. It is addressed more to the people than to God in most cases, I fear. Its aim, I suppose, is to create a reverent atmosphere to comfort the people and edify them. But the aim of the so-called "morning prayer" is very rarely really to get things from God! It does not ask, and it does not receive. It is not real prayer. Dear pastor, test our public prayer by this measurement: Was it answered? Did it expect an answer or require one? Most preachers believe that God answers prayer, I hope, and yet I never heard a pastor say, "I've just had a glorious and definite answer to my 'morning prayer' of last Sunday." No, no, the average Sunday "morning prayer" was not intended to be answered. It was not asking anything. Really, it was not prayer. It was a professional part of a formal service. Sometimes in the address there are some elements of real prayer, and this is not meant to be a wholesale criticism of my dear brethren in the ministry. But how sad God must be over our perversion of the doctrine of prayer and because of our failure to ask anything of God. In revival services it is my joy to have many ministers of the Gospel attend. They are the best men in the world, and I want their love and sympathy and help and prayers more than I want the love and sympathy and help and prayers of any other group in the world. But as a result of long and sad experiences, I have grown accustomed to leading the prayer myself when we come to a serious crisis in a revival service and there is desperate need for God to work. How many, many times when we have come to the close of an earnest revival sermon, and when sinners have held their hands asking that Christians pray for them that they may surrender to Christ and trust Him for salvation, I have asked some minister to lead in prayer and had not a prayer, but a sermon or an exhortation. I have asked Dr. Blank to lead us in prayer that these earnest and convicted sinners may this moment trust Christ and be saved. Instead, he has addressed God and then talked around the world, thanking God for Jesus Christ, thanking God for the Gospel and the Bible, thanking God for our free country, thanking God for the sermon and for Christian fellowship, and then has come to the close of his so-called prayer, without ever once earnestly begging God to save these sinners who sit in the congregation before him and who are already convicted and wanting to be saved! I am not exaggerating when I say that again and again I have had this heartbreaking thing happen. + Plus, listen to Nicole C. Mullen singing "Call on Jesus" |
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| PLAY | Prayers People Prayed in the Bible Back Up the Truth that Prayer is Getting Down to the Business of Asking (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #128) | September 7, 2011 |
| Today is a continuation of "Prayers People Prayed in the Bible Back Up the Truth that Prayer is Getting Down to the Business of Asking"
+ Plus, listen to The City Harmonic singing "Manifesto" |
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| PLAY | Adversity Should Never Get a Christian Down Except on his Knees (Prayer Motivator Minute #71) | September 7, 2011 |
| The Prayer Motivator Minute for September 7, 2011. | ||
| PLAY | Prayers People Prayed in the Bible Back Up the Truth that Prayer is Getting Down to the Business of Asking (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #127) | September 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:36 which reads: "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Jack Hayford. He said, "You and I can help decide which of these two things – blessing or cursing – happens on earth.We will determine whether God’s goodness is released toward specific situations or whether the power of sin and Satan is permitted to prevail. Prayer is the determining factor....If we don't, He won't." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled PRAYERS PEOPLE PRAYED IN THE BIBLE BACKS UP THE TRUTH THAT PRAYER IS GETTING DOWN TO THE BUSINESS OF ASKING from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Consider the Lord's Prayer, the model prayer, which Jesus gave us in Matthew 6:9-13. The Saviour said to us: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," which is a reverential approach to God. And then follows a series of requests or five things that Jesus tells us to ask God for: 1. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." This is a prayer for the second coming, a request that Jesus may come quickly, and that He soon will reign on the earth and put down all of His enemies. It is the prayer that John the beloved prayed by divine inspiration in Revelation 22:20: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." 2. "Give us this day our daily bread." 3. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." 4. "And lead us not into temptation." 5. "But deliver us from evil." And then follows a very short prayer closing, which is a very simple argument as to why our heavenly Father can give us these things and should do it: "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Much of the Lord's Prayer is asking, all the way. We are plainly commanded to pray like this daily. When the Bible speaks of prayer, it always means asking. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus gave examples of prayer. He said prayer is like a man knocking at a door and saying, "Friend, lend me three loaves." It is like a widow before a judge, saying, "Avenge me of mine adversary." It is like a son asking for bread or a fish or an egg from a father. According to Jesus, prayer is a very simple business; and anybody who can ask for things can pray. So when God invites us to pray He invites us to ask things of Him. + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | A Church Stays on its Feet When its Members Get on Their Knees (Prayer Motivator Minute #45) | September 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Brother Lawrence. He said: “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Lamentations 3:41 which says: “Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." |
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| PLAY | Prayers People Prayed in the Bible Back Up the Truth that Prayer is Getting Down to the Business of Asking (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #126) | September 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 26:36 which reads: "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Jack Hayford. He said, "You and I can help decide which of these two things – blessing or cursing – happens on earth.We will determine whether God’s goodness is released toward specific situations or whether the power of sin and Satan is permitted to prevail. Prayer is the determining factor....If we don't, He won't." Our prayer motivator devotional today is titled PRAYERS PEOPLE PRAYED IN THE BIBLE BACKS UP THE TRUTH THAT PRAYER IS GETTING DOWN TO THE BUSINESS OF ASKING from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Consider the Lord's Prayer, the model prayer, which Jesus gave us in Matthew 6:9-13. The Saviour said to us: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," which is a reverential approach to God. And then follows a series of requests or five things that Jesus tells us to ask God for: 1. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." This is a prayer for the second coming, a request that Jesus may come quickly, and that He soon will reign on the earth and put down all of His enemies. It is the prayer that John the beloved prayed by divine inspiration in Revelation 22:20: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." 2. "Give us this day our daily bread." 3. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." 4. "And lead us not into temptation." 5. "But deliver us from evil." And then follows a very short prayer closing, which is a very simple argument as to why our heavenly Father can give us these things and should do it: "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Much of the Lord's Prayer is asking, all the way. We are plainly commanded to pray like this daily. When the Bible speaks of prayer, it always means asking. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus gave examples of prayer. He said prayer is like a man knocking at a door and saying, "Friend, lend me three loaves." It is like a widow before a judge, saying, "Avenge me of mine adversary." It is like a son asking for bread or a fish or an egg from a father. According to Jesus, prayer is a very simple business; and anybody who can ask for things can pray. So when God invites us to pray He invites us to ask things of Him. + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the One Weapon the Enemy Cannot Duplicate or Counterfeit (Prayer Motivator Minute #44) | September 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Chuck Smith. He said: “The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." |
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| PLAY | The Most Important Thing We Can Do is Intercede for Those Who Are Not Saved (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #87) | September 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Zechariah 13:9 which reads: "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."
Our thought for today is that every Christian everywhere can pray on behalf of other people. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Richard Halverson. He said, "Intercession is truly universal work for the Christian. No place is closed to intercessory prayer. No continent—no nation—no organization—no city—no office. There is no power on earth that can keep intercession out." Our prayer motivator devotional is titled "The Most Important Thing We Can Do is Intercede for Those Who Are Not Saved " from Dr. J. Gordon Henry: We can be confident that when we ask anything according to His will, God hears us and will answer our requests. 1 John 5:14-15 reads, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." What is His will concerning the salvation of the unsaved? God is "long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). "All" includes everyone in this incontrovertible statement of God's desire. He wants "all" to come to repentance. He loves the whole worls (John 3:16). Christ is the propitiation for the sins of "the whoel world" (1 John 2:2). Paul's charge to Timothy is that he pray "for all men" and that "God our Saviour [would] have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" and that "Christ Jesus...gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:1, 3:6). Therefore, praying for the lost is a very important need in intercession. Our intercession frees God to do some things He would not otherwise do; God has chosen to involve us in His plan and has chosen to limit Himself to our praying. What an awesome thought! With confidence we can pray for the lost because saving the lost is His will. As we recount how to pray for the lost, it is important to be specific---not general. Intercede for a particular lost person BY NAME---not just all lost people. Name the person in prayer and focus your thoughts and prayers toward that person. This is an extremely important part of praying for the lost. Remember that few people ever come to Christ until someone begins to pray for them as individuals. + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Extremely Important and Prayer is the First Thing You Ought to Do. However, Prayer is Not a Substitute for Working, Thinking, Watching, Suffering, and Giving. (Prayer Motivator Minute #43) | September 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Sadhu Sundar Singh. He said: “The essence of prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God, in speaking with Him, and living with Him in perpetual communion. Prayer is continual abandonment to God."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Job 6:8 which says: “Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for." |
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| PLAY | Where Have the Burdened Hearts for the Lost Gone? (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #86) | September 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Isaiah 65:24 which reads: "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."
Our thought for today is if you have faith that God will answer your prayers, you will love praying to Him. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled WHERE HAVE THE BURDENED HEARTS FOR THE LOST GONE? from Dr. J. Gordon Henry: Paul expressed his burden to pray for his people, Israel, that "they might be saved". He described his burden as "great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart". The context of Romans 9:1-3 includes a statement that the Holy Spirit is his witness that he is telling the truth---since the treatment he had received from his own people would lead an observer to question his veracity in the matter. He sounded much like Moses interceding for Israel in Exodus 32:11-14 when he shared that his burden was so intense that he would be willing to go to hell if his people could be saved. There is little incentive to exercise the discipline needed to pray without a burdened heart. Results are assured when there is a burdened heart. Psalm 126:5-6 reads, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." As the gospel seed is watered with tears of concern, the precious seed (which is the Word of God) will have great impact. Since we are so preoccupied with this life, it is so easy simply to forget life in eternity---which will either be heaven or Hell---based on what a person does with the Lord Jesus Christ. + Plus, listen to the Chicago Mass Choir singing "Prayer Will Fix It" |
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| PLAY | Satan Laughs at Our Toil, Mocks at Our Wisdom, but Trembles When We Pray (The Prayer Motivator Minute #40) | August 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Wesley. He said: “I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 26:41, which says: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." |
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| PLAY | 17 Suggestions to Consider When Praying for Others (Part Three) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #83) | August 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Genesis 18:27-28 which reads: "And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it."
Our thought for today is that the greatest thing any one can ever do in life is pray. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon. He said, "The greatest thing anyone can do for God or man is pray." Prayer Devotional: 17 SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART 3) from Dr. J. Gordon Henry: To review what we discussed on last week, Dr. Henry encouraged us to ask for the following when we pray for others: (1) to realize his present exalted position in Christ, (2) Present himself as a living sacrifice, (3) Be filled with the Holy Spirit, (4) Be regular and systematic in the study of God's Word, (5) Have the mind of Christ, (6) Grow daily in Christlike maturity, (7) Appropriate the full armor of God, (8) Be alert to Satan's strategy, (9) Not love the world system, (10) Have a spirit of brokenness and humility, (11) Have a servant's heart, and (12) Build a Scriptural family. Today, we will discuss five more suggestions. When we pray, we should pray that the person for whom we are interceding will do the following: 13. Become an effective prayer warrior. Pray that the believer will understand what it means to be a prayer warrior; few do. Pray that his praying will be Biblically-based, specific, consistent, steadfast in the Spirit, in faith, and with understanding. 14. Know God's hand on him in physical and materials things. Pray that the one you are praying for will have a measure of health that will best glorify God. Pray that, when set aside by ill health, he will learn the lessons God has for him and draw upon Divine resources. Pray also for safety in travel, financial provision in keeping with God's plan for him, and proper use of the time and money God entrusts to him. 15. Learn to praise the Lord. Praise bring glory to God. Pray that the person for whom you are praying will enter a praise life---centered in the praise and adoration of the Triune God that will result in joy, power, adoration, and glory to the Lord. Pray that he will give thanks for his potential in Christ, for his spiritual growth, and for the resources available in Christ. 16. Engage in a life of prayerful worship. True worship in true service. Pray that the believer will not be on a works treadmill substituting activity for true worship and time with the Lord. Pray that he will make Psalm 37:3-7 the basis of his spiritual life. "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." 17. Reach out to the unsaved. Pray that the one for whom you are praying will love the lost as the Lord Jesus does and will reach out to a lost and dying world with the message of salvation. As the Lord leads you, please use these guidelines in interceding for others. + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon Singing "Won't Stop Praying" |
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| PLAY | The Prayer that Yields the Richest Rewards of Grace is the Prayer We Pray for our Enemies (The Prayer Motivator Minute #39) | August 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Myles Munroe. He said: “There is nothing more common among men, no human activity more universal, yet none more mysterious and misunderstood, than prayer."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 99:6 which says: “Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them." |
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| PLAY | 17 Suggestions to Consider When Praying for Others (Part Two) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #82) | August 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Ephesians 3:20 which reads: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
Our thought for today is that prayer is not only about asking for things, but about praising God, confessing sins, and enjoying God. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.S. Lewis. He said, "Prayer in the sense of petition, asking for things, is a small part of it; confession and penitence are its threshold, adoration its sanctuary, the presence and vision and enjoyment of God its bread and wine." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is a continuation from yesterday's broadcast titled "17 SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN PRAYING FOR OTHERS" from Dr. J. Gordon Henry. To review what we discussed on yesterday, Dr. Henry encouraged us to ask for the following when we pray for others: (1) to realize his present exalted position in Christ, (2) Present himself as a living sacrifice, (3) Be filled with the Holy Spirit, (4) Be regular and systematic in the study of God's Word, (5) Have the mind of Christ, and (6) Grow daily in Christlike maturity. Today, we will discuss six more suggestions. When we pray, we should pray that the person for whom we are interceding will do the following: 7. Appropriate the full armor of God. There is full protection provided. Pray that the believer will have his eyes opened to the dangers of Satanic attacks and will put on the full armor of God. 8. Be alert to Satan's strategy. Pray that the believer will not only be kept from sin, but also will be aware of the threefold Satanic temptations: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Pray that he will know that victory comes only as he takes the victory of Calvary as his own. Pray that he will discern between Satanic pressure and godly chastening. 9. Not love the world system. Pressures from peers, the media, and the world increasingly oppose Biblical standards. Pray that he will love God and not the world. 10. Have a spirit of brokenness and humility. God promises to look toward the person who is humble and trembles at His Word. Humility is an attitude of dependence upoon God and not self. 11. Have a servant's heart. Pray that the believer will desire to serve God and others--which is the essence of Christianity. 12. Build a Scriptural family. Pray that the one for whom you are praying will look neither to the world nor to carnal Christians, but to the Word of God for understanding of family responsibilities. Pray that husband and wife will maintain a balance among family, ministry, and job responsibilities. Pray that parents will be firm and loving--ever realizing the importance of being godly models for their children. Pray for those who are single to look to the Lord for the choice of a life partner. We will cover the remaining five of these great suggestions on our next broadcast. As the Lord leads you, please use these guidelines in interceding for others. + Plus, listen to the New Life Community Choir singing "Standing in the Need" |
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| PLAY | Keep a Secret and It's Yours; Tell it to People and it's Gossip; Tell it to God and it's Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #38) | August 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Sadhu Sundar Singh. He said: “The essence of prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God, in speaking with Him, and living with Him in perpetual communion. Prayer is continual abandonment to God. Prayer does not mean asking God for all kinds of things we want; it is rather the desire for God Himself, the only Giver of Life, Prayer is union with God."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Job 6:8, which says: “Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!" |
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| PLAY | 17 Suggestions to Consider When Praying for Others (Part 1) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #81) | August 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 143:1 which reads: "Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness."
Our thought for today is that prayer must be the foundation of our lives. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross. He said, "When prayer has become secondary, or incidental, it has lost its power. Those who are conspicuously men of prayer are those who use prayer as they use food, or air, or light, or money." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled "17 SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN PRAYING FOR OTHERS" from J. Gordon Henry. There is a difference between simply praying for people and genuine intercession. To illustrate this point further, Dr. Gordon lists seventeen points from a fellow minister by the name of Rev. Will Bruce to guide us in our intercession that are worth our careful consideration. Today, we will discuss six points and will discuss the remaining six points in tomorrow's broadcast and five in Monday's broadcast. Pray that the person for whom we are interceding will do the following: 1. Realize his present exalted position in Christ if he is a Christian. Many believers are ignorant that through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, we have an exalted position before God. It is only as we acknowledge who we really are in Christ that we can live that new identity that is ours. 2. Present himself as a living sacrifice. The ultimate and totally necessary step of Christian dedication is presenting our bodies and all we have and are as a living sacrifice to God. While this commitment is not essential to salvation, no progress will be made in the Christian life without it. 3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit is not optional equipment for the Christian. Nothing in the spiritual life can be accomplished without His power. Pray that the believer will allow the Holy Spirit to work daily in his life. 4. Be regular and systematic in the study of God's Word. Satan persists in cutting Christians off from the Source--being daily in the Word and prayer. His efforts have caused many believers to conclude that the things of the world are not so bad and the things of God are not so important. 5. Have the mind of Christ. Pray that the believer will have the mind of Christ in regards to priorities, goals, and guidance, with sharpened insights so as not to waste time on good things and miss God's best. Pray that he will constantly live with eternity's values in view. 6. Grow daily in Christlike maturity. Pray that the believer will see clearly the need to grow in grace toward maturity. We will cover six more of these great suggestions on tomorrow, and the last five on the following broadcast. As the Lord leads you, please use these guidelines in interceding for others. + Plus, listen to Andrae Crouch singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | You Can Expect God to Intervene When You Have Taken Time to Intercede (The Prayer Motivator Minute #37) | August 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Chuck Smith. He said, "Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Isaiah 58:9 which says: “Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." |
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| PLAY | Let the Holy Spirit Lead You When You Pray (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #80) | August 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Kings 8:33 which reads: "When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house; Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers."
Our thought for today is that prayer will guide us into perfect communion with God. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "Is the Son of God praying in me, or am I dictating to Him?....Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He will press forward in front of our common sense and change our attitude to the things about which we pray." LET THE HOLY SPIRIT LEAD YOU WHEN YOU PRAY, by J. Gordon Henry Be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit leads you to pray. Often, He will bring to your mind a specific Scripture that will serve as the request you make during your time of intercession. Pray fervently to be led by the Holy Spirit to the exact needs of the one in Christ for whom you pray. There will be times when you will sense a need to pray for some person. Obey. Then be alert to the results of your prayer. + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Asking for Rain, and Faith is Carrying the Umbrella (The Prayer Motivator Minute #36) | August 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Myles Munroe. He said: “There is nothing more common among men, no human activity more universal, yet none more mysterious and misunderstood, than prayer."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 99:6 which says: “Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them." |
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| PLAY | When Praying for Others, Let's Not Get Bogged Down With the Material or Trivial (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #79) | August 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 28:2 which reads: "Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled "When Praying for Others, Let's Not Get Bogged Down With the Material or Trivial" from Dr. J. Gordon Henry Intercession is praying for others. In intercession, we are concerned for the needs and interests of others. The idea behind the Greek word is "to fall in with a person, to draw near so as to converse freely, and hence to have freedom of access." It is the word used to describe a child who goes to his father on behalf of another, or a person who enters a king's presence to submit a petition. There is a responsibility that must be accepted to intercede for others. The intercessor is acting as an intermediary between God and man. He forgets himself and his own needs in his identification with the needs of the one for whom he prays. The prayers of Abraham for the people of Sodom (Genesis 18:23-33) and of Moses for Israel (Exodus 32:1-14) are classic examples of intercession. How do we move beyond a superficial, surface request for God to "bless" a person? A starting point is to believe that we have a living God who exercises direct influence on the affairs of men. Then we need to take hold of the living God just as Jacob did, and tell Him, "I will not let you go unless you bless me with a prayer ministry that will help others in the battle and bring glory to you" (Genesis 32:26). Then we need to move to spiritual or eternal matters and not be bogged down with the material or trivial -- which is so easy to do. Suppose that you have a loved one who is going through a difficult circumstance such as being thrown intot he lion's den or groing through the water or fire. As a rule, the thrust of our praying is for deliverance. Daniel was not kept out of the lion's den; he was kept in the lion's den. If we understand that we need to pray for spiritual lessons to be learned, we can pray that God will be glorified in the time of stress by the actions and reactions of our loved one. We can ask that he will receive God's more-than-ample provision as he learns the lessons God has in this trial. + Plus, listen to Karen Clark Sheard, singing "A Praying Spirit" |
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| PLAY | If There is No Appointed Time for Prayer, Soon There Will Be No Time at All for Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #35) | August 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Wesley. He said: “I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 26:41, which says: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." |
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| PLAY | Ask God to Bind Satan Through Prayer (Prayer Motivator Devotional #78) | August 23, 2011 |
| Our thought for today is that prayer can accomplish more than machines or material resources.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 4:2 which reads: "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Hudson Taylor. He said, "Since the days of Pentecost, has the whole church ever put aside every other work and waited upon Him for ten days, that the Spirit’s power might be manifested? We give too much attention to method and machinery and resources, and too little to the source of power." ASKING GOD TO BIND SATAN FROM OUR LIVES THROUGH PRAYER As Christians, we must learn to use the authority that we have in Christ to ask God specifically to bind the power of Satan. Matthew 18:18 reads, "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Mark 3:27 reads, "No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house." We are called of God to be conquerors in spiritual warfare on this earth. Ephesians 6:11-12 reads, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." James describes this warfare when he told us in James 4:7 to submit ourselves to God and to resist the devil so he will flee from us. This should not make us afraid; in fact, it should give us great encouragement in our role as intercessors. We have power in this warfare; the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is that power. Ephesians 6:10 reads, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." We must stand our ground in this spiritual battle with the authority given us by God. Strongholds cannot stand against our authority when it is properly wielded. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 reads, "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" Just as a policeman can stop or move traffic by a gesture of his hand, so we, in Christ's name, command spiritual powers. Through prayer (in His name -- by His authority -- based on His shed blood), believers can command evil powers that bind the souls of people to release their captives. Remember that Satan is perfectly defeated and greater is He who is in us than the one that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 tells us, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #34: Prayer Brings God’s Power Into Our Lives | August 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 1:6-7 which says: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Watchman Nee, who was a Chinese Christian author and church leader. He said, “Our prayers lay the track down which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails.” |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Place Where Burdens Change Shoulders (The Prayer Motivator Minute #32) | August 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross. He said, "Time spent alone with God is not wasted. It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 6:6 which says: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." |
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| PLAY | Take the Time to Pray Effectively (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #75) | August 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Luke 22:41 which reads: "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Carey. He said, "Prayer—secret, fervent, believing prayer—lies at the root of all personal godliness." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is that prayer takes time from J. Gordon Henry. Dr. Henry said: INVESTING THE NEEDED TIME TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY IS A NECESSITY There are three background areas that need a word. We will deal with the first one now. First, prayer takes time. During the past few days, I have been impressed with the necessity of investing the needed time to pray effectively. Somehow it is imperative that we understand that we will never be effective prayer warriors when we spend ten minutes in prayer and three hours watching a baseball game on the television. Unless there is willingness to set aside quality time for intercession, we will most likely make little difference as a prayer warrior. While it is true that everyone has as much time as anyone else, one of the subtle tactics of Satan is to assure us that we are too busy to spend much time in prayer. The amount of time we allow for prayer is an index of the real importance we attach to it. Some of us have become so engrossed on majoring on the minors that there is little time left for really important matters. + Plus, listen to the Mississippi Mass Choir singing "Don't Stop Praying" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Must Mean Something to Us if it is to Mean Anything to God (The Prayer Motivator Minute #31) | August 19, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Bonar. He said: “Oh brother, pray; in spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer; rather neglect friends than not pray; rather fast, and lose breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper— and sleep too—than not pray. And we must not talk about prayer, we must pray in right earnest. The Lord is near. He comes softly while the virgins slumber."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 5:16 which says: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." |
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| PLAY | Prayer Can Make the Difference in Our Nation (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #74) | August 19, 2011 |
| Our thought for today is that if we do not pray, we will not have the power of God in our lives.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 95:6 which reads: "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Evan Roberts. He said, "Prayer is the secret of power." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is the importance of praying for our nation from J. Gordon Henry. PRAYER CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR NATION Dr. Henry said: Are you as dismayed and shocked as I am about the organized effort to get rid of God in the United States to make us a completely secular, humanistic society? Committees of Correspondence are being organized across America to generate letters and opposition to all things Christian in education, in government, and in society in general. When the first negative Supreme Court rulings came during the Warren Court in the 1950s, Billy Graham noted that when a nation sows to the wind, it will reap a whirlwind. As we look at the wars, crime, drugs, immortality, and pornography being waged against America's moral values that have guided us historically, it is obvious that we are simply reaping what we have been sowing. As our moral code has disintegrated more and more with each passing year, there have been catastrophic results. |
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| PLAY | We Lie to God in Prayer if We Don't Rely on God After Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #30) | August 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Mueller. He said: “It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly, continue in prayer until we obtain an answer."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 5:13, which says: “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray." |
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| PLAY | Regular Prayer for Fellow Christians Will Help Keep them from Failing (The Prayer Motivator Devotional Broadcast #73) | August 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 46:10 which reads: "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Henry Drummond. He said, "Ten minutes spent in the presence of Christ every day, aye, two minutes, will make the whole day different." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is how we should pray for fellow Christians, not just in times of crisis, but everyday from J. Gordon Henry. Regular Prayer for Fellow Christians Will Help Keep them from Failing Dr. Henry said: So very often we hear about failure in individual Christian lives and in the church fellowship that can be traced back to failures in daily prayer and reading the Word. Sometimes, a prominent Christian leader loses his influence and brings dishonor to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Where are the prayer warriors who are placing a hedge of protection around fellow Christians? When we do pray for others, it is often crisis-oriented praying instead of ongoing steady praying. Think about your prayer life for fellow believers. Start with your immediate family and work beyond that. You can be sure if you are not praying for your spouse, your children, or your grandchildren, no one else is. As an intercessor, pray the Scripture truths that the Holy Spirit gives you in relationship to other believers. + Listen to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Helps You Deal with Difficult People (The Prayer Motivator Devotional Broadcast #72) | August 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 11:24 which reads: "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said, "A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is the importance of praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ from J. Gordon Henry. Dr. Henry writes: Sad to say, few Christians are prayed for regularly by anyone and that should not be so. Every local church needs to develop a prayer strategy whereby believers pray for one another by name and need. Paul illustrates this type of intercession when he told the Roman believers in Romans 1:8: "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." Prayer to God the Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son, for others - that is intecessory praying - and in the power of the Holy Spirit Who joins us as we begin to pray. A study of Paul's praying provides the primary direction for his praying -- which is quite foreign to what we pray for others. Ephesians 3:14-19 reads, "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Paul prays not for physical or material blessings, but for spiritual blessings. He prays that there may be spiritual strength, spiritual depth, spiritual perspective, and spiritual fullness. Think what a difference possessing these characteristics would make in a believer's life and in the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ. + Plus, listen to the Sensational Nightingales singing "Come, Ye Disconsolate" |
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| PLAY | The Melody of Prayer is Best Played With the Notes of Praise, Adoration, Confession, Requesting, and Thanksgiving (Prayer Motivator Minute #29) | August 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from David Smithers. He said: “Where there is no vision of eternity, there is no prayer for the perishing."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 4:3, which says: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." |
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| PLAY | Prayer Will Give You the Peace of God (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #68) | August 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 143:1 which says: "Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey. He said: "Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is how the Word of God aids us in praying to God from J. Gordon Henry. Dr. Henry writes: You can expect the Holy Spirit to draw you to the written Word of God. God speaks to us in His Book, the Bible. We learn to pray according to God's will in the Book in which His will is revealed. We hear, read, study, and memorize the Word so that we can meditate on the Word. Once the Word of God is in our minds, the Holy spirit can take it and bring it alive as we being to pray. Prayer becomes God-centered, rather than self-centered. The only way to renew our minds is through the Word of God. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Study carefully each Bible study related to prayer and the Word of God with anticipation. God is ready when we are! As you grow in your prayer life, you will actually begin to pray the Word of God for yourself and others. + Plus, Listen to Andre Crouch singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | God Not Only Prompts the Asking -- He Also Provides the Answer (Prayer Motivator Minute #28) | August 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon. He said: “Prayer does not influence God. Prayer surely does influence God. It does not influence His purpose. It does influence His action."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Hebrews 4:16, which says: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." |
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| PLAY | Praying is Hard; Living Without it is Harder (Prayer Motivator Minute #67) | August 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 143:1 which says: “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey. He said, “Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer." |
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| PLAY | The Holy Spirit Aids Us in Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #67) | August 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 66:17 which says: "I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.T. Pierson. He said: "The Word of God represents all the possibilities of God as at the disposal of true prayer." + Plus, Listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Won't Stop Praying" |
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| PLAY | People in Power Need the Power of Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #66) | August 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 66:17 which says: “I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.T. Pierson. He said, “The Word of God represents all the possibilities of God as at the disposal of true prayer." |
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| PLAY | God Wants Us to be Clean on the Inside When We Pray (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #66) | August 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Peter 4:7 which says: "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said: "Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father." + Plus, Listen to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing "I Can Go to God in Prayer" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is a Golden River at Whose Brink Some Die of Thirst While Others Kneel and Drink (Prayer Motivator Minute #27) | August 11, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Watchman Nee. He said, "Our prayers lay the track down which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 1:6-7 which says: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Work! (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #65) | August 11, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Luke 21:36 which says: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, the great Christian writer on the subject of prayer. He said: "The little estimate we put on prayer is evident from the little time we give to it." + Plus, Listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Measured Not by its Length, but by its Depth (Prayer Motivator Minute #26) | August 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Mary Warburton Booth. She said: “Depend upon it, if you are bent on prayer, the devil will not leave you alone. He will molest you, tantalize you, block you, and will surely find some hindrances, big or little or both. And we sometimes fail because we are ignorant of his devices…I do not think he minds our praying about things if we leave it at that. What he minds, and opposes steadily, is the prayer that prays on until it is prayed through, assured of the answer."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Timothy 2:8 which says: “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." |
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| PLAY | Make Time for Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #64) | August 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 6:7 which says: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross, a Christian writer. He said: "Make time to pray. The great freight and passenger trains are never too busy to stop for fuel. No matter how congested the yards may be, no matter how crowded the schedules are, no matter how many things demand the attention of the trainmen, those trains always stop for fuel." + Listen to "Standing in the Need of Prayer" by The New Life Community Choir |
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| PLAY | No One is Poor Who Can by Prayer Open the Storehouse of God (Prayer Motivator Minute #25) | August 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: “Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Timothy 2:1-4, which says: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." |
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| PLAY | Pray Before You Do Anything (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #63) | August 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 5:17 which says: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from someone who said: "One should never initiate anything that he cannot saturate with prayer." + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Not a Device for Getting Our Will Done in Heaven, but a Desire that God's Will be Done on Earth (Prayer Motivator Minute #24) | August 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Edward Payson. He said: “Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a minister. Pray, then my dear brother; pray, pray, pray!" Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which says: “Pray without ceasing." | ||
| PLAY | Prayer Keeps You in Touch with God (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #62) | August 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 27:7 which says: "Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Fredrik Wisloff, a Norwegian theologian and preacher. He said: "You may pray for an hour and still not pray. You may meet God for a moment and then be in touch with Him all day." + Plus, listen to The Miami Mass Choir singing "It's Praying Time" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Will Make a Man Stop Sinning, or Sin will Make a Man Stop Praying (Prayer Motivator Minute #23) | August 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Paul E. Billheimer. He said: “Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Colossians 4:2, which says: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Really All About Faith (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #61) | August 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a Christian pastor and author who served in South Africa for many years. He said: "Prayer is reaching out after the unseen."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 15:7 which says: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." + Plus, listen to The Mississippi Mass Choir singing "Don't Stop Praying" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Must Come Not From the Roof of the Mouth, but From the Root of the Heart (Prayer Motivator Minute #22) | August 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Tony Evans. He said, "A lot of Christians are trying to operate their spiritual lives the way I drive my car. They are running on fumes—trying to get somewhere for the Lord without using the fuel that provides the spark that energizes the power of God resident within us through the Holy Spirit."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Philippians 4:6, which says: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." |
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| PLAY | God is Always Listening When You Pray (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #60) | August 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Nehemiah 1:6 which says: "Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from T.D Jakes, pastor of The Potter's House in Dallas, TX and author of several bestselling book. He said: "There will always be situations and circumstances that you cannot change for yourself or for your children. There will always be something over which you are utterly powerless—and it may be something potentially devastating. In such moments of crisis, there is no substitute for prayer and there is no source of strength and comfort like prayer. Let your voice be heard in heaven—and let me assure you that God is listening when you pray." + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Prayin' for You" |
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| PLAY | Nothing is Discussed More and Practiced Less than Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #21) | August 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Chadwick, a Methodist pastor. He said: “There is no power like that of prevailing prayer, of Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat of blood. Add to this list from the records of the church your personal observation and experience, and always there is the cost of passion unto blood. Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Ephesians 6:18, which says: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. |
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| PLAY | Pray Until You Get an Answer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #59) | August 3, 2011 |
| Our thought for today is how we must take the time to pray no matter how long it takes until we get an answer from God.
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Whitefield, a Christian minister who God used mightily during the Great Awakening. He said: "Whole days and weeks have I spent prostrate on the ground in silent or vocal prayer."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Thessalonians 3:10 which says: "Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?" + Plus, listen to Dietrick Haddon singing "Won't Stop Praying" |
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| PLAY | Prayer Can Make Difficult Situations Seem Easy (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #58) | August 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 56:9 which says: "When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, a great Christian author who often wrote on the subject of prayer. He said: "Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God's saints have been held." + Plus, listen to Yolanda Adams singing "Just a Prayer Away" |
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| PLAY | Pray is One Four-letter Word You Can Use Anywhere (Prayer Motivator Minute #19) | August 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Corinthians 14:15, which says: “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon, a Christian minister and writer. He said: “Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty; stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Like a Computer -- You Can Only Get Out of it What You Put Into It (Prayer Motivator Minute #18) | August 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:26, which says: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a South African teacher, writer, and pastor. He said: “Time spent in prayer will yield more than that given to work. Prayer alone gives work its worth and its success. Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God's messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us." |
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| PLAY | Prayer: The Great Secret of a Happy Life (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #57) | August 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 42:4 which says: "When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept
holyday."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Law, a Christian writer and educator. He said: "He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life." + Plus, listen to Dorothy Norwood singing "It's Praying Time" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Not a Way of Getting What We Want, but the Way to Become What God Wants Us to Be (Prayer Motivator Minute #17) | July 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Laidlaw, a Christian minister. He said: “The main lesson about prayer is just this: Do it! Do it! Do it! You want to be taught to pray. My answer is pray and never faint, and then you shall never fail."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Luke 18:1, which says: “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." |
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| PLAY | Make a Point to Meet With God Through Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #56) | July 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Jude 1:20 which says: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Corrie ten Boom, who was a Dutch Christian Holocaust survivor who helped many Jews escape the Nazis during World War II. She said: "Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." + Plus, listen to Babbie Mason singing "Pray On" |
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| PLAY | Bending Our Knees in Prayer Keeps Us From Breaking Under the Load of Care (The Prayer Motivator Minute #16) | July 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, who is one of the men God used to impact my life on this important matter of prayer. He said, "Prayer is the greatest of all forces, because it honors God and brings him into active aid."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 14:13-14, which says: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." |
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| PLAY | Prayer Allows Us to Freely Communicate With God (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #55) | July 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:15 which says: "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a pastor and author. He said: "Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. God’s voice in response to mine is its most essential part." + Plus, listen to Andrae Crouch singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | An Important Part of Praying is a Willingness to be a Part of the Answer (The Prayer Motivator Minute #12) | July 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 11:24, which says: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a South African teacher, writer, and pastor. He said: “Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things ‘above all that we ask or think." |
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| PLAY | Prayer Keeps the Devil at Bay in Our Lives (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #54) | July 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 80:18 which says: "So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Cowper, an English poet. He said: "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees." + Plus, listen to Karen Clark Sheard singing "A Praying Spirit" |
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| PLAY | Nothing Makes Us Love Our Enemies as Much as Praying for Them (The Prayer Motivator Minute #11) | July 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 7: 11, which says: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is “God always answers our prayer. Either He changes the circumstances, or He supplies sufficient power to overcome them.” |
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| PLAY | Prayer Should be Simple and Full of Faith (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #53) | July 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 1:35 which says: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Joyce Meyer, a Christian Bible teacher, speaker, and bestselling author. She said: "Build your faith on the fact that humble, believing prayer is powerful. Believe that you can pray anywhere, anytime, about anything. Believe that your prayers don't have to be perfect or eloquent or long. Keep them simple and full of faith." + Plus, listen to John P. Kee singing "Praying For You" |
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| PLAY | Arguments Never Settle Things, but Prayer Changes Things (The Prayer Motivator Minute #10) | July 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 7:7-8, which says: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martin Luther King, Jr., a pastor and key leader in the civil rights movement. He said: “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." |
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| PLAY | The Importance of Humility in Prayer | July 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 15:16 which says: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, a great Christian author who often wrote on this important matter of prayer. He said: "God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil." Going forward, along with our thought for the day, we are going to be sharing a series of short devotional insights into prayer motivation from various sources. Today's devotional moment is about the importance of humility in prayer from Dr. J. Gordon Henry. + Plus, listen to Israel Houghton singing "Prayers of the Righteous" |
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| PLAY | The Best Way to Influence People for God is to Intercede With God for People (The Prayer Motivator Minute #13) | July 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey, an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. He said: “We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Zechariah 4:6, which says: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” |
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| PLAY | Prayer Can Bring Revival (The Prayer Motivator Devotional Broadcast #71) | July 22, 2011 |
| At this moment on this very day, are you standing between God and someone else? Could it be that God wonders where the intercessors are for the millions of people in the United States? Through intercessory prayer, power will be focused on individuals in a way that will break down barriers. Recently, I heard of an incident in a church that well illustrates the relationship of prayer and power. As the organist began to play to begin a Sunday morning service, no sound of music came forth from the instrument. The time necessary for the repair was estimated and a note was sent to the pastor that read: "The power will be on after your morning prayer." Prayer indeed makes the difference between operating in man's power or God's power. | ||
| PLAY | You Can Turn Any Care Into Prayer Anywhere (The Prayer Motivator Minute #15) | July 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Sidlow Baxter, a pastor, theologian, and author of over 30 books. He said: “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Luke 11:1, which says: “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Standing in the Gap for Others (The Prayer Motivator Devotional Broadcast #70) | July 21, 2011 |
| Our thought for today is how prayer activates the power of God in our lives.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 7:7 which says: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Tony Evans, who is a dynamic Christian preacher in Dallas, TX and president of the Urban Alternative. He said, "A lot of Christians are trying to operate their spiritual lives the way I drive my car. They are running on fumes—trying to get somewhere for the Lord without using the fuel that provides the spark that energizes the power of God resident within us through the Holy Spirit." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is that intercession is standing in the gap for others from J. Gordon Henry. Dr. Henry writes: Isaiah 59:16 says, "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." A good way to get your brain in gear is to ask yourself to recall what the Holy Spirit has taught you. What is it you have now learned about prayer from these daily devotions? Think about it. As Jack Taylor has said, "No believer's practice of prayer will rise to stay above his view of prayer -- thus the need to constantly keep a proper perspective on prayer. We will continue our devotion today on intercession. An intercessor is one who stands between God and people, circumstances, and nations. The picture is God in Heaven and people on earth with a believer interceding -- serving as a go-between. All of us need the support of intercessors; in addition, every believer needs to be an intercessor. This is the work that must be done in order for the other efforts to serve the Lord to make any difference. + Plus, listen to Brian Free and Assurance singing "Praying Man" |
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| PLAY | Are You Ready to Go to Work in Prayer? (The Prayer Motivator Devotional Broadcast #69) | July 20, 2011 |
| Our thought for today is we should not use prayer as a last resort, but as a first resort.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 12:12 which says: "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Corrie ten Boom. She said: "Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" Our prayer motivator devotional for today is are you ready to go to work in prayer from J. Gordon Henry. Dr. Henry said: Intercession is the part of prayer that brings the greatest results and dividends. It is the most neglected part of prayer because we are not on praying ground. Once we are clean, we can go to WORK. We will then "stir ourselves" to lay hold on God. Isaiah 64:7 says, "And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities." There will be movement, effort and discipline --- there will be WORK. It is absolutely necessary for us to WORK if we are going to make progress toward being a prayer warrior. There are some things that God does not do for us; rather, He waits until we do them. We put food, water, and oxygen into our bodies. There follows a process of manufacturing energy from these ingredients. We then expend that energy. Most of the energy is spent on activities that really don't matter at all yet they take our time and resources. Twenty-four hours after we do them, it doesn't matter if we did them at all. If we are going to use our energy on things that do matter, it will be because we have made up our minds to do so. THE MAIN THING IS TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING! The less we pray for ourselves and the more we pray for others, the nearer we approach Christlikeness. + Plus, listen to the Chicago Mass Choir singing "Prayer Will Fix It" |
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| PLAY | When it Seems Hardest to Pray, We Should Pray the Hardest (The Prayer Motivator Minute #14) | July 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a South African teacher, writer, and pastor. He said: “Many Christians backslide...They are unable to stand against the temptations of the world, or of their old nature. They strive to do their best to fight against sin, and to serve God, but they have no strength. They have never really grasped the secret: The Lord Jesus will every day from heaven continue His work in me. But on one condition—the soul must give Him time each day to impart His love and his grace. Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indispensable condition of growth and power."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is 2 Chronicles 7:15, which says: “Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place." |
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| PLAY | The Shortest Distance Between a Problem and a Solution is the Distance Between Your Knees and the Floor (Prayer Motivator Minute #70) | July 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Kings 8:22 which says: "And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said, “A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men." |
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| PLAY | If You Don't Have Time to Pray and Read the Scriptures, You are Busier than God Ever Intended You to Be (Prayer Motivator Minute #69) | July 14, 2011 |
| If you don't have time to pray and read the Scriptures, you are busier than God every intended you to be.
This is Daniel Whyte III with the Prayer Motivator Minute here to remind you that there is still great power in prayer to God Almighty.
Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 50:15 which says: “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.T. Pierson. He said, “There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Getting Down to the Business of Asking (Part 3) (Part 3) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #125) | July 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 18:19 which reads: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from Sadhu Sundar Singh. He said, "Prayer is not a painful effort to gain from God help in the varying needs of our lives. Prayer is the desire to possess God Himself, the Source of all life. The true spirit of prayer does not consist in asking for blessings, but in receiving Him who is the giver of all blessings, and in living a life of fellowship with Him." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAYER IS NOT NECESSARILY PRAISE, ADORATION, MEDITATION, HUMILIATION NOR CONFESSION, BUT ASKING from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Again let me press upon your heart and mind that prayer is asking, and not anything else. Prayer is not praise, though praise is blessed. Psalm 50:23 says, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God." Psalm 150:6 says, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." David said in Psalm 103:1, "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." Praise is blessed. It is the duty of every grateful heart. But we must remember that praise is not prayer and prayer is not praise. Prayer is asking. Prayer is not adoration. Adoration is good. We ought to adore Him whom the angels adore. But adoration is not prayer, and prayer is not adoration. Prayer is always asking. It is not anything else but asking. Prayer is not meditation. It is proper to meditate day and night in the Word of God. Quiet devotion and meditating upon the Word of God and upon the Lord's blessings are fine. Every Christian ought to take such times for meditation. But remember that that is not prayer. The Bible never calls it prayer, and we sin against God and misuse the Scriptures and pervert the truth, when we call such things prayer. Prayer is not meditation. Prayer is asking. Humiliation is not prayer, though it is certainly proper for Christians to humble themselves before God. James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." And we are told in Luke 18:14 that, "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." But humiliation is not prayer. The Bible expressly separates them. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray." So humiliation is one thing, and prayer is another thing. Humiliation is preparation for prayer, perhaps, and humiliation is always proper in a Christian. But humility and humiliation are not prayer. Prayer is asking. Even confession is not strictly prayer. It is proper for Christians to confess their sins, and the Bible many times commands it; but confession is one thing, and prayer is another. In Daniel 9:4, Daniel tells us, "And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession." Daniel both prayed and made confession. If you will read through that long passage which tells us of Daniel's prayer and confession together, you will find that much of it is confession but that after confession came the brokenhearted requests of Daniel 9:16-19 that God would turn His anger and fury away from Jerusalem and forgive the sins of His people and restore the nation and the holy city, Jerusalem, and the temple. Confession is proper, but confession, strictly speaking, is not prayer. Prayer is ASKING. And asking is prayer, and nothing else is really prayer. In Philippians 4:6 the Lord says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Note that prayer is one thing and that thanksgiving is a separate thi |
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| PLAY | Pray as if Everything Depended on God; Act as if Everything Depended on You (Prayer Motivator Minute #68) | July 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Romans 12:12 which says: “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Corrie ten Boom. She said, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Getting Down to the Business of Asking (Part 2) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #124) | July 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Hebrews 7:25 which reads: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Our prayer motivator quote today is from S.D. Gordon. He said, "It may sound strange, but in its simplest meaning prayer has to do with conflict. Rightly understood it is the deciding factor in a spirit conflict...Prayer is man giving God a footing on the contested territory of this earth." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is part 2 of yesterday's broadcast titled PRAYER IS GETTING DOWN TO THE BUSINESS OF ASKING from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... There are two principal words in the Greek New Testament translated 'ask'. One of the words 'eperoto', which means 'to ask, to crave, to desire, to call for,' always meaning 'asking for something'. I have just counted about 30 times that this word is used about prayer in the New Testament. And it is properly translated 'ask'. Modernists do not believe that prayer really changes things. So the modernist does not accept the plain Bible teaching that prayer is asking and the answer is receiving, that prayer is seeking and the answer is finding, that prayer is knocking and the answer is that God opens the door --- the Bible doctrine that God is primarily "thou that hearest prayer", and that He is "a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him". And since they do not believe the Bible doctrine that prayer is asking and that God really answers, that prayer really changes things, modernists and unbelievers teach that prayer is largely a meditation and communion. At most, the modernist believes only that prayer can do some good inside us, that it is a spiritual enjoyment. And so modernists discourage concrete requests and call such prayer selfish. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, a noted modernist, in his book "The Meaning of Prayer" says, "There are some who still think of prayer in terms of childish supplications to a divine Santa Claus." And again he says, "Many foolish prayers are offered by the well-meaning but unintelligent with the excuse that they are childlike in their simple trust...To pray to God as though He were Santa Claus is childish." "Childishness in prayer is chiefly evidenced in an overweening desire to beg things from God." Then this unbeliever, who denies that Jesus was the virgin-born One, paying for our sins, denies the veracity of the Bible, prates about prayer as 'friendship with God'. To the modernist prayer is nice but does not get things from God. Prayer does not change things. And many Bible believers fall into this snare, this doctrine that prayer is merely spiritual fellowship, that we do not really get things from God but that after we pray we feel stronger to get them for ourselves or are perhaps resigned to do without them! How far is this from the Bible teaching on prayer! I once visited a home in Chicago where for purposes of exercise they had an "electric horse". As a horseman of long experience in my youth, I was asked to ride the electric horse. I got on, pressed the button, and presto, galloped and galloped, arms flapping, coattail waving! The action was a fine imitation of the gallop of a horse. But it was only an imitation after all, for I pressed the button, the galloping stopped, and I got off exactly where I got on! I had not been anywhere at all! And that is exactly like the prayer of a modernist, purely for exercise and not to get things from a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God! Prayer is not meditation, not adoration, not even communion in the ordinary sense. Prayer is asking God for something. + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Getting Down to the Business of Asking (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #123) | July 12, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Luke 9:28 which reads: "And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he [Jesus] took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Leonard Ravenhill. He said, "Prayer is as vast as God because He is behind it. Prayer is as mighty as God, because He has committed Himself to answer it." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAYER IS ASKING from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Matthew 7:7 reads, "Ask, and it shall be given you." Verse 8 states, "For every one that asketh receiveth." John 16:24 states, "Ask, and ye shall receive. James 4:2 says, "Ye have not, because ye ask not," Matthew 7:11 states, "How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 21:22 reads, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Luke 11:13 states, "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" John 14:14 says, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." Although surrounded much of the time by a wife, six daughters and a number of secretaries, I am continually astonished at the ways of women. When I was first married, my wife and a young lady friend insisted on going "window-shopping". Since I was broke, I felt a great deal of unease about the proposal, until I learned that they did not plan to buy anything: they were merely going to "shop". And gradually I learned that a woman can shop half of a day without really expecting to bring anything home! And so it is that people often "pray". They "pray" and "pray" but do not get anything; indeed, they do not expect to get anything. That is not the reason they "pray". But though they call it praying, really it is not real prayer if it does not come with a definite petition, asking something from God. My wife and daughters do not see how I get any fun out of buying shoes. I walk into a certain chain shoe store and order a conservative-style, low-quarter shoe in black calf, size ten, like others I have worn before, have my old shoes wrapped up, and walk out. The whole transaction takes about ten minutes. I go after shoes of a certain kind and get them and go home. I do not "shop", in the woman's understanding of the term. Rather, I buy. And that is what prayer is. Prayer is asking something definitely from God. Notice again the Scriptures in Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Prayer, then, is asking. Or in other words, it is seeking and knocking. One who prays is expecting to receive. One who knocks is expecting something opened. One who seeks is expecting to find something. That is what the Bible says prayer is, really: asking, seeking, knocking. Real prayer is asking for something. In James 4:2-3, the Scripture says, "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." Christians have not because they ask not, and they have not because they ask amiss. That Scripture says that it is not fighting or warring or desiring or worrying, but it is asking that gets things from God. Praying is asking. +Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray?" |
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| PLAY | Through Prayer, 'Whosoever Shall Call Upon the Name of the Lord Shall be Saved' (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #122) | July 11, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is 2 Chronicles 7:1 which reads: "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Corrie ten Boom. He said, "What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled THROUGH PRAYER, 'WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED' from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... In Romans 10:13 we are told that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." A lost sinner, then, may pray to God for salvation. So, in Luke 18, we see the poor publican beating upon his breast and crying out, "God be merciful to me a sinner," and see him going down to his house justified, saved that very day. Thus, we read the sweet story of the dying thief who turned to Jesus, on the cross beside him, and said, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." And we hear the sweet promise of the Saviour beside him, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." So lost sinners have a right to pray, and everyone who genuinely calls on the Lord for salvation will be saved. Of course, it is made clear in the Bible many, many times that heart-faith is the deciding factor in salvation. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," said Paul and Silas to the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Whosoever believeth in Him (God's only begotten Son) should not perish, but have everlasting life." Again, Jesus said in John 6:47, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." One who puts his trust in Christ is saved, instantly, has everlasting life. So it is clear that no one has to go through a formal prayer in order to be saved. There need not be words aloud; there need not be any of what people generally call prayer. Faith is a turning in the heart to depend on Christ. And God hears the faintest cry of the heart without a whisper of breath, without a moving of the lips. But often the trembling steps of faith are taken with more ease when one prays, consciously putting into words his cry for mercy, his dependence. How many sinners have been able to trust the Lord with more assurance when they put into words the plea of the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner." So, dear friend, if you who are listening to this are unsaved, feel perfectly free to call on God for mercy and forgiveness, and be assured that God will hear, that He does hear, that He has heard already, when you call on Him for forgiveness and salvation. Anyone who has faith enough to ask God sincerely for mercy and forgiveness has faith enough to be sure God has heard him, for Jesus said in John 6:37, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." And any sinner may claim the sweet promise that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Let us review the seven reasons why we ought to prayer: (1) It is commanded plainly of God that Christians ought to pray always about everything and about everybody, with all prayer and supplication; (2) Prayer is God's appointed way for Christians to get things; (3) Prayer is the way for Christians to have fullness of joy; (4) Prayer is God's cure for worry, the way out of trouble and anxious care; (5) Answered prayer is God's way of stopping the mouths of unbelievers, God's unanswerable argument against infidelity; (6) Prayer is the way to have the power of the Holy Spirit for God's blessed work; (7) "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Therefore, beloved brethren, let us pray! Oh, how many and how weighty are the reasons that Christians should pray! + Plus, listen to the Chicago Mass Choir singing "P |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Only Way to Have the Power of the Holy Spirit for God's Work (Part 2) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #121) | July 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is John 16:24 which reads: "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Henry Blackaby. He said, "Prayer influences men by influencing God to influence them." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is part 2 of yesterday's broadcast titled PRAYER IS THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR GOD'S WORK from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... I want you to notice these Bible instances of where people prayed for the power of the Holy Spirit. 1. Before Pentecost the disciples prayed in Acts 1:13-14, "And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." Following this season of prayer and supplication the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples at Pentecost, and three thousand people were saved and baptized. 2. After Pentecost the disciples needed again to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so they prayed. Acts 4:31 says, "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." Please compare Acts 2:4 and Acts 4:31. You will find that these nine words are in both verses exactly alike, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." They prayed before Pentecost, and the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them. They prayed after Pentecost, and the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them. Prayer was necessary after Pentecost the same as before and brought the same results after Pentecost as before. 3. At Samaria, Philip preached and there were many truly converted. But the power of the Holy Spirit for witnessing and soul winning did not come upon the converts until after prayer. Acts 8:14-16 says, "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)" Be sure to note the distinction the Scripture makes between the Holy Spirit's being 'in' a Christian and the Holy Spirit's being 'on' a Christian. 'In' refers to the indwelling which these disciples already had, as every Christian has had since the day Jesus rose from the dead. 'On' means the power of the Holy Spirit's coming upon a Christian for service. Note that these people received the Holy Spirit, His power for service after prayer! 4. Paul the apostle was filled with the Holy Spirit three days after his conversion, and that in answer to prayer. Acts 9:3-6 tells how Saul as converted on the road to Damascus. He called Jesus "Lord" and said, "What wilt thou have me to do?" But yet Paul went three days without eating or drinking, in constant prayer. What was Paul praying for? The answer is given in Acts 9:17, which says, "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost after three days of fasting and prayer. Then he "straightway" began his preaching ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. 5. Paul and Barnabas were especially filled with the Holy Spirit for their missionary journey in answer to prayer. In Acts 13:1-4 we have t |
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| PLAY | Instead of Praying for God to Change Things, Situations, and People, Pray, 'Lord, Change Me.' (Prayer Motivator Minute #65) | July 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is 1 Peter 4:7 which says: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, “Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father." |
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| PLAY | Nothing Lies Outside the Reach of Prayer Except That Which is Out of the Will of God (Prayer Motivator Minute #64) | July 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Luke 21:36 which says: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, “The little estimate we put on prayer is evident from the little time we give to it." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Only Way to Have the Power of the Holy Spirit for God's Work (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #120) | July 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Philippians 4:6 which reads: "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAYER IS THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR GOD'S WORK from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... As D.L. Moody well said, it is foolish and wicked to try to do God's work without God's power. But there is no way for Christians to have God's power except by prayer. In Luke 11:13 is this plain promise, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Here the Lord is not speaking about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes in the human body to dwell at conversion. Ever since Jesus Christ rose from the dead, breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost", Christians have the Holy Spirit abiding in them. Every saved person has the Holy Spirit living in his body as a temple. But Jesus in Luke 11:13 meant that God will give the Holy Spirit in soul-winning power to those that ask Him. In the same passage, He gives a parable of a man who goes to a friend at midnight, saying unto him, "Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him." And Jesus said that this man, longing to have bread for a friend, got it only by importunity. And so Jesus teaches us here that a Christian who longs to have the bread of life for an unsaved friend may get it by begging God for it. And then Jesus explains the point of the whole parable by this blessed promise, "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" We may have bread for sinners if we beg God for it, and in no other way! "Importunity," Jesus said, was the way a man got bread from a friend for another poor hungry friend. It has always been true that revivals came in answer to prayer. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promised a blessed revival "if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways." The Prophet Habakkuk prayed, "O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years." He knew that revivals come in answer to prayer. But what is a revival? Is it not simply that God puts His power upon His ministers and upon His people, and the Holy Spirit of God does His work in blessing the saints and in convicting and saving sinners? So the secret of power on personal soul-winning effort is in prayer. The secret of revival is prayer. If any Christian longs to have personal, definite enduement of power, the power of the Holy Spirit, then this is the way to have it. Let him seek God's face in prayer with whatever confession and self-judgment and heart-surrender are necessary as he waits on God, until the Spirit of God can fill him and use him. + Plus, listen to Hillsong singing "Our Father" |
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| PLAY | Answered Prayer is the Only Unanswerable Argument Against Skepticism, Unbelief, Modernism, Post-Modernism and Infidelity (Part 3) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #119) | July 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is James 4:8 which reads: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Chadwick. He said, "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is part 3 of yesterday's broadcast titled ANSWERED PRAYER IS THE ONLY UNANSWERABLE ARGUMENT AGAINST SKEPTICISM, UNBELIEF, MODERNISM, POST-MODERNISM AND INFIDELITY - Part 3 - from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Acts 13:6-12 is the story of how Sergius Paulus, a deputy of the island of Cyprus, was wonderfully converted when he saw the answer to Paul's prayer (the prayer is implied but not given), for the blinding of Elymas the sorcerer. Verse 12 says, "Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord." We had as well face this question squarely. When the churches of our land again see the startling conversions of drunkards and harlots, with lives transformed, then sinners will come to church and will listen respectfully to the Word of God. And when God's people pray for and get the healing of the sick, get rain when they need it, get jobs, get daily bread, get revivals, all in answer to prayer, then modernism and atheism will lose their hold on the minds of the mass of people in America, and even the unconverted will believe that there is a miracle-working God who answers prayer. We ought to pray and have our prayers answered as the definite, powerful antidote for unbelief, the only unanswerable argument against atheism and infidelity. It is not always God's will to heal the sick. It was not always His will to heal the sick in Bible times. But He healed the sick often enough to prove that He was the prayer-hearing God. God did not save every sinner under the ministry of Paul, and He will not save every sinner under the ministry of anybody else. But God was willing to save the most outrageous sinners, and in Bible times He did save them by His wonderful stretched-out hand in such fashion as to convince the gainsayers. And God will do the same today and prove His power the same today if we trust Him. Even in Bible times, miracles were never a common thing, a play thing of the careless and a reward of the curious. No, no! Miracles in physical matters were always rare and were given only as they could honor the Lord. But God gave faith for them often enough to prove that He is the miracle-working, prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. And He will do the same today for those who diligently seek Him and give Him a chance to prove Himself. Bu this does not apply to physical miracles. God proves Himself abundantly by saving the souls of those for whom we pray, by giving revivals, by providing for daily needs, by giving peace, by giving wisdom to meet daily problems, by giving fullness of joy and the power of the Holy Spirit. We should pray, then, because answered prayer proves there is a prayer-hearing God. It is the positive antidote for doubt and skepticism, unbelief or even atheism. + Plus, listen to Brian Free singing "A Praying Man" |
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| PLAY | Strength in Prayer is Better Than Length in Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #63) | July 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Matthew 6:7 which says: “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross. He said: “Make time to pray. The great freight and passenger trains are never too busy to stop for fuel. No matter how congested the yards may be, no matter how crowded the schedules are, no matter how many things demand the attention of the train men, those trains always stop for fuel." |
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| PLAY | Let Your Prayer be Without Words Rather Than Your Words Being Without Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #62) | July 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is James 5:17 which says: “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is "One should never initiate anything that he cannot saturate with prayer." |
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| PLAY | Answered Prayer is the Only Unanswerable Argument Against Skepticism, Unbelief, Modernism, Post-Modernism and Infidelity (Part 2) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #118) | July 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Romans 8:15 which reads: "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "True prayer is measured by weight, not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is part 2 of our last broadcast titled PRAYER IS THE ONLY UNANSWERABLE ARGUMENT AGAINST SKEPTICISM, UNBELIEF, MODERNISM, POST-MODERNISM AND INFIDELITY - Part 2 - from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Until God's people can have definite, remarkable, provable answers to prayer, then we had as well expect that our young people will grow up doubting that there is a miracle-working, prayer-hearing, and prayer-answering God. The remedy for unbelief is that God's people will pray and have their prayers answered. All your arguments against modernism, evolution, and atheism, will fall on deaf ears if along with your argument you cannot give some definite proof in answered prayer. If Christianity is the true religion and if God be a miracle-working, prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God, then the unsaved world has a right to demand that we prove it by having our prayers answered. How doubts would flee away if we should begin to pray boldly and definitely and expect God to give concrete and specific answers to our prayers day by day! Notice the power of the argument of Gideon in Judges 6:12-13: "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." With good reason, Gideon answered back to the angel of the Lord and said, "If the Lord be with us, why is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?" Gideon felt with reason that if God was with him, he must have the evidence that God would show Himself and prove Himself by answered, definite, concrete manifestations of his power, in answer to prayer. And God did not scorn the plea of Gideon. God did not say, as so many of our beloved but powerless Bible teachers today say, that miracles are all for the past and not for the present. Rather, God was delighted that Gideon demanded evidence of His power. God showed the miracle of fire to consume the offering Gideon brought; He made the fleece first dry and then wet, answering Gideon's prayer. God is perfectly willing to prove that He is the prayer-hearing and the prayer-answering God. And that is the only real remedy for unbelief and atheism. In Egypt, after God had done for Moses what they could not do with all their enchantment, Exodus 8:19 tells us, "Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God." A definite answer to prayer convinced these godless, heathen magicians. God answered Daniel's prayer and revealed to him the dream of Nebuchadnezzar; then Nebuchadnezzar was convinced and fell on his face, and he said in Daniel 2:47, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret." Later God revealed to Daniel the other dream of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4, foretelling how the king would live as a beast for seven years. And when the king recovered from his insanity and returned to his throne and glory, the Scriptures indicate that he was truly converted to God. Answered prayer is a cure for unb |
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| PLAY | True Prayer is a Way of Life, Not Just an Emergency Detour (Prayer Motivator Minute #61) | July 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 27:7 which says: “Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Fredrik Wisloff. He said: “You may pray for an hour and still not pray.You may meet God for a moment and then be in touch with Him all day." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Only Unanswerable Argument Against Skepticism, Unbelief, Modernism, Post-Modernism and Infidelity (Part 1) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #117) | July 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Daniel 9:18 which reads: "O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from a man known as the Kneeling Christian. He said, "The secret of all failure is our failure in secret prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAYER IS THE ONLY UNANSWERABLE ARGUMENT AGAINST SKEPTICISM, UNBELIEF, MODERNISM, POST-MODERNISM AND INFIDELITY - Part 1 - from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... "Without faith it is impossible to please him," says Hebrews 11:6. And what is faith? "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Thus Hebrews 11:6 tells us that no one can come to God unless he believes that God answers prayer. And what is the answer, then, to infidelity and atheism and modernism? How can we convince those who do not believe in our God? Why, by having our prayers answered, by having such unmistakable answers to prayer as to prove that there is a prayer-answering and prayer-hearing God! The way to answer infidelity is to let God prove Himself by answering prayers. Argument is sometimes necessary. The Bible proves itself the Word of God. All nature declares there is a God. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." There are many, many evidences that there is a God who answers prayer. But the only absolutely unanswerable evidence is answered prayer itself. I can know there is a God who answers prayer if I see the answers to prayer so unmistakably that I cannot doubt. Thus at Mount Carmel, Elijah gathered the people of Israel together to prove to them that the Lord was the true God and that the idol Baal was no God who could see or hear or help. When the 450 prophets of Baal cried in vain to their god and he could not answer by fire from Heaven, Elijah built an altar, laid thereon the wood and the bullock, put no fire under, and poured over it 12 barrels of water; and then he prayed that God would send fire from Heaven in the sight of all the people to burn up the sacrifice and prove that He was God. Elijah's prayer was this in 1 Kings 18:36-37, "And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again." Analyze that prayer carefully, and you will see it is a plea that God will prove Himself God by answering prayer. And when the answer should come it would not only prove God is the true God, but it would prove that Elijah was His servant and that Elijah's message was from God. And so the answer came. 1 Kings 18:38 tells us, "Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." And what was the result? What did this answer of prayer do to the infidelity of the people? Verse 39 tells us, "When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God." A visible, definite answer of prayer, in a moment of time, did away with all infidelity of the people, and the whole nation fell on their faces saying, "The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God!" We ought to pray, then, because God's answer to prayer is proof that can put to rout all the modernism and unbelief. + Plus, listen to Le |
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| PLAY | While Prayer Ascends, God's Mercy Descends (Prayer Motivator Minute #60) | June 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is John 15:7 which says: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said: “Prayer is reaching out after the unseen." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Way Out of All Trouble, and is the Cure for All Worry (Part 2) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #116) | June 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Acts 6:4 which reads: "We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "If the spiritual life be healthy, under the full power of the Holy Spirit, praying without ceasing will be natural." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is Part 2 of yesterday's broadcast titled PRAYER IS THE WAY OUT OF ALL TROUBLE, AND IS THE CURE FOR ALL WORRY AND ANXIETY from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Have you been delivered from all your troubles? Are you continually, day by day, being delivered every time you need deliverance from trouble and worry and care? You CAN have this deliverance, this peace, this quietness, this freedom from worry. And the way to have it is to pray, to pray about everything, to pray through until you get the peace which God has promised, and then, free of all anxious care, daily end in thanksgiving! Dr. Walter Lewis Wilson, the beloved physician-preacher, said that years ago he had a motto painted and hung by his desk which said, "Why pray when you can worry?" That expresses the attitude of heart of the average Christian. He worries instead of prays. But prayer is the way to end worries. Prayer is the way to constant peace under any circumstance, anywhere. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean that a Christian will never have trouble. But in the trouble he can have the sweetest peace all the time. I do not mean that a Christian will never be sick. But in the sickness he can have the ever-present nearness, consciously, of the Holy Spirit. I do not mean that a Christian will never have any problems. But I mean that he can daily take those problems to God and have them settled, without any fret, without any of the unrest that comes from unbelief. A Christian can take his burdens to the Lord and leave them there day by day and have perfect peace. And the only way he can do this is by prayer, regular prayer with supplication and thanksgiving about every problem. Are you burdened? Then pray your way out! What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear And what a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! A Christian can make such a habit of praying about every need,every burden, every fret, every care, every problem until he can obey the command of the Saviour in Matthew 6:25 to "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" and again in Matthew 6:31, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" The heathen people seek after these things, are worried and fretted by these problems, but the Christian has a beloved heavenly Father to whom he can take all his burdens and can seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that all these things shall be added unto him, as promised in Matthew 6:33. And thus by daily praying through problems as they come, one can learn to "take therefore no thought for the morrow," but have perfect peace. Prayer is the way out of trouble, and the way to do away with worries and anxiety. Therefore, let us pray! |
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| PLAY | Anything Worth Worrying About is Worth Praying About (Prayer Motivator Minute #59) | June 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Nehemiah 1:6 which says: “Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from T.D. Jakes. He said: “There will always be situations and circumstances that you cannot change for yourself or for your children. There will always be something over which you are utterly powerless—and it may be something potentially devastating. In such moments of crisis, there is no substitute for prayer and there is no source of strength and comfort like prayer. Let your voice be heard in heaven—and let me assure you that God is listening when you pray." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Way Out of All Trouble, and is the Cure for All Worry (Part 1) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #115) | June 29, 2011 |
| Be careful for nothing," says the Scripture! Christians should not be full of care or anxious over anything. And the remedy is, "In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." A Christian is to "pray through" about everything; thus, day by day he continually has his cares and worries dissolved away, and his heart is left in perfect peace all the time! For God promises to those who bring everything to Him in prayer with supplication and thanksgiving that "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. | ||
| PLAY | Prayer is a Time of Exposure of the Soul to God (Prayer Motivator Minute #58) | June 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Matthew 7:7 which says: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Whitefield. He said: “Whole days and weeks have I spent prostrate on the ground in silent or vocal prayer." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is God's Way for Christians to Have Fullness of Joy (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #114) | June 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is Psalm 118:5 which reads: "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J.H. Jowett. He said, "I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAYER IS GOD'S WAY FOR CHRISTIANS TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Christians ought to be happy. Christians ought to have their wants satisfied. Christians ought not to live defeated, unhappy lives, tormented by needs which cannot be met. So God has appointed that Christians can have fullness of joy all the time by having their prayers answered. In John 16:24, Jesus said, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." Imagine, if you will, a child whose father loves him so much that he can come day by day and ask his father for anything he needs. If the child in his ignorance asks for something that would cause him trouble and sorrow, the father very carefully explains and teaches the child what would be best, and then teaches him to ask for something far better than that for which he had intended to ask. Thus the child has every desire granted and lives in a blessed state of happiness and joy because his father delights to give him the desires of his heart. Or imagine a young wife, married to a rich husband who so loves her and delights in her that he gives her everything for which she expresses a desire. Her life is filled with happiness because her husband loves her so much and gives her all the things for which her heart craves. And that is what God wants to do for His children, only He can do infinitely more. The father cannot change the heart attitude of his child, and so a rich father often finds that his son grows indolent and unprincipled, and the father's wealth proves a curse to his son. But God can teach His children and lead them by the Holy Spirit to pray for the things that will bring fullness of joy and no curse. Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." And a young husband has many times spent thousands of dollars trying to make his wife happy; but he could not give health, nor could he give the baby that she desired, nor could he give contentment of mind in the midst of the giddy round of social affairs. So no father and no husband can give fullness of joy. But thank God, that is just exactly what our heavenly Father says He wants to do for us. He wants to give us all we ask, and even help us ask aright. We are to ask and receive so our joy will be full. Prayer, then, is the secret of constant joy, the secret really of FULLNESS OF JOY. A rich, full life for a Christian depends on how much and how he prays. If you get on such praying ground that you can get things from God, get all the desires of your heart, get all that you need, then day by day you can live a victorious, happy life. The way to be happy and full of joy is to pray. Prayer is the secret of fullness of joy, and for that reason Christians should pray. + Plus, listen to The Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | More is Said About Prayer and Less Done About it Than Any Other Subject in the Bible (Prayer Motivator Minute #57) | June 27, 2011 |
| I like what Teresa Hairston said, "Let's pray about it and then be about it."
Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Psalm 56:9 which says: “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: “Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God's saints have been held." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is God’s Appointed Way for Christians to Get Things in Life (Part 2) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #113) | June 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is 1 Samuel 12:23 which reads: "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Chadwick. He said, "Prayer is the acid test of devotion." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is a continuation from our last broadcast titled PRAYER IS GOD'S APPOINTED WAY FOR CHRISTIANS TO GET THINGS - Part 2 from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... We must remember that God can use means. God can use medicines and doctors to heal the sick. Luke was "the beloved physician". Timothy was commanded to "use a little wine for thy stomach's sake." King Hezekiah was healed when Isaiah commanded him to place a lump of figs on the boil, which was about to kill him. God can use means, and He may answer our prayers by using human means. He may use an employment agency to give us a job by our diligent application and seeking. He may use our hard work on the farm to make a crop. Certain it is that when God takes charge, He can bring the results out of our poor labors. But remember this, that God does not always use human means. Sometimes through ways utterly unexpected and without human intermentalities, God chooses to work His will in answer to prayer. God can heal the sick without medicine, and sometimes He delights to do it that way in answer to prayer. God can give jobs where you do not have an application in. God can send money that you didn't earn. How well I know, thank God, from blessed experiences that this is true! But the point is that whether God uses well-known means or does it by ways utterly unexpected or even by ways impossible with men, still it is God who gives what we need. And the way for us to get what we need is to ask for it. Praying is God's appointed way for a Christian to have what he needs and what he wants. Every other way may fail. "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not." Suppose there are two men in conversation, one a lost man, the other a saved man, a child of God. The unconverted man says, "These are surely hard times. I can't get a job. I have walked until my feet are sore. I have answered all the advertisements. I just don't get the breaks." And suppose the Christian man answered, "Yes, these surely are hard times. I have walked until my feet are sore too. I have answered all the advertisements in the papers, and yet I can't find a job. You are right. A poor man just doesn't have a chance these days." God forbid! Has the Christian no more resources than a lost man? What good is it to be a Christian if you have no one to answer your prayers, no one to care for your needs, no one to give you what you want! There is no joy, there is no testimony, there is no victory in that kind of Christianity. Thank God a Christian can confidently pray and say, "My Father, You know I need a job. Everything in the world is in Your hands. So I ask You to give me, Your child, a job so I can have daily bread, so I can care for my family, so I can give to others, and so others may know that God takes care of His children." And for millions, God has answered such prayers. + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Trouble Will Drive You to Prayer, and Prayer Will Drive Away the Trouble (Prayer Motivator Minute #56) | June 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God for today is Psalm 42:4 which says: “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Law. He said: “He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life." |
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| PLAY | Prayer is God's Appointed Way for Christians to Get Things (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #112) | June 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is Proverbs 28:9 which reads: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAYER IS GOD'S APPOINTED WAY FOR CHRISTIANS TO GET THINGS from Dr. John R. Rice. |
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| PLAY | God Insistently Commands his People to Pray in the Bible (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #111) | June 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is Matthew 7:7 which reads: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Dick Eastman. He said, "Prayer is not so much another weapon on our list of weaponry as it is the actual battle." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled GOD INSISTENTLY COMMANDS HIS PEOPLE TO PRAY IN THE BIBLE from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... The first good reason for doing anything is that God has commanded it. And God has commanded us to pray. Throughout the Bible are Scriptures with the imperative command to pray. Luke 18:1 says, "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." This is a statement, not that some men should pray, but that men, mankind, everywhere and in all times, should pray. It is an impelling duty which Jesus taught. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." Here is a command without any modification by the context. As long as men in any country, in any language, read the Bible, they will read this plain command to pray without ceasing. Not only ought we to pray; we ought to pray all the time! Prayer should be the continual turning of our hearts to God about everything we need and everything we want until the subconscious mind is continually in touch with God. As a mother in her sleep listens for the cry of her baby, so a Christian's heart can be attuned to God while he is absorbed in daily duties or even when he sleeps! Philippians 4:6 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." A Christian is to pray literally about everything. 1 Timothy 2:1 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." We are commanded to pray not only at all times, but for all men. Ephesians 6:18-19 says, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." This passage closes the familiar description of the armor of a Christian, and the final word about how to be strong in the Lord is this command that we are to pray always with all prayer, with all perseverance for all the saints. Notice how many alls there are. And as the Christians at Ephesus were commanded to pray for Paul, so it is implied that we also should pray for all the ministers particularly, as well as "all saints". Matthew 26:41 says, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." This command of our Saviour to the apostles is repeated in Mark 14:38, Luke 22:40, and in Luke 22:46. But since we are to "observe all things whatsoever" Jesus commanded the apostles, then we too are to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. Besides the above general commands for Christians to pray all the time, for all people and about everything, there are many other commands to pray for specific matters. Many times Paul, in his epistles, by divine inspiration, commanded the readers to pray for him. Prayer, then, is a duty expressly commanded for every Christian, all the time, and about everybody and everything. Not to pray is a sin, the sin of disobedience to the plain and often repeated command of God! Lack of prayer is a sin. Doubtless all of our sins and mistakes and failures are prayer sins, prayer mistakes, and prayer failures. Samuel said to the people of Israel in 1 Samuel 12:23, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." Christians ought to pray because it is |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Mortar that Holds Our House Together (Prayer Motivator Minute #55) | June 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is Jude 1:20 which says: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Corrie ten Boom. She said: “Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." |
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| PLAY | The Tragedy of Our Day is Not Unanswered Prayer but Unoffered Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #54) | June 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is Romans 8:15 which says: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said: “Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. God’s voice in response to mine is its most essential part." |
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| PLAY | Nature Itself Points to a Benevolent God Who Hears and Answers Prayer (Part 2) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #110) | June 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today from the Word of God is James 4:8 which reads: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Chrysostom. He said, "Prayer is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is a continuation from yesterday's broadcast titled NATURE ITSELF POINTS TO A BENEVOLENT GOD WHO HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYER from Dr. John R. Rice. Dr. Rice said... Nature does not tell of Calvary and redemption, but it does point to an infinitely merciful, benevolent, loving God, whose heart is open to mankind. He who clothes the lilies of the field and notes the fall of the sparrow is the God who hears and answers the prayers of those who diligently seek Him and who trust Him. James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." God never varies, in any age, nor with any people, from His constant watchfulness to give what men need, what their hearts cry out for, what will make them happy and good. And does not that mean that by very nature God is predisposed to hear the cry of men and is lovingly concerned about whatever want or desire or need is felt by any contrite heart who seeks God's face! Then if God be a God who hears and answers prayer, let us pray! Prayer, then, becomes the most compelling Christian duty. God never commanded us to sing without ceasing, nor preach without ceasing, nor give without ceasing, nor work without ceasing; but He did command us to, "Pray without ceasing." The apostles after Pentecost demanded the selection of deacons that the apostles might give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word---not first the preaching, but first that they should give themselves to prayer! When Solomon built the temple at Jerusalem and dedicated it to God, God did not say He would be listening for the songs of the antiphonal choirs nor watching for the smoke of the altars where many sacrifices should be offered; but God said in 2 Chronicles 7:15, "Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place." Then in Isaiah 56:7, God said, "For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." And Jesus quoted this Scripture as recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. The temple was primarily a house of prayer for all people. Back of all the preaching, the praying, the prophesying, the singing; back of all religious observances, God intended there should be a living faith in a God who hears and answers prayer, and thus that men should call upon the name of the Lord! There is no pleasing of God without prayer! God is the God who hears prayer. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." O Thou God who hearest prayer, put it in our hearts to believe Thee and to pray! + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Don't Expect a Million Dollar Answer to a Five Cent Prayer (Prayer Motivator Minute #53) | June 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse from the Word of God today is Psalm 80:18 which says: “So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from William Cowper. He said: “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees." |
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| PLAY | Nature Itself Points to a Benevolent God Who Hears and Answers Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #109) | June 21, 2011 |
| Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing. | ||
| PLAY | God Does More Than Hear Words -- He Reads Hearts (Prayer Motivator Minute #52) | June 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Joyce Meyer. She said: “Build your faith on the fact that humble, believing prayer is powerful. Believe that you can pray anywhere, anytime, about anything. Believe that your prayers don't have to be perfect or eloquent or long. Keep them simple and full of faith."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 1:35 which says: “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." |
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| PLAY | Every Attribute of God is Implied in the Fact that He Hears and Answers Prayer (Part 2) (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #108) | June 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 26:36 which reads: "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Frank Laubach. He said, "The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says ‘Amen’ and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him our ideas." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is a continuation of our last broadcast titled EVERY ATTRIBUTE OF GOD IS IMPLIED IN THE FACT THAT HE HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYER from Dr. John R. Rice. You might recall from our last broadcast, that we discussed three qualities or attributes of God. Those are: 1. a prayer-hearing God is a living God; 2. a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God is an all-knowing God; and 3. if God is able to answer prayer, then He has all power in Heaven and earth. Today, we will continue this discussion with three more atrributes or qualities of God. Dr. Rice said... Fourth, if God answers prayer and has such infinite wisdom, such almighty power, then He Himself must be the Creator. There could be none other as powerful; there could be none to dispute His right; there could be none other to limit His work or cross His will. Then the God who answers prayer, in the very nature of the case, is the Creator of the heavens and earth. Fifth, the God who answers prayer, then, is a miracle-working God. To believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, means that one has faith in all that is ever claimed for God. If there is a God who hears and answers prayers, in the sense of the Bible, then of very necessity His work is miraculous, supernatural, not ordinary, but extraordinary; not human, but divine; not limited, but infinite in scope. "Does God work miracles today? someone asks. And the answer is, Yes, if He is the God who rewards those that diligently seek Him, if He is still the God who hears and answers prayer, then His ordinary and natural way of working in answering prayer would be by miracles. Every soul saved is a supernatural act, not a natural one. Every time God intervenes and controls nature or changes a plan to make it rain when it otherwise would not have rained, and does it because someone prayed, then that is a miracle. Every time a person gets well in answer to prayer, when otherwise he would not have gotten well, it is a miracle, a divine intervention in natural affairs. As the late Dr. Blanchard, president of Wheaton College, said in one of his books, "If there be a God, He must act like a God." A God works miracles. A God who would cease to work miracles would cease to be a God, in the Bible sense, that is, a personal God who personally hears and answers the prayer of faith. Sixth, if God answers prayer then He is a God of infinite love and mercy! God knows none of us deserve to have our prayers answered. We poor sinners deserve only condemnation and forsaking and punishment of death! But God loves sinners. His mercy is boundless. Romans 5:20 says, "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." If there is a God who rewards those who diligently seek Him, that is, who hears and answers the cry, the faith, the need of human beings, then God would give His own Son to atone for sin and make it so He could righteously forgive sin and save sinners and keep them out of Hell and make them into His own image and have them forever with Him in Heaven! Ah, when one really believes that God is a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God, he has the secret to the very heart of God, and he can dimly see and outline all the graces and powers and majesty of the infinite God! A God who hears and answers prayer is a true God. Any God who does not hear and answer prayer has not the power and the grace to create or support the world, or to love and seek and save lost sinners. < |
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| PLAY | Every Attribute of God is Implied in the Fact That He Hears and Answers Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #107) | June 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 2 Chronicles 33:12 which reads: "And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled EVERY ATTRIBUTE OF GOD IS IMPLIED IN THE FACT THAT HE HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYER from Dr. John R. Rice, another "prince of prayer": When one understands that God hears and answers prayer, then he can faintly perceive all the attributes, all the nature of God. All the other qualities or attributes or characteristics of God are implied when we understand that He answers prayer. First, a prayer-hearing God is a living God. He is not an idol of wood or stone or paper. When the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel cried out to their god in 1 Kings 18:26, "O Baal, hear us," there was none that answered nor that regarded. An idol has eyes, but it sees not. It has ears, but it hears not. It has a mouth, but it speaks not. A God who hears prayer is a living God. Second, a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God is an all-knowing God, omniscient. Does God hear the cry of millions of His people in all countries, in all languages, at the same time! Does He even know the hearts of the supplicants? Does He see the faith, does He know the sincerity, or perceive the hypocrisy, in the hearts of those who pray? Then He is a limitless God who knows all things! Third, if God is able to answer prayer, then He has all power in Heaven and earth. If God answers prayer for rain, he must control the weather. If God answers prayer about crops, He must control the sun, the insects, the moisture, and even the germ of life in the seed itself. Does God answer prayer about health? Then God must have in His hand every corpuscle in the blood, every nerve, every process of metabolism in the human body! Does God answer prayer about revival or about the conversion of a sinner? Then God must have influence on the very souls and consciences and wills of men! If God answered the prayer of Joshua that the sun might stand still in its relation to the earth for about the space of a day, then God controls the whole infinite universe. He answers prayer; He has infinite power, limitless power. + Plus, listen to Paul Morton singing "Let it Rain" |
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| PLAY | Productive Prayer Requires Earnestness, Not Eloquence (Prayer Motivator Minute #51) | June 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: “God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 15:16 which says: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." |
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| PLAY | Every Attribute of God is Implied in the Fact That He Hears and Answers Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #107) | June 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 2 Chronicles 33:12 which reads: "And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled EVERY ATTRIBUTE OF GOD IS IMPLIED IN THE FACT THAT HE HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYER from Dr. John R. Rice, another "prince of prayer": When one understands that God hears and answers prayer, then he can faintly perceive all the attributes, all the nature of God. All the other qualities or attributes or characteristics of God are implied when we understand that He answers prayer. First, a prayer-hearing God is a living God. He is not an idol of wood or stone or paper. When the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel cried out to their god in 1 Kings 18:26, "O Baal, hear us," there was none that answered nor that regarded. An idol has eyes, but it sees not. It has ears, but it hears not. It has a mouth, but it speaks not. A God who hears prayer is a living God. Second, a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God is an all-knowing God, omniscient. Does God hear the cry of millions of His people in all countries, in all languages, at the same time! Does He even know the hearts of the supplicants? Does He see the faith, does He know the sincerity, or perceive the hypocrisy, in the hearts of those who pray? Then He is a limitless God who knows all things! Third, if God is able to answer prayer, then He has all power in Heaven and earth. If God answers prayer for rain, he must control the weather. If God answers prayer about crops, He must control the sun, the insects, the moisture, and even the germ of life in the seed itself. Does God answer prayer about health? Then God must have in His hand every corpuscle in the blood, every nerve, every process of metabolism in the human body! Does God answer prayer about revival or about the conversion of a sinner? Then God must have influence on the very souls and consciences and wills of men! If God answered the prayer of Joshua that the sun might stand still in its relation to the earth for about the space of a day, then God controls the whole infinite universe. He answers prayer; He has infinite power, limitless power. + Plus, listen to Paul Morton singing "Let it Rain" |
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| PLAY | When Life Knocks You to Your Knees, You Are Then in the Best Position to Pray (Prayer Motivator MInute #50) | June 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Bunyan. He said: “Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 34:6 which says: “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." |
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| PLAY | It is Impossible to Come to God or to Please Him Without Believing that He is a Prayer-Hearing and Prayer-Answering God (Part 2) (Prayer Motivator Devotional #106) | June 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 86:7 which reads: "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is part 2 of our topic from yesterday's broadcast titled IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COME TO GOD OR TO PLEASE HIM WITHOUT BELIEVING THAT HE IS A PRAYER-HEARING AND A PRAYER-ANSWERING GOD from Dr. John R. Rice, another "prince of prayer": Some people believe that God was more willing to send rain or other physical, material, or earthly blessings to the Jews in answer to their prayers than He is willing to send the same blessings on Gentile Christians in this age. They speak as if God had limited Himself to give earthly blessings to Jews, under the law, and now limits Himself to give only spiritual blessings to Christians under grace. But that would mean that the Jews would have only half a God and we would have the other half of a God! To limit God in His willingness to hear and to answer prayer for those who diligently seek Him is unbelief in the very nature of God Himself! To believe that in apostolic times God was more willing to work miracles than He is today, again limits God. We ought rather to put the limitations on men and frankly confess that we have not because we ask not, that we ask amiss that we might consume it on our lusts, according to James 4:2-3. We ought frankly to confess that our unbelief makes us unfit to receive the blessings which the apostles and New Testament Christians often received. But we ought never to believe nor intimate that God has changed His plan or His willingness to hear and answer the prayers of those who diligently seek Him, those who trust Him. There are dispensations in some little arbitrary matters of God's dealings with men. Once there were animal sacrifices, as type and symbol of faith in a coming Saviour. Now, Hebrews 10:26 tells us, "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Once Jews were forbidden to eat certain kinds of meat as ceremonially unclean to them. Now, 1 Timothy 4:4-5 tells us "every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." Once Jewish boys were to be circumcised, but now Galatians 5:6 says, "neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision." Once there was a Jewish Sabbath, Saturday, and other ceremonial laws, which Jews were to observe as a shadow of the coming Christ. But Christ has already come, and this handwriting of ordinances has been taken out of the way and nailed to the cross of Christ, so that now no Christian is to be judged concerning "meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days." I say in small and arbitrary matters, God had dispensations in His dealings with men. The Holy Spirit once was with Christians and now dwells in Christians (John 14:17). The change came when Jesus was glorified at His resurrection. I say there are such dispensational changes, in some matters; but in the great fundamentals that are a part of the very nature of God, there are no dispensations. God Himself cannot change. He never did; He never will. God always saved people by faith in Christ, no other way, in the Old Testament or in the New. God has always been holy, has always been almighty, has always been merciful; and so God has always been the God who hears and answers prayer. This was understood by the psalmist when he cried, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. This is why "he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," as stated in Hebrews 11:6. The unchanging, |
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| PLAY | It is Impossible to Come to God or to Please Him Without Believing that He is a Prayer-Hearing and Prayer-Answering God (Prayer Motivator Devotional #105) | June 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 119:145 which reads: "I cried with my whole heart; hear me, OLORD: I will keep thy statutes."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross. He said, "There is no other activity in life so important as that of prayer. Every other activity depends upon prayer for its best efficiency." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COME TO GOD OR TO PLEASE HIM WITHOUT BELIEVING THAT HE IS A PRAYER-HEARING AND A PRAYER-ANSWERING GOD from Dr. John R. Rice, another "prince of prayer": How jealous God is of His reputation for hearing and answering prayer! In Hebrews 11:6 we are told, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Here we are told that before anyone can come to God he must believe two things: first, he must believe that there is a God, and second, he must believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, that is, that God hears and answers prayer. No one can come to God, no one can be saved, no one can please God, except he believes God answers prayer! Here we see what faith is. "Without faith it is impossible to please him." And this faith simply means that one believes that there is a God and believes that He hears and answers prayer. Faith about a particular matter is a confidence that there is a God who will hear prayer about this particular matter. But there is no faith that does not involve a real confidence in the prayer-hearing and prayer-answering nature of God. One cannot know God except he comes to know this blessed attribute of His: He is a God who hears prayer! Is it strange that the one attribute of God everyone must acknowledge before coming to Him is the attribute of hearing and answering prayer? When one comes to God, he is not required, necessarily, to think of God as the Creator. He is not required, necessarily, to think of God's attributes and qualities. They are all involved enough in this quality of hearing and answering prayer that when one believes that God "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," then he knows enough about God to come to Him and please Him and receive His blessing! In other words, this quality of hearing and answering prayer is the one God most wants to be known. This is the very heart of God's nature. This reveals His power, His wisdom, His grace, His holiness. There is a God, and He answers prayer. That sums up all the creed absolutely necessary to please God and come to Him. All the other things are implied and understood if you know that much about our infinite, blessed, merciful, prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God! It becomes clear, then, that when we limit God's willingness to answer prayer, we are guilty of a horrible sin of unbelief. Those who lay so much stress on natural law and intimate that God Himself is a servant of nature, limited by rules He Himself has laid down, are guilty of minimizing faith and so are displeasing God and cannot draw as near to Him as they should. To teach, as some do, that in former dispensations God was more ready to answer, more willing to show wonders and signs to His glory in answer to prayer, is striking at the very dignity of God's character, is unbelief in His essential nature as the prayer-hearing God. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Prayin' for You" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is the Pause that Empowers (Prayer Motivator Minute #49) | June 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said: “We do not pray at all until we are at our wits' end."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 116:4 which says: “Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul." |
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| PLAY | When it Comes to Prayer, Don't Hang Up -- Hang On (Prayer Motivator Minute #48) | June 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: “Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Genesis 12:8 which says: “And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD." |
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| PLAY | It is God's Nature to Hear and Answer Prayer (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #104) | June 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 18:3 which reads: "I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "A life growing in its purity and devotion will be a more prayerful life." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled IT IS GOD'S NATURE TO HEAR AND ANSWER PRAYER from Dr. John R. Rice, another "prince of prayer". "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." - Psalm 65:2 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6 Our God is a God who hears and answers prayer! Prayer-hearing is one of His attributes, a part of His nature. He inspired the psalmist to call Him "thou that hearest prayer" (Psalm 65:2). He selected that title for Himself and delights to be called the God who hears and the God who answers prayer. God's attributes, His character, are revealed in the titles given Him in the Scripture. An impressive and very helpful book of daily devotions was written by T.C. Horton, The Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord. The names and titles and descriptions by which God reveals Himself in the Bible give insight into the character of God. And one of His titles, by His own divine choice, is "thou that hearest prayer!" God's mercy never changes. It is a part of His character, unaffected by changing dispensations. God's holiness and His righteousness never vary. He is always holy, always righteous. The characteristics and attributes of God are unchanging and everlasting. He says, "I am the Lord, I change not" (Malachi 3:6). "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever," says Hebrews 13:8. And even so, God is in all generations, the same God who delights to hear, and does hear, and answer prayer. "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come," said the psalmist. God hears the prayers of all flesh. He just as willingly hears the prayers of a Gentile as of a Jew. God, who is the Creator of all alike, is eager to hear the prayer of every living soul. And He is as willing to hear the prayer of one generation as another. He was delighted with the prayers of Enoch, who walked and talked with Him, and took him on to Heaven bodily, translating him that he should not die. He heard the prayer of Abraham, the "friend of God", and delivered Lot from Sodom and gave Abraham the longed-for child in his old age. Later it was His delight to answer the prayers of Elijah, raising the dead, sending fire from Heaven, giving drought and then rain, and then taking Him to Heaven. He just as readily heard the prayer of Daniel, a captive in far-off Babylon, whose nation was in disgrace, and revealed to him King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and delivered Daniel from the lions' den, just as He delivered the other three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace. What did it matter to God whether the prayer was before the Flood or after with Enoch and Abraham? It did not affect the answer to prayer that Elijah was in the land of Canaan and Daniel a captive in Babylon. So in the New Testament, God heard the prayer of the Canaanite woman and the prayer of the Italian centurion, Cornelius, as readily as He heard the prayer of Peter, the chief apostle. He heard the prayer of the dying thief, or the publican in the temple, or the fallen woman, as readily as the prayer of the upright and godly. If there are ever conditions that hinder prayer, the conditions are on the part of the one who prays and not on God's part. God is the unchanging God who hears prayer, the God who longs to answer prayer, the God who in all generations and with all kinds of people eagerly listens to prayer. It is a part of His nature, as are His mercy, His justice, His righteou |
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| PLAY | Never Take on More Work Than You Have Time to Pray About (Prayer Motivator MInute #47) | June 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J. Hudson Taylor. He said: “The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, 'Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!'"
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 11:24 which says: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." |
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| PLAY | The Introduction to the Prayer Motivator Devotional Broadcast and the Prayer Motivator Minute (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #103) | June 13, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Luke 18:1 which reads: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Our thought for today is that prayer should be the chief work of any Christian. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martin Luther. He said, "As is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PUTTING PRAYER TO GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE... + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" | ||
| PLAY | He Who Waits on the Lord Will Not be Crushed by the Weights of Adversity (Prayer Motivator Minute #46) | June 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from W.S. Boyd. He said: “Prayer is weakness leaning on omnipotence."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 62:8 which says: “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." |
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| PLAY | Praying for the Spiritual Needs of Those on the Mission Field (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #102) | June 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Jeremiah 29:13 which reads: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Our thought for today is that we should live in the spirit of prayer. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Mueller. When asked how much time he spent in prayer, George Muller's reply was,‘Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk and when I lie down and when I arise. And the answers are always coming.’ Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAYING FOR THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THOSE ON THE MISSION FIELD from J. Gordon Henry: The missionary needs to understand that he is engaged in spiritual warfare and needs to stand in the power of God, according to Ephesians 6:10-18. When a missionary goes to areas where Satan has held uncontested sway for centuries, it is important that the missionary have the spiritual resources to work. Satan does not meekly surrender even one inch of territory; rather, he will launch counterattacks and will fight to the last ditch. His primary attack is always on the mind. The missionary is in a spiritual battle and needs to understand fully what is happening. He needs to have on the whole armor of God that he will be able to stand against the "wiles" (specific stratagems for battle). Several have indicated that the daily pressures become so demanding that there is soon a neglect of the quiet time. Does that sound familiar? Remember that the missionaries are not supersaints. Pray that the missionary will maintain an attitude of humility (which is dependence upon God and not self). Pray that the missionary will renew his mind with a daily time in the Word and in prayer. Pray that the missionary will stay in a position to qualify for God's looking his way --- which is contriteness and trembling at His Word. Pray that the missionary may enter into God's provision for rest and peace. Pray for protection against Satan's attacks on the missionary's spirit. Intense powers of darkness make work difficult and slow. Pray for his encouragement and strength to be given to break through the powers of darkness. Pray that the missionary will resist Satan in the Name of Jesus. Pray that the missionary will take any accusation of Satan directly to his Defense Attorney to handle, the Lord Jesus Christ. + Plus, listen to Brian Free singing "A Praying Man" |
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| PLAY | The Importance of Praying for Missionaries (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #101) | June 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 1:6 which reads: "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
Our thought for today is that prayer gives us faith and power. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross. He said, "The man on his knees has a leverage underneath the mountain which can cast it into the sea, if necessary, and can force all earth and heaven to recognize the power there is in 'His name.'" Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING FOR MISSIONARIES from J. Gordon Henry: Missionaries face variables that include customs and culture, unfamiliar foods, climate, lack of privacy, language disparity, lack of adequate medical care, and few modern conveniences that the American has become accustomed to. There is much to discourage and frustrate the missionary and his family. There is a difference in his western ways of doing things and what is done in his country. He must learn to be careful not to offend by thoughtlessly ignoring things that are important to those whom he is serving. There are often climate changes that tax the physical body such as intense heat coupled with high humidity, violent tropical storms, and rainy season deluges. Since many nationals live their lives in public, they expect the missionary to do the same. Finally, a lack of results can be extremely difficult to face since most missionaries arrived on the field expecting to "set the world on fire" for Jesus. Many variables that the missionary cannot control produce frustrations that can be defeating. Pray that the missionary will be graciously flexible and able in very practical ways to worry about nothing and pray about everything as he looks to the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the missionary's heart to be filled with the supernatural love of Jesus (because natural love can break down and fail to meet the tests) which will prevent difficulties from bringing about hardness, impatience, sharpness of speech, anger, and even bitterness. Pray for God's love to be demonstrated through the missionary to fellow missionaries, to the believers with whom he labors, and to the unreached men, women, boys, and girls around him. + Plus, listen to Karen Clark Sheard singing "Prayed Up" |
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| PLAY | Has Time Run Out for America? (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #100) | June 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 21:22 which reads: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Our thought for today is that prayer is an absolute necessity in the Christian's life. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "We can do nothing without prayer. All things can be done by importunate prayer. That is the teaching of Jesus Christ." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled HAS TIME RUN OUT FOR AMERICA? from J. Gordon Henry. Is it too late for America? I do not believe so. It is absolutely certain that when we do what God tells us to do that He will do what He said He will do. He will "hear from Heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land." There is a prayer movement unparalleled in this century that is sweeping across America and around the world. Virtually thousands are giving themselves to prayer in various cities. A few years ago, the Supreme Court ruled by an 8-to-1 vote in Westside Community schools v. Mergens that students in public secondary schools who wish to form religious clubs may have the same "equal access" to school facilities and privileges as students in other non-curriculum related activities. God's children have been praying for the Supreme Court whose decisions have closed God out of so much of our public life during the past thirty years. This is certainly a reminder that things can change. Let's commit ourselves afresh and anew to pray daily for the United States of America -- your land and my land. Let us ask God's blessings to rest upon us and give us a spiritual awakening that would sweep across our land, beyond anything we have ever known. Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound! No, it is not too late for America! + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Why it is Important to Pray for the President (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #99) | June 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Acts 9:11 which reads: "And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."
Our thought for today is that prayer is the greatest work a Christian can do. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO PRAY FOR THE PRESIDENT from J. Gordon Henry: What should we pray? The "Prayer for the President" written by Peter Marshall which I am going to share with you will give some ideas: "We pray, Lord Jesus, for our President. We are deeply concerned that he may know the will of God, and that he may have the spiritual courage and grace to follow it. Deliver him, we pray, from all selfish considerations. Lift him above the claims of politics. Fill him with the Spirit of God that shall make him fearless to seek, to know, and to do what is right. Save him from the friends who, in the name of politics or even friendship, would persuade him from that holy path. Strengthen and empower his advisors. Bring them, too, to their knees in prayer. May their example and their influence spread, that we, in these United States, may yet have a government of men who know Thee, the Almighty God, as their Friend, and who place Thy will first in their lives as well as in their prayers. Hear and answer, we pray Thee, forgiving us of all our unworthiness, cleansing us from every ignoble thought and unworthy ambition that we may be renewed in spirit and mind and heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." I like that as an example! Pray that God will anoint President Obama---who has testified that he is a born-again Christian. Pray for the members of his cabinet, our leaders in Congress and in other governmental positions---from the highest to the lowest. One day set aside annually for prayer is only a starting point. Why not encourage people to join with you in small groups for prayer according to 2 Chronicles 7:14? When you are in prayer meetings and requests are made, focus on praying for our government, calling out specific needs. Let us unite in prayer that God will send a spiritual awakening to the United States of America beginning in our hearts and spreading through the nation and the world. + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray?" |
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| PLAY | A Praying Man Will Never be a Useless Man (Prayer Motivator MInute #42) | June 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Chuck Smith. He said: “Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Isaiah 58:9 which says: “Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." |
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| PLAY | Prayer to God is Necessary for Our Governmental Leaders (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #98) | June 6, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 2 Chronicles 30:27 which reads: "Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven."
Our thought for today is that God wants us to pray to Him so that His power can be manifested on the earth. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said, "We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAYER TO GOD IS NECESSARY FOR OUR GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS from J. Gordon Henry: God has established three institutions: the home, the government, and the church. The Bible clearly teaches that we are to pray for those who have authority over us. This would include our civil leaders. Even when we cannot respect individuals in authority, we must respect their offices and pray for them. God Himself has given human rulers their authority which is described in Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17. Paul gives a specific order to pray for governmental authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." Remember godless Nero was on the throne as Paul wrote this. Paul taught that God who is absolutely sovereign has placed each government official in his place. + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | We Reach New Heights When We Get Down On Our Knees to Pray (Prayer Motivator Minute #41) | June 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Myles Munroe. He said: “There is nothing more common among men, no human activity more universal, yet none more mysterious and misunderstood, than prayer."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 99:6 which says: “Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them." |
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| PLAY | Fighting the Battle of Secularism in Our Nation (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #97) | June 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 116:2 which reads: "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live."
Our thought for today is that we can never pray enough. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from C.H. Spurgeon. He said, "Prayer can never be in excess." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled FIGHTING THE BATTLE OF SECULARISM IN OUR NATION THROUGH PRAYER from J. Gordon Henry: As a result of the work of secular humanists, few are left even in Christianity who firmly believe in the historicity of the first eleven chapters of Genesis and special creation as opposed to evolution. Those who do are looked upon as ignorant, backward people. I have in my possession the California school code that states that evolution is to be taught as scientific fact. Since evolution is the very heart of secular humanism, think of the implications of that requirement. Why is it that the humanistic ideas have free course in our schools and any reference to God is not acceptable? Too long have we Christians forfeited our right to equal treatment under the law. We will never win the war until we know where the battle is being fought. As born-again, Bible believers, we possess armaments and artillery that are supernatural. We will either use them or lose the war. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Paul reminded the Christians in sinful Corinth that they possessed resources eclipsing anything the devil could muster. In Ephesians 6:12, he informed the Ephesian believers that "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Actually, this is a spiritual hierarchy of organization. Satan is not omniscient, omnipresent, or omnipotent---but he is organized. In order to do battle against him, Christians need to have on the whole armor of God which is described in Ephesians 6:10-17. After the armor is on, the first activity mentioned is prayer. The battle is fought in the place of prayer! + Plus, listen to the Katinas singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | Pray for God to Rebuke Satan the Devil from Using Secular Humanism to Take Down Our Nation (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #96) | June 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 27:8 which reads: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."
Our thought for today is that when we pray, our spirit, mind, and heart should be concentrating on communicating with God. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Johannes Gossner. He said, "Prayer is a spiritual law which cooperates with the mind of God. It has more in it than merely petition. It clothes itself in reality and power,with the force of God Himself. It is an attitude of spirit and mind. Language is secondary in true prayer." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAY FOR GOD TO REBUKE SATAN THE DEVIL FROM USING SECULAR HUMANISM TO TAKE DOWN OUR NATION from J. Gordon Henry: There is a well-organized attack upon Biblical revelation and morality. Satan's tool is secular humanism that is promoted by a group known as the American Humanist Association. This movement is set against God and has permeated society with its spiritual poison. The humanists declare that belief in God is the highest form of self-deception. They think that the world would be better off without God. They believe that man is alone in this universe. Don't think that secular humanism is a figment of fearful imagination invented by extreme, far-right fundamentalists. Here are the facts. In modern times, two astonishing documents have been drawn-up, amply signed, publicly proclaimed, and then universally fulfilled --- Humanist Manifesto I and Humanist Manifesto II. The first was published in 1933 and the second was published in 1973. Both were printed in official publications of humanist organizaions. Both were signed by a small number of incredibly influential people holding significant positions in all areas of society---science, politics, the arts, literature, the media, religion, philosophy, and education. By reading through these documents, you will gain stunning insight into the source of what is wrong throughout our society. You will see that the thrust of the well-organized attack upon Biblical revelation and morality mentioned earlier is delineated in these documents. Truly, these Manifestos are an attack upon the very conception of God. Once you understand the war against God, you will be in a position to enter into the battle through prayer with understanding and insight. As you read your daily newspaper, you will be amazed at the examples of the spiritual warfare in attacks against those things you hold dear. This will move you to pray for our nation to be saved from secular humanism. + Plus, listen to Tobymac singing "City On Our Knees" |
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| PLAY | Pray for God to Bind Satan's Power from Destroying Our Nation (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #95) | June 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Job 8:5 and 7, which reads: "If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty...Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase."
Our thought for today is that we should start our day with God. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Bunyan He said, "He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAY FOR GOD TO BIND SATAN'S POWER FROM DESTROYING OUR NATION from J. Gordon Henry. Dr. Henry said....... PRAY FOR GOD TO BIND SATAN'S POWER FROM DESTROYING OUR NATION You can be sure that Satan is the force behind all that is happening to weaken and destroy America. He has mobilized his forces for the battle! If you have felt that everything biblical, Godly, pure and holy is under attack, that moral erosion is all about, that we seem to be losing a war but never really seeing the enemy, you are right! The principles and basis for our orderly society under God are indeed under systematic attack. It is evident in the schools, in the media, in literature, and in the arts. As Christians, we should pray for God to bind the forces of Satan from destroying our nation. + Plus, listen to Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Let Us Pray" |
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| PLAY | Pray for God's People to Repent and Usher in a Spirit of Revival in Our Nation (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #94) | May 31, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 John 3:21-22, which reads: "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Our thought for today is that when we pray to God, He is eager to help us and answer our prayers. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martin Luther. He said, "Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO REPENT AND USHER IN A SPIRIT OF REVIVAL IN OUR NATION from J. Gordon Henry: The key to bringing healing to a nation is in the hands of God's people. Therefore, we should direct our prayers that spiritual awakening and renewal will come to believers. Pray for conviction to come --- which is the work of the Holy Spirit as He takes the Word of God and applies it. Pray that God's people will get into the Word and let God speak through His Word. One major barrier to spiritual awakening is that few believers pay attention to the Word of God; most grossly ignore the Word. Pray that God's people will repent (change their minds about sin) and confess their specific sins by agreeing with God and saying the same thing about them that He says. Pray that God's people will be clean before Him --- which will place them in a position of spiritual revival. GETTING BACK TO THE BIBLE IS A MUST FOR GOD'S PEOPLE! + Plus, listen to Andrae Crouch singing "Pray" |
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| PLAY | The Seven Stages a Nation Goes Through That Leads to Destruction by God (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #93) | May 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 John 5:14, which reads: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."
Our thought for today is that praying to God is the most we can do in any situation. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.J. Gordon. He said, "You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled THE SEVEN STAGES A NATION GOES THROUGH THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION BY GOD from J. Gordon Henry: In the book, "America: To Pray or Not to Pray", author David Barton has postulated seven stages a nation goes through leading to eventual destruction by God. In the first stage, God convicts His people of their sins. Second, He warns them of sins. Third, He applies remedial judgment of sins committed. In the fourth stage, God withdraws His presence. In the fifth stage, He takes away the wall of protection and allows disasters to come upon His people. In the sixth stage, He gives His people over to sin, failure, and depravity. In the seventh stage, He destroys His people. Barton, believes America is in the fifth stage. Decadence, crime, violence, the recent onslaught of natural disasters, and an ecological system that is failing are signs God has turned His back on America as a nation. There is abundant evidence that God removed His wall of protection away from America sometime around 1963 when our Supreme Court ruled that prayer and Bible reading have no place in the schools. What will turn the tide? II Chronicles 7:14 is the text that tells us. It is spoken to Christians --- "My people called by My Name" (which happened to believers at Antioch, Syria when they were called Christians first in Acts 11:26). There is an "If...Then" arrangement. God says to Christians "if" you do these things, "then" here is what I will do. Under "IF," He lists four things: (1) become humble which means dependence upon God--not ourselves or anyone else; (2) pray which means to ask in the sense of God's hand to move; (3) seek His face for worship; and (4) turn from sin. Under "THEN", He lists what He will do: (1) He will hear from Heaven---which is headquarters where all the resources that will ever be needed are in stock; (2) He will lift and remove the heavy load; and (3) He will heal the land. This is what will turn the tide for America or for any nation. Remember that INTERCESSORS are literally "go-betweens"---standing between God and someone else or some circumstance. We need INTERCESSORS for America. Many of you are already intercessors and others want to become intercessors for our land. The assumption is that you will be on praying ground by having all sin confessed and forsaken and you are yielded to the Holy Spirit with Him in control---which is what Spirit-filled means. No believer can help turn our nation back to God unless he is clean before God. I would encourage you to get on your knees and ask God to make you a person He can use. + Plus, listen to Dorothy Norwood singing "It's Praying Time" |
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| PLAY | The Seven Stages a Nation Goes Through That Leads to Destruction by God (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #93) | May 30, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 John 5:14, which reads: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."
Our thought for today is that praying to God is the most we can do in any situation. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A.J. Gordon. He said, "You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled THE SEVEN STAGES A NATION GOES THROUGH THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION BY GOD from J. Gordon Henry: In the book, "America: To Pray or Not to Pray", author David Barton has postulated seven stages a nation goes through leading to eventual destruction by God. In the first stage, God convicts His people of their sins. Second, He warns them of sins. Third, He applies remedial judgment of sins committed. In the fourth stage, God withdraws His presence. In the fifth stage, He takes away the wall of protection and allows disasters to come upon His people. In the sixth stage, He gives His people over to sin, failure, and depravity. In the seventh stage, He destroys His people. Barton, believes America is in the fifth stage. Decadence, crime, violence, the recent onslaught of natural disasters, and an ecological system that is failing are signs God has turned His back on America as a nation. There is abundant evidence that God removed His wall of protection away from America sometime around 1963 when our Supreme Court ruled that prayer and Bible reading have no place in the schools. What will turn the tide? II Chronicles 7:14 is the text that tells us. It is spoken to Christians --- "My people called by My Name" (which happened to believers at Antioch, Syria when they were called Christians first in Acts 11:26). There is an "If...Then" arrangement. God says to Christians "if" you do these things, "then" here is what I will do. Under "IF," He lists four things: (1) become humble which means dependence upon God--not ourselves or anyone else; (2) pray which means to ask in the sense of God's hand to move; (3) seek His face for worship; and (4) turn from sin. Under "THEN", He lists what He will do: (1) He will hear from Heaven---which is headquarters where all the resources that will ever be needed are in stock; (2) He will lift and remove the heavy load; and (3) He will heal the land. This is what will turn the tide for America or for any nation. Remember that INTERCESSORS are literally "go-betweens"---standing between God and someone else or some circumstance. We need INTERCESSORS for America. Many of you are already intercessors and others want to become intercessors for our land. The assumption is that you will be on praying ground by having all sin confessed and forsaken and you are yielded to the Holy Spirit with Him in control---which is what Spirit-filled means. No believer can help turn our nation back to God unless he is clean before God. I would encourage you to get on your knees and ask God to make you a person He can use. + Plus, listen to Dorothy Norwood singing "It's Praying Time" |
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| PLAY | Without the Prayer Work Being Done, Evangelism Will Not be Effective (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #92) | May 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 10:17, which reads: "LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear."
Our thought for today is that prayer should be a purposeful, meaningful matter in our lives. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "It is necessary to iterate and reiterate that prayer, as a mere habit, as a performance gone through by routine or in a professional way, is a dead and rotten thing." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled WITHOUT THE PRAYER WORK BEING DONE, EVANGELISM WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE from J. Gordon Henry: One very practical approach in praying for the lost is to choose five unsaved persons represented by the five fingers of your left hand and another five who will be represented by the fingers of your right hand. Pray for these every day following the ideas that we discussed in previous broadcasts. When one gets saved, replace that person with someone else. Know that it is the will of God that each of these persons be saved. Pray against Satan, to the Saviour, and for the saints. It is sad to note that there are saved people living with unsaved people under the same roof --- often members of the same family and no one is praying for those lost people. Remember that if you are not praying for your children and grandchildren, no one else is. If you have lost your burden because of the pressures all around you and the pull of this earth, take this matter directly to the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. He will deal with it and make things different. The work most needed is prayer work. Unless the prayer work is done, evangelism will make little difference. In fact, it is safe to conclude that it is possible to contact face to face every individual in a county or city with a gospel witness and see nothing happen if the prayer work is not done. MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT CLEARLY TEACH EACH OF US THE NEEDED TRUTHS WHICH WILL RESULT IN OUR GIVING MUCH TIME TO PRAY FOR THE LOST! + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Anybody Wanna Pray?" |
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| PLAY | Focusing Our Prayers for the Lost Toward the Saints (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #91) | May 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 9:28-29 which reads: "And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."
Our thought for today is that when you pray, God will direct you in the path of what He wants you to do throughout the day. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Hudson Taylor. He said, "I have seen many men work without praying, though I have never seen any good come out of it; but I have never seen a man pray without working." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled FOCUSING OUR PRAYERS FOR THE LOST TOWARD THE SAINTS from J. Gordon Henry: You might recall from our three previous broadcasts this week that we have shared with you two directions to focus your praying for the lost: against Satan and to the Savior. Today, we will discuss the third of those directions and that is focusing your prayers to the lord for the Saints. In Romans 10:1-3 and Romans 10:8-13, Paul gives the clear plan of salvation with the conclusion that "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Then, he poses the question in verse 14, how can a person call on someone he has never heard about? Jesus instructed us to pray that God will send laborers into the harvest in Matthew 9:35-38. Keep praying that God will raise up someone to witness to the unsaved person. This is God's method. He prepares a sinner and he prepares a witness. In Acts 8, the eunuch was the prepared sinner and Philip was the prepared witness. In Acts 10, Cornelius was the prepared sinner who had been praying and fasting four days; Peter was the prepared witness. God's way is to bring together prepared sinners and prepared witnesses. And we must pray for both. Through intercessory praying God moves to prepare the sinner. The intercessor needs to continue the cycle and ask God to prepare the witness that he will speak as he ought to speak and then give him an opportunity to share. Don't be surprised if you become the witness God will use. + Plus, listen to Mahalia Jackson singing "Sweet Hour of Prayer" |
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| PLAY | If a Care is Too Small to Be Made Into a Prayer, it is Too Small to be Made Into a Burden (The Prayer Motivator Minute #34) | May 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: “Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer. Little acquaintance with God, and strangeness and coldness to Him, make prayer a rare and feeble thing."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 22:5, which says: “They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded." |
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| PLAY | Focusing Our Prayers for the Lost to the Saviour (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #90) | May 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Proverbs 15:29 which reads: "The LORD is far from the wicked: but heheareth the prayer of the righteous."
Our thought for today is that the greatest people in the world are those people who take the time to pray. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon. He said, "The great people of the earth today are the people who pray! I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor those who explain prayer; but I mean those who actually take the time to pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. That something else is important, very important and pressing, but still, less important and pressing than prayer. There are people who put prayer first, and group the other items in life's schedule around and after prayer. These are the people today who are doing the most for God in winning souls, in solving problems, in awakening churches, in supplying both men and money for mission posts, in keeping fresh and strong their lives far off in sacrificial service on the foreign field, where the thickest fighting is going on, and in keeping the old earth sweet a little while longer." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled FOCUSING OUR PRAYERS FOR THE LOST TO THE SAVIOUR from J. Gordon Henry: You might recall from Monday's broadcast that we discussed three directions to focus your praying for the lost: against Satan, to the Savior, and for the Saints. Today, we will discuss the second of those directions and that is focusing your prayers for the lost to the Saviour. It is important to remember that a person does not come to Jesus except the Father draws him. John 6:44 says, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." It is through the Holy Spirit that the Father draws a person to the Saviour. Jesus explained in John 16:13-14 that it would be the work of the Holy Spirit to convict the world "of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." It is certainly appropriate for us to ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to the unsaved person's heart to convict him and draw him. One can easily imagine the result in a lost person's thinking when he becomes conscious of his lostness and the coming judgment. Not only will the Holy Spirit bring the sense of conviction, He will do it in the light of calling attention to the Lord Jesus Christ. + Plus, listen to Brian Free and Assurance singing "A Praying Man" |
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| PLAY | Prayer is Not a Last Extremity -- It is a First Necessity (The Prayer Motivator Minute #33) | May 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray. He said: “Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God."
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 5:2, which says: “Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray." |
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| PLAY | The Importance of Asking God to Bind the Power of Satan When Praying for Unbelievers (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #89) | May 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 116:2 which reads: "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live."
Our thought for today is God carries out His work and plans in the earth through men and women of prayer. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said, "God's cause is committed to men; God commits Himself to men. Praying men are the vice-regents of God; they do His work and carry out His plans." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled THE IMPORTANCE OF ASKING GOD TO BIND THE POWER OF SATAN WHEN PRAYING FOR UNBELIEVERS from J. Gordon Henry: Using the authority that we have in Christ, we can ask God specifically to bind the power of Satan. Matthew 18:18 tells us, "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Mark 3:27 says, "No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house." We are called of God, according to Ephesians 6:11-12, to be conquerors in spiritual warfare on this earth. James describes this warfare when he told us to submit ourselves to God and to resist the Devil so he will flee from us in James 4:7. This should not make us afraid. Truly, it should give us great encouragement in our role as intercessors. We have power in this warfare; the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is that power. We must stand our ground in this spiritual battle with the authority given us by God. Strongholds cannot stand against our authority when it is properly wielded. Just as a policeman can stop or move traffic by a gesture of his hand, so we, in Christ's name, command spiritual powers. Through prayer (in His name---by His authority) believers can command evil powers that bind the souls of people to release their captives. Remember that Satan is perfectly defeated and greater is He who is in us than the one that is in the world. Through intercession, we claim the work of Calvary in the lost person's life. The blood of Jesus has atoned for the sins of the whole world. To pray in the name of Jesus is to claim everything that His work has purchased. The sins of an unsaved person have already been paid for by the blood of Jesus which has already been shed. Jesus has purchased the lost person. Remember that a person never goes to hell because of his sins (drinking, lying, fornicating, murdering, etc). Rather, he is condemned because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Since Jesus has already paid for his redemption, we have the right to claim him in Jesus' name. IN HIS NAME, THE INTERCESSOR HAS THE RIGHT TO CLAIM WHAT HIS BLOOD HAS PURCHASED! + Plus, listen to Lecrae singing "Praying for You" |
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| PLAY | The Three Areas of Focus In Praying for the Lost | May 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Ephesians 3:14 which reads: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Our thought for today is that the busiest work takes place in the prayer closet. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Wesley. He said, "Prayer is where the action is." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled THE PRIMARY FOCUS IN PRAYING FOR LOST SOULS IS TOWARD SATAN from J. Gordon Henry.: There are three directions to focus your praying for the lost: toward Satan, toward the Savior, and toward the Saints. Today, we will discuss focusing your prayers for the lost toward Satan. The first target should be Satan. It is the power of Satan that holds the sinner in bondage. You will remember that Jesus did not deal with surface problems, but the power behind the problems. When Jesus revealed to the disciples that He would go to Jerusalem, where He would suffer many things, be killed, and raised again the third day, Simon Peter told Him that He did not know what He was talking about. Jesus realized the power behind Peter's remark and targeted Satan: "Get thee behind Me, Satan" was his response. Paul spoke directly to the demon who possessed the young girl in Philippi in Acts 16:16-18. He further described spiritual warfare pointing out that we are not to use carnal weapons in the flesh, but spiritual weapons that can pull down the strongholds that enslave people. By the way, note that the strongholds are in the mind---"imaginations", "knowledge" and "thoughts". In Ephesians 6:12, Satan's spiritual hierarchy of organization is given. Satan is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent, but he is organized. After a believer gets his armor on, the first activity mentioned is prayer since prayer is where the battle is fought. The primary focus of evangelism is toward Satan. 2 Timothy 2:25-26 tells us that a lost person is "bound by the god of this world" and is in the "snare of the devil taken captive by him at his will." 2 Corinthians 4:4 says that he has "blinded the minds of them which believe not". The devil is the "strong man" who must first be bound and Jesus is the One who is stronger than the devil who can bind him. Through prayer, we need to appropriate the truth that Jesus has perfectly defeated Satan totally. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He conquered Satan. Further, redemption means that Jesus has bought us out of slavery, redeemed and ransomed us. Satan's strongholds can be attacked directly through prayer. Before a lost person can be saved, Satan's stronghold needs to be torn down and this is accomplished through intercessory prayer. The conquest that Jesus has accomplished must be appropriated. It doesn't mean anything at all for the devil to be defeated 2000 years ago if we don't awaken to that fact and claim the work of the cross. In prayer, an intercessor can exercise the faith of Calvary standing against Satan. The word of command that we have been given is the authority in His name to bind what He has bound and to loose what He has loosed. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can command obstacles and hindrances to the will of God to get out of the way. Before a lost person can believe, God wants us to cooperate by binding and loosing---rebuking and standing against Satan. Rebuking Satan on the lost person's behalf and binding him from that person's life is the role that an intercessor plays. + Plus, listen to the Mississippi Mass Choir singing "Don't Stop Praying" |
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| PLAY | Intercessory Prayer Can Keep the Wrath of God from Coming Upon a Nation or Individual (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #85) | May 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Daniel 9:3 which reads: "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
Our thought for today is that we should pray for the salvation of lost souls. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Logan. He said, "All great soul-winners have been men of much and mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by persevering, prevailing knee-work in the closet Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled INTERCESSORY PRAYER CAN KEEP THE WRATH OF GOD FROM COMING UPON A NATION OR AN INDIVIDUAL from Dr. J. Gordon Henry. Ezekiel 22:30-31 reads, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God." There are many facets of intercession which we have now covered in previous broadcasts. In this devotional, the theme is praying for the lost. Although the whole idea of intercession is a mystery that can never be answered completely, it is God's will that He operates in answer to prayer. Prayer enables God to do things He would otherwise not do. Prayer is not a means to get man's will done in Heaven; rather, prayer is God's ordained means for getting God's will done on earth. A vivid example of the importance of intercession is found in the text that we read earlier in Ezekiel 22:30-31 when judgment fell on a nation after God's failure to find a person to stand in the gap for the land. God needed a man to stand in the gap for the land that He would not destroy it. The practice of intercession can keep the wrath of God from coming upon an individual or a nation. Do you understand this truth? Do you believe this truth? Another example is the time the intercession of Moses written in Exodus 32:11-14 prevailed when God was going to destroy the people. + Plus, listen to Babbie Mason singing "Pray On" |
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| PLAY | Intercessory Prayer Can Keep the Wrath of God from Coming Upon a Nation or Individual (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #85) | May 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Daniel 9:3 which reads: "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
Our thought for today is that we should pray for the salvation of lost souls. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Logan. He said, "All great soul-winners have been men of much and mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by persevering, prevailing knee-work in the closet Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled INTERCESSORY PRAYER CAN KEEP THE WRATH OF GOD FROM COMING UPON A NATION OR AN INDIVIDUAL from Dr. J. Gordon Henry. Ezekiel 22:30-31 reads, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God." There are many facets of intercession which we have now covered in previous broadcasts. In this devotional, the theme is praying for the lost. Although the whole idea of intercession is a mystery that can never be answered completely, it is God's will that He operates in answer to prayer. Prayer enables God to do things He would otherwise not do. Prayer is not a means to get man's will done in Heaven; rather, prayer is God's ordained means for getting God's will done on earth. A vivid example of the importance of intercession is found in the text that we read earlier in Ezekiel 22:30-31 when judgment fell on a nation after God's failure to find a person to stand in the gap for the land. God needed a man to stand in the gap for the land that He would not destroy it. The practice of intercession can keep the wrath of God from coming upon an individual or a nation. Do you understand this truth? Do you believe this truth? Another example is the time the intercession of Moses written in Exodus 32:11-14 prevailed when God was going to destroy the people. + Plus, listen to Babbie Mason singing "Pray On" |
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| PLAY | Are You Called to be a Minister of Intercession? (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #84) | May 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Daniel 9:3 which reads: "And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes."
Our thought for today is that we should prayer with our full trust in God. Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers. He said, "We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled ARE YOU CALLED TO BE A MINISTER OF INTERCESSION from J. Gordon Henry. |
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| PLAY | Prayer Can Keep Evil People and Bad Situations Away From Us (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #77) | May 6, 2011 |
| First, a brief report on the events of the National Day of Prayer: "People from all around the nation gathered on their knees in a congressional conference room Thursday, asking for God's mercy and blessing for America. Longtime National Day of Prayer Chairman Shirley Dobson pointed out America's leaders have called upon their countrymen to call upon the Lord since 1775. "This has been our heritage. This has been our tradition," Dobson said. Glenn Shepherd, president of International Prayer Ministries, asked folks to get on their knees for a time of corporate repentance, pointing out it's a mandate across the scriptures.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 26:39 which reads: "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Evan Roberts. He said, "Prayer is buried, and lost and Heaven weeps. If all prayed, the wicked would flee from our midst or to the refuge." THE BURDEN TO PRAY: Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled the burden to pray from J. Gordon Henry. Without a definite burden, there is little incentive to exercise the discipline needed to pray. Note in Psalm 126:5-6, which reads, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him", we are told that results come when there is a burdened heart. Unless the gospel seed is watered with tears of concern, there will be little impact even if we go forth bearing the precious seed (which is the Word of God). A clear view of eternity is necessary for a burden. This will come only from knowing the Word of God. As a seventeen-year-old pastor in 1953, I remember vividly the burdens that developed as the Holy Spirit took the Word and made it live in minds. It seems to me that television and prosperity came along to rob believers of their burdens --- which has made a tremendous negative impact on spirituality. + Plus, listen to Beyonce singing "God Bless the USA" |
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| PLAY | It is Impossible to Rightly Govern a Nation Without God and the Bible (Prayer Motivator Minute #20) | May 5, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which reads: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
Our prayer motivator quotes for today are from George Washington who said, "Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government." George Washington Carver said: “May God ever bless, keep, guide, and continue to prosper you in your uplifting work for humanity, be it great or small, is my daily prayer. And may those whom he has redeemed learn to walk with Him not only daily or hourly, but momently through the things he has created." George Washington Carver also said: “My Prayers seem to be more of an attitude than anything else. I indulge in very little lip service, but ask the Great Creator silently daily, and often many times per day to permit me to speak to him through the three great Kingdoms of the world, which he has created, -- the Animal, Mineral, and Vegetable Kingdoms; their relations to each other, to us, our relations to them and the Great God who made all of us. I ask him daily and often momently to give me wisdom, understanding and bodily strength to do His will, hence I am asking and receiving all the time." |
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| PLAY | National Day of Prayer Edition: President Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King (The Prayer Motivator Devotional #76) | May 5, 2011 |
| Join us today on this special edition of The Prayer Motivator Devotional Broadcast as Daniel Whyte III marks the National Day of Prayer with prayer insights from President Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, R. A. Torrey and J. Gordon Henry.
Our thought for today is that prayer is the pathway by which God is able to do anything. Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 7:7-8 which reads: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey. He said, "Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God's infinite grace and power. All that God is and all that God does is at the disposal of prayer. But we must use the key. Prayer can do anything God can do, and as God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent." Our prayer motivator devotional for today is titled praying for our nation from J. Gordon Henry. Dr. Henry said... Since 1952, there has been a day set aside each year as a National Day of Prayer. Many across America have caught on to the value of such a day in our history and we want others to do the same. There should be some kind of organized praying in every church building for our nation on the first Thursday in May. Though days of prayer are found throughout our history and the National Day of Prayer has been observed since 1952, it has only had a specific calendar date authorized by Congress since 1988. The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation. It has been the foundation on which our country was established. The early Pilgrims engaged diligently in prayer. Today, both houses of Congress open their sessions daily with prayer. Certainly we need to come together to repent and confess sins and to ask for God's mercy. That is what Daniel did in Daniel chapter 9. God is the only one able to change the appetites, the hearts, and the minds of men. We need to ask Him to intervene in America as never before. We need to pray for leaders to come on the scene who will follow God's way in preserving a strong, moral nation. Many times such days of special occasion are neglected. Our attention is diverted elsewhere to many good things - programs, schedules, activities - which invade our lives nullifying our participation in national repentance and confession. We are reminded that we have not, because we ask not. James 4:2 says, "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not." There is no doubt that only God can spare America from self-destruction. Nothing can surpass the necessity, the failure and the results of genuine deep prayer by His children. After all, the formula given in 2 Chronicles 7:14 for the healing of a nation includes prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." |
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| PLAY | Andrew Murray and Psalm 37:7 | April 15, 2011 |
| The Prayer Motivator Minute #9 | ||
| PLAY | Robert Murray McCheyne and Psalm 145:18 | April 14, 2011 |
| The Prayer Motivator Minute #8 | ||
| PLAY | J.H. Jowett and Psalm 15:15 (The Prayer Motivator Minute #7) | April 7, 2011 |
| PLAY | Andrew Murray and Psalm 37:7 (The Prayer Motivator Minute #6) | April 6, 2011 |
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #3 | April 3, 2011 |
| PLAY | E.M. Bounds and Acts 1:14 (The Prayer Motivator Minute #2) | April 2, 2011 |
| PLAY | E.M Bounds and Psalm 22:5 (The Prayer Motivator Minute #1) | April 1, 2011 |
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute Devotional Broadcast #51: Sin and Prayer Oppose One Another in a Christian's Life | March 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 116:4 which says: “Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Bunyan, a Christian English writer and preacher who is well-known for writing the 'Pilgrim's Progress'. He said: “Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer." + Plus, listen to Deitrick Haddon singing "Prayer Changes Things" |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute Devotional Broadcast #50: Some of Us Do Not Pray Until We're in Trouble | March 29, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 116:4 which says: “Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers, a great Scottish pastor of years gone by and author of the classic devotional 'My Utmost for His Highest'. He said: “We do not pray at all until we are at our wits' end." + Plus, listen to Mahalia Jackson singing "Sweet Hour of Prayer" |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #49: You Can Learn More About Prayer by Simply Getting Alone and Praying | March 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Genesis 12:8 which says: “And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, a great Christian author on the subject of prayer. He said: “Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet." + Plus, listen to Albertina Walker singing "I Can Go to God in Prayer" |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #48: God Will Show Us Great and Mighty Things Through Prayer | March 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Samuel 1:15 which says: "And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J. Hudson Taylor, a Christian missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission. He said: "The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, 'Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!'" + Plus, listen to the Sensational Nightingales singing "Come, Ye Disconsolate" |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #47: Prayer is Leaning on Almighty God | March 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 62:8 which says: "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from W.S. Bowd, a pastor and Christian author. He said: "Prayer is weakness leaning on omnipotence." + Plus, listen to CeCe Winans singing "Pray" in our new music segment. |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #46: Prayer is the Most Important Thing You Can Do | March 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Chuck Smith, a pastor and author. He said: "The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #45: Prayer Helps Us to Lean on God | March 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Lamentations 3:41 which says: "Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Brother Lawrence, a pastor and author. He said: "There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #44: The Importance of Prayer for Christians and the World | March 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 99:6 which says: "Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Myles Munroe, pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries and bestselling author of several books. He said: "There is nothing more common among men, no human activity more universal, yet none more mysterious and misunderstood, than prayer." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #43: Start Your Day With God | March 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 26:41, which says: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Wesley, a Christian evangelist, theologian, and founder of the Methodist denomination. He said: "I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #42: Prayer Will Draw You Closer to God | March 16, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 22:5, which says: "They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, a great Christian writer of several books on the topic of prayer. He said: "Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer. Little acquaintance with God, and strangeness and coldness to Him, make prayer a rare and feeble thing." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #41: Get to Know God Better Through Prayer | March 15, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Job 6:8, which says: "Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!"
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Sadhu Sundar Singh, a Christian missionary to India. He said: "The essence of prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God, in speaking with Him, and living with Him in perpetual communion. Prayer is continual abandonment to God. Prayer does not mean asking God for all kinds of things we want; it is rather the desire for God Himself, the only Giver of Life, Prayer is not asking, but union with God." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #40: Prayer Does Not Change God's Purpose, but it Does Change God's Action | March 14, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Isaiah 58:9 which says: "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Chuck Smith, a pastor and author. He said, "Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #39: Pray to Know God Better | March 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 5:2, which says: “Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a South African teacher, writer, and pastor. He said: “Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #38: Prayer Brings God's Power to do God's Will | March 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 6:6 which says: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross, a Christian writer. He said, "Time spent alone with God is not wasted. It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #37: Keep Prayer at the Forefront of Your Life | March 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 5:16 which says: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Bonar, a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He said: “Oh brother, pray; in spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer; rather neglect friends than not pray; rather fast, and lose breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper— and sleep too—than not pray. And we must not talk about prayer, we must pray in right earnest. The Lord is near. He comes softly while the virgins slumber." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #36: Pray Consistently | March 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 5:13, which says: “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from George Mueller, a Christian evangelist and Director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England. He said: “It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly, continue in prayer until we obtain an answer." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #35: Prayer Can Save Souls | March 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is James 4:3, which says: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from David Smithers, a Christian writer. He said: “Where there is no vision of eternity, there is no prayer for the perishing." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #33: Prayer Influences God’s Actions in Our Lives | February 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Hebrews 4:16, which says: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon, a Christian minister and writer. He said: “Prayer does not influence God. Prayer surely does influence God. It does not influence His purpose. It does influence His action.” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #32: Persevering Prayer -- Praying it Through | February 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Timothy 2:8 which says: “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Mary Warburton Booth, an author of several devotional books. She said: “Depend upon it, if you are bent on prayer, the devil will not leave you alone. He will molest you, tantalize you, block you, and will surely find some hindrances, big or little or both. And we sometimes fail because we are ignorant of his devices…I do not think he minds our praying about things if we leave it at that. What he minds, and opposes steadily, is the prayer that prays on until it is prayed through, assured of the answer." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #31: How Prayer to God Changes People; Prayer for the President, New Zealand and the Middle East | February 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Timothy 2:1-4, which says: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, a great Christian author on the subject of prayer. He said: “Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still." Today, we also join in prayer for President Barack Obama, the victims of the earthquake in New Zealand and those who are being affected by the uprisings and protests for freedom in the middle east and North Africa. |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #30: Prayer is Essential for Ministers and Every Christian | February 23, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which says: “Pray without ceasing."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Edward Payson, a Congregational preacher in New Hampshire. He said: “Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a minister. Pray, then my dear brother; pray, pray, pray!." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #29: How Satan Tries to Keep Us from Praying | February 22, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Colossians 4:2, which says: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Paul E. Billheimer, a Christian minister, educator, and television host. He said: “Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #28: How Prayer Activates the Power of God in Our Lives | February 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Philippians 4:6, which says: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Tony Evans, who is a dynamic Christian preacher in Dallas, TX and president of the Urban Alternative. He said, "A lot of Christians are trying to operate their spiritual lives the way I drive my car. They are running on fumes—trying to get somewhere for the Lord without using the fuel that provides the spark that energizes the power of God resident within us through the Holy Spirit." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #27: Prevailing Prayer Brings the Power of God Into Our Lives | February 18, 2011 |
| The main purpose of this simple broadcast is to motivate you and encourage you to pray. Because if I can get you to pray, all sorts of wonderful things will begin to happen for you, your family, and whatever God has called you to do. We do not pray based upon our subjective feelings, we pray based upon objective facts based upon the Word of God. Today, I'm going to talk about how prevailing prayer brings the power of God into our lives.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Ephesians 6:18, which says: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Samuel Chadwick, a Methodist pastor. He said: "There is no power like that of prevailing prayer, of Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat of blood. Add to this list from the records of the church your personal observation and experience, and always there is the cost of passion unto blood. Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #26: What Prayer Can Do for You | February 17, 2011 |
| The main purpose of this simple broadcast is to motivate you and encourage you to pray. Because if I can get you to pray, all sorts of wonderful things will begin to happen for you, your family, and whatever God has called you to do. We do not pray based upon our subjective feelings, we pray based upon objective facts based upon the Word of God. Today, I'm going to talk about the things prayer can do for you.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Corinthians 14:15, which says: "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from S.D. Gordon, a Christian minister and writer. He said: "Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty; stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #25: Prayer is More Important than Work | February 16, 2011 |
| The main purpose of this simple broadcast is to motivate you and encourage you to pray. Because if I can get you to pray, all sorts of wonderful things will begin to happen for you, your family, and whatever God has called you to do. We do not pray based upon our subjective feelings, we pray based upon objective facts based upon the Word of God. Today, I'm going to talk about how prayer is more important than work.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Romans 8:26, which says: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a South African teacher, writer, and pastor. He said: "Time spent in prayer will yield more than that given to work. Prayer alone gives work its worth and its success. Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God's messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #24: Why we Need to Just Start Praying | February 15, 2011 |
| The main purpose of this simple broadcast is to motivate you and encourage you to pray. Because if I can get you to pray, all sorts of wonderful things will begin to happen for you, your family, and whatever God has called you to do. We do not pray based upon our subjective feelings, we pray based upon objective facts based upon the Word of God. Today, I'm going to talk about how we just need to start praying.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Luke 18:1, which says: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Laidlaw, a Christian minister. He said: "The main lesson about prayer is just this: Do it! Do it! Do it! You want to be taught to pray. My answer is pray and never faint, and then you shall never fail." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #23: How Prayer to God Brings Help | February 14, 2011 |
| The main purpose of this simple broadcast is to motivate you and encourage you to pray. Because if I can get you to pray, all sorts of wonderful things will begin to happen for you, your family, and whatever God has called you to do. We do not pray based upon our subjective feelings, we pray based upon objective facts based upon the Word of God. Today, I'm going to talk about how prayer to God brings help.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is John 14:13-14, which says: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, who is one of the men God used to impact my life on this important matter of prayer. He said, "Prayer is the greatest of all forces, because it honors God and brings him into active aid." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #22: Mark 11:24 and Andrew Murray | February 11, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Mark 11:24, which says: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a South African teacher, writer, and pastor. He said: “Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things ‘above all that we ask or think." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #21: Matthew 7:11 | February 10, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 7:11, which says: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Our prayer motivator quote for today is “God always answers our prayer. Either He changes the circumstances, or He supplies sufficient power to overcome them.” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #20: Luke 11:1 and Sidlow Baxter | February 9, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Luke 11:1, which says: “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Sidlow Baxter, a pastor, theologian, and author of over 30 books. He said: “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #19: 2 Chronicles 7:15 and Andrew Murray | February 8, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 2 Chronicles 7:15, which says: “Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a South African teacher, writer, and pastor. He said: “Many Christians backslide…They are unable to stand against the temptations of the world, or of their old nature. They strive to do their best to fight against sin, and to serve God, but they have no strength. They have never really grasped the secret: The Lord Jesus will every day from heaven continue His work in me. But on one condition—the soul must give Him time each day to impart His love and his grace. Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indispensable condition of growth and power.” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #18: Zechariah 4:6 and R.A. Torrey | February 7, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Zechariah 4:6, which says: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from R.A. Torrey, an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. He said: “We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results.” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #17: Matthew 7:7-8 and Martin Luther King, Jr. | February 4, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 7:7-8, which says: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martin Luther King, Jr., an African-American pastor and key leader in the civil rights movement. He said: “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #16: Matthew 6:5 and A.T. Pierson | February 3, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 6:5, which says: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from A. T. Pierson, an American presbyterian pastor and author of over 50 books. He said: “Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God’s presence. It is vain to say, ‘I have too much work to do to find time to pray.’ You must find time to pray or forfeit blessing. God knows how to save for you the time you sacredly keep for communion with Him." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #15: Matthew 5:43-44 and John Calvin | February 2, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Matthew 5:43-44, which says: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from John Calvin, an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation and one of the leaders in the development of Christian theology. . He said: “Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #14: 1 Samuel 3:10 and Matthew Henry | February 1, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Samuel 3:10, which says: “And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Matthew Henry, an English commentator on the Bible and presbyterian minister. He said: “You may as soon find a living man that does not breath, as a living Christian that does not pray." |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #13: Proverbs 15:8 and M.E. Andross | January 31, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Proverbs 15:8, which says: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from M.E. Andross, a Christian writer. He said: “If the Christian does not allow prayer to drive sin out of his life, sin will drive prayer out of his life. Like light and darkness, the two cannot dwell together..” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #12: Psalm 65:2 and George Mueller | January 28, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 65:2, which says: “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come..”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is a story about the great English evangelist and missionary George Mueller. It reads: “One day George Mueller began praying for five of his friends. After many months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Mueller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was rewarded, for soon after Mueller’s funeral the last one was saved.” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #11: Psalm 55:17 and J. H. Jowett | January 27, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 55:17, which says: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”
Our prayer motivator quote for today is from J. H. Jowett, a British minister who pastored churches on both sides of the Atlantic in England and in America. He said: “It is in the field of prayer that life’s critical battles are lost or won. We must conquer all our circumstances there. We must first of all bring them there. We must survey them there. We must master them there. In prayer we bring our spiritual enemies into the Presence of God and we fight them there. Have you tried that? Or have you been satisfied to meet and fight your foes in the open spaces of the world?” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #10: E.M. Bounds and Psalm 50:15 | January 26, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds. He said: “Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer.
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 50:15, which says: “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #9: Andrew Murray and Psalm 37:7 | January 25, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Andrew Murray, a South African teacher, writer, and pastor. He said: “Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!” Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 37:7, which says: “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.” | ||
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #8: Robert Murray M’Cheyne and Psalm 145:18 | January 24, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a Scottish minister and missionary. He said: “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”
Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 145:18, which says: “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” |
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| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #7: Oswald Chambers and Psalm 25:1 | January 21, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Oswald Chambers, a Scottish minister. He said: “The battle of prayer is against two things in the earthlies: wandering thoughts, and lack of intimacy with God’s character as revealed in His word. Neither can be cured at once, but they can be cured by discipline.” Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 25:1, which says: “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.” | ||
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #6: Adoniram Judson and Psalm 17:1 | January 20, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Adoniram Judson, one of the first American missionaries who served God in Burma for nearly 40 years. He said: “I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything but it came at some time; no matter at how distant a day, somehow, in some shape, probably the least I would have devised, it came.” Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 17:1, which says: “Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.” | ||
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #5: Martin Luther and Psalm 5:3 | January 19, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Martin Luther, the German protestant who God used to bring about the Great Reformation. He said: “If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” Our prayer motivator verse for today is Psalm 5:3, which says: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” | ||
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #4: Leonard Ravenhill and 1 Chronicles 16:11 | January 18, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from Leonard Ravenhill, a British evangelist. He said: “The true church lives and moves and has its being in prayer.” Our prayer motivator verse for today is 1 Chronicles 16:11, which says: “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” | ||
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #3: E.M. Bounds and Acts 1:14 | January 17, 2011 |
| Our prayer motivator quote for today is from E.M. Bounds, who is one of the men God used to impact my life on this important matter of prayer. He said: “The men and women who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day.” Our prayer motivator verse for today is Acts 1:14, which says: “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” | ||
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Show #2: Robert Murray McCheyne and Psalm 4:1 | January 9, 2011 |
| Robert Murray McCheyne: “I ought to pray before seeing any one…Christ arose before day and went into a solitary place. David says: ‘Early will I seek thee’… I feel it is far better to begin with God—to see his face first, to get my soul near him before it is near another.” Psalm 4:1: “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” | ||
| PLAY | The Prayer Motivator Minute #1: What the Prayer Motivator is All About | January 9, 2011 |
| From the host, Daniel Whyte III: I am convinced that most people do not need to learn how to pray; they need to Just Pray! Prayer is like any other important discipline in the Christian life. If you don’t do it, you won’t reap the benefits and blessings that God wants you to have. If you want to reap the benefits and blessings of prayer, then you need to Just Pray! This is what The Prayer Motivator Show is all about. Down through the years, nothing has motivated me to pray more than verses on prayer in the Bible and powerful quotes from saints of the past and present regarding their experience with prayer. | ||
