Straight from the Word... Prayer Guide
Written by Carolyn “Jo” Gower
Iron Rose Sister Ministries has been covered in prayer from the beginning and in February, we turned our attention once again to our Father in Heaven asking for His plan in 2018 for this ministry. Prayer is also vital for our spiritual health, which is our theme this month.
The Bible mentions prayer more than 870 times. There seems to be a pattern of prayer in the Bible that should get our attention regarding our relationship with the Father. We are to communicate often with Him using His word and prayer. Prayer is not “saying prayers” but rather prayer becomes as natural as breathing as we draw closer to God. Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32, NIV). Therefore “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart...” (Heb. 10:22a, NIV).
The Bible chronicles some 650 prayers and records 450 answers. The Bible also records 10 major lessons on prayer by Jesus himself during His ministry. His disciples considered prayer training to be essential: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples" (Luke 11:1, NIV).
So how important is it to learn how to effectively pray? We miss out on blessings, “...You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). We could miss out on playing a part in bringing many people to Christ. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Jesus wants to use our prayer life as a tool to provide more workers, whether you become someone who is sent, or God uses you to do the sending. Both ways more workers will go and this will continue in fulfilling the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20.
As we think about Iron Rose Sister Ministries and our spiritual health, the following scriptures can be used as prayer starters. By taking one scripture at a time, it will help in flooding the gates of Heaven for the needed blessings for this ministry, for yourself, and for others.
Suggested Bible passages as prayer starters:
• Pray for your enemies. Matt. 5:43-44; Luke 6:27-28
• Pray in sincerity. Matt. 6:5-8
• The Model Prayer. Matt. 6:9-15; Luke 11:1-4
• Ask and it shall be given. Matt. 7:7-12; 1 John 5:13-15; Luke 11:5-13
• Ask for workers. Matt. 9:35-38; Luke 10:1-2
• Pray as a group in unity. Matt. 18:18-20
• Pray for all nations. Mark 11:15-17; Matt. 21:12-13; Luke 19:45-46
• Always pray and don’t give up. Luke 18:1-8
• Humble yourself before the Lord. Luke 18:9-14
• Effective prayer makes the difference. Mark 9:28-29
• Believe and don’t doubt. Mark 11:20-25; Matt. 21:18-22
• Don’t pray for show. Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:47
• Pray to overcome temptation. Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40, 46; 1 Cor. 10:13
• Pray in Jesus name and obey His commands. John 14:13-15, 15:7, 15:16, 16:23-27
• Pray with passion. Heb. 5:7
All of life’s questions can be answered straight from the Word of God including how to pray. Even when we don’t know what to pray there is help, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Rom. 8:26, ESV).
We are greatly blessed serving God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that help us pray! While you join us in praying for Iron Rose Sister Ministries, I’m praying for you as you serve Christ and grow in your spiritual health.
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