THE POWER AND PURPOSE OF PRAYER IN WORSHIP

10/26/2020

My week begins each Monday with my men’s group meeting. I can’t even begin to express the love and gratitude I feel for having these guys in my life. They bring so much love, and wisdom, and pure joy to my life that I honestly wonder how I would ever thrive without their presence and blessing. Our group puts a huge importance on praying for each other, for our families, and especially for those people and things that truly need the intercession of our Lord. Our weekly meeting is served with prayer time, specific scripture readings, and deep discussion about how the deeper meaning from our scripture readings relates directly into our lives. As a group we have a true belief and appreciation that all Scripture is used as a whole to teach us, mature us, and show us and connect us to God, transforming us into His Character, His Ways, and His Pathway for each us. His Will for our lives is what we are striving for. A desire to be His. Worshipping Him, being Obedient to Him, and Maturing in our Personal Relationship with Him. One of the Key Components of our Worship and our Faith finds a solid grounding in Prayer ! What I have found is that Prayer is a very deep and complex act, yet also at it’s very core the most simple way to experience God in your life in a very intimate and personal way.

“REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU”. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

I CALL ON YOU, MY GOD, FOR YOU WILL ANSWER ME; TURN YOUR EAR TO ME AND HEAR MY PRAYER. Psalm 17:6

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. Philippians 4:6

Our group meeting this morning centered on three particular Scripture readings. Exodus 30: 1-10, Malachi 1: 11-27, and Revelation 8: 1-5. The readings center on Worship of God. They explore the use and presence of incense in Worship and Prayer. The essence of sacrifice on the altar, and the aroma it created. The wood that was used on the altar, priestly duties, God’s exact instructions to His priests They show us a picture of Heaven, and the golden altar in front of the Throne of God. They paint a picture in our minds and our hearts in HOW WE SHOULD LOOK AT WORSHIPPING OUR GOD, AND PRAYING TO HIM ! They show us the true power of reverence and awe that is required in our worship and prayer….

ANOTHER ANGEL WITH A GOLDEN INCENSE BURNER, CAME AND STOOD AT THE ALTAR. HE WAS GIVEN A LARGE AMOUNT OF INCENSE TO OFFER WITH THE PRAYERS OF ALL THE SAINTS ON THE GOLDEN ALTAR IN FRONT OF THE THRONE. THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE, WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS, WENT UP IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FROM THE ANGEL’S HAND. Revelation 8: 3-4

Prayer is an incredible path to a FULL AND COMPLETE relationship with God, but I truly believe it finds it’s true power when it is done in a manner that surrenders to the WILL OF GOD. So often prayer can become “Me” centered. It can become a sounding board for giving us things WE need, or circumstances WE desire, or even at times an outlet to Complain about things, other people, ourselves and our lives… Isn’t it amazing that we have the perfect role model for everything in our life in JESUS ! Jesus spent a great deal of His time in prayer, and also taught us exactly HOW TO PRAY !

BUT WHEN YOU PRAY, GO INTO YOUR PRIVATE ROOM, SHUT YOUR DOOR, AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN SECRET. AND YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU….

THEREFORE YOU SHOULD PRAY LIKE THIS: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE HAVE ALSO FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS. AND DO NOT BRING US INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE. Matthew 6:6-13

As I have matured in my faith, it has become clear to me that I represent the Kingdom of Heaven in all that I do. I am to act as a priest, serving all who are in need. My actions should reflect God’s Kingdom. My time should be focused on God, and how I can share the incredible Truth of the Gospel. I should be an intercessor for others in my prayer life. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be in prayer without ceasing. Be in constant contact with God throughout your day. Be looking to see times when you can pray for others and ask the Lord to help them. Jesus was always looking for those He could help and pray for, as were His disciples ! Prayer is what builds our faith and holds us steady in our lives. Prayer refreshes our spirit, our soul, and our mind. Prayer lets us SEE GOD”S POWER AND ASK HIM TO SET IT IN MOTION !

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. Philippians 4: 6-7

Now is the time to devote time and effort into prayer. More than ever, God needs to hear our voice reaching out to Him as our world today indeed faces many difficult challenges. Each of us can be bold in approaching God and asking Jesus to intercede for our needs and the needs of those around us. Can you find the time ? Will you make the effort ? Will you seek His Will ? Do you have the faith and desire ?

DEVOTE YOURSELVES TO PRAYER, BEING WATCHFUL AND THANKFUL. Colossians 4:2

THE LORD IS NEAR TO ALL WHO CALL ON HIM, TO ALL WHO CALL ON HIM IN TRUTH. Psalm 145:18

Pray With Purpose/JAA