Monday, January 31, 2011

MyAnswer: Billy Graham "Prayer Power Works Every Hour"

Prayer Power Works Every Hour

My problem is that I cannot concentrate when I pray. In other matters I am quite able to keep my mind from wandering but not when I kneel to pray. Is there something wrong with me?

There is not necessarily anything wrong with you. This was the problem the disciples had in the Garden of Gethsemane. They went to sleep when they had been commanded to "watch and pray." Of all the activity of the Christian life, prayer is the most difficult. The Bible even points this out, saying that "We know not how to pray as we ought."

   Someone has said: "Satan trembles when the weakest saint is upon his knees." When we get to Heaven, I am convinced we will be amazed at our prayerlessness. Prayer can move mountains. Thus Satan will do all in his power to distract you. You may never be entirely free from distraction in prayer, but you can improve by quoting Psalms, using prayer helps. Remember also that prayer is a two-way conversation. Be still and listen for the voice of God. Most of us want to do too much talking in prayer. God has promised special help in the matter of prayer. "And in like manner the Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us" (Romans 8:26). No matter what your problem, don't get discouraged. Continue to pray.

Is it more meaningful to kneel while you pray? Is it just an expression of humbleness, or are one's prayers more likely to be heard when kneeling?

It is not the posture of the body, but the attitude of the heart that counts when we pray. The Bible speaks of bowing in prayer, kneeling, on the face before God, standing, sitting, and walking. The important thing is not the position of the body but the condition of the soul. If the heart is attuned to God, one can pray in any posture imaginable.

   Jesus prayed sitting, standing, kneeling, and in a prone position. Moses often fell on his face to pray. Daniel frequently kneeled. The disciples were sitting in the upper room when the Holy Spirit descended upon them in answer to prayer. Ahab prayed with his face between his knees.

   There are times when I like to kneel in prayer. There are other times when it seems more natural to sit or stand. I don't believe there is any special virtue in any particular posture. God doesn't look upon the outward appearance, but upon the heart.

Is it always necessary to pray for long periods of time to maintain a spiritual outlook?

It is not the length of the prayer that is important. Do you think God is persuaded by long prayers or by the earnestness with which we pray? Put it on the level of the human: What makes the strongest impression on you? Is it the long but indifferent request or the terse but earnest plea of one who has a strong desire? I am sure you can see that it is the condition of the heart and the definiteness of the request that makes the difference. Jesus said, "When you pray, do not as the heathen do, using vain repetition." The simple and direct request in Jesus' Name will accomplish far more than millions of halfhearted and indefinite words. Finally, pray expecting. God knows when you pray without hope of an answer. You cannot pray unless you pray with hope.

   It is interesting to note that Jesus often prayed all night in private but His public prayers were very brief.

In a public function where there are people of different faiths, should a Christian pray and not pray in the name of Christ?

I presume that the question is taking into consideration the possibility of praying in the name of Christ offending some of another faith. The real consideration is whether we shall offend God. Christ has specifically told us to make our prayers in His name. To omit His name for the sake of a supposed courtesy to others is a very dangerous procedure. An American citizen will proudly admit his American citizenship, regardless of who is present. Should Christians refuse to admit their Christian citizenship for fear of offending others? Your question is of considerable importance because the New Testament teaches so plainly that man has access to God in and through the name of His Son. That is why we end our prayers, "For Christ's sake." I have a friend who recently had a caller. The young man standing at the door (a total stranger to him) said: "I saw your son out in New Mexico last week." He was immediately welcomed into the home, not because of who he was but for the sake of the son in the West whom they had not seen for some time. In the same way we are "welcome" to God only because we know His son.

How can I get close to God? Praying to Him is like praying to a brick wall; and although countless prayers of mine have been answered, it seems that my prayers just slide into the blackness of I-don't-know-where. Do you think you could possibly help me?

I'm afraid you are trying to use God as a genie, as a kind of Aladdin's lamp proposition. You say that countless prayers have been answered. That seems to me like a pretty good average. God answers all of our prayers, but in His wisdom, he often answers some of them with a "no."

   Prayer is not using God; it is more often to get us in a position where God can use us.

   I watched the deck hands on the great liner, United States, as they docked that ship in New York Harbor. First, they threw out a rope to the men on the dock. Then inside the boat the great motors went to work and pulled on that great cable. But oddly enough, the pier wasn't pulled out to the ship; but the ship was pulled snugly up to the pier.

   Prayer is the rope that pulls God and man together. But it doesn't pull God down to us: it pulls us to Him. We must learn to say with Christ, the master of the art of prayer: "Not my will; but thine be done."

We know people who won't help a living thing. They drink, they swear, and they lie . . . and yet they seem to prosper. Is this the kind of life God wants? Does He answer the prayers of the wicked? I pray, but despair of ever having wealth like other people have. Please help me and make me believe there is a God.

I detect a tone of bitterness and resentment in your letter, and I am sorry for you. You should not envy the material prosperity of people who are spiritually impoverished! Jesus said: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

   Resentment and bitterness are hell's greatest destroyer's of human happiness. They canker the spirit, and will rob you of the joy you are entitled to. Nowhere do we read in the Bible that the scales of life are in perfect balance. Jesus spoke of the greedy rich man who had much, and the good Lazarus who had nothing. But in the afterlife, their positions were reversed, and in due time they were both rewarded.

   I suggest that you obey the commandment "Thou shalt not covet,"

and give your time and attention to accumulating spiritual treasure — the kind that will endure throughout eternity. "Seek first the kingdom of God."

Why is it that so many prayers are unanswered? In fact, I wonder if there is anything to prayer at all.

There are many reasons why prayer is not answered. God is by no means obliged to answer every prayer for every person. The Bible tells us that sometimes prayers are not answered because we nourish and cherish sin in our hearts. Again it tells us that it is because we desire things to consume on ourselves, in other words, selfish reasons. But most of all, you should remember that God promises to answer prayers for certain things, not just anything. He will answer the prayer of any sinner who prays for pardon in the name of Jesus (Romans 10:13). He will give Himself in His fullness to any believer who sincerely desires His fullness (Luke 11:14). He promises to cleanse all the sins of any child who comes to Him confessing his sin (I John 1:9). He will give wisdom and spiritual insight to those who acknowledge their lack and who sincerely desire such wisdom (James 1:15). If you are a fully yielded Christian, and commit your whole life to Him, He promises to give you even the whole desire of your heart (Psalm 37:4, 5). This is a simple formula, but it will encourage you to pray according to His will. Then you will not need to feel that God ignores your request.

   Of course, there are many other prayers that God answers that are not mentioned in the Bible — if we pray according to His will in Christ's name with a motive to glorify God.

I have been praying that my husband would become a Christian and stop drinking. Can he be saved through my prayers if he doesn't pray about it? I can't talk to him about it because he becomes violently angry when I do, and then he just drinks all the more.

Certainly God can answer your prayers to bring about the conversion of your husband, but don't be more concerned about discovering a cure for his drinking than in the conversion of a lost soul. It is doubtful if selfish prayers are given much consideration in heaven. In the Bible it is written: "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it in your pleasures" (James 4:3). As good as prayer is, and as persistent as your prayers may be, it is essential for you to pray without any selfish motive.

   But before your husband is truly converted he will have to pray. Everyone does. It is the simple prayer of a penitent sinner who prays: "God be merciful to me, a sinner, and save me for Jesus' sake." The best part of it is that if he would do just that simple thing, God would accept him, not for his own goodness, but because salvation has been offered to all who trust in Christ.

   It is also important that you don't nag your husband about this matter. The Bible says: "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the life of the wife" (I Peter 3:1).

My husband is in prison and we need him so. I've prayed that God would let him out, but so far my prayers have not been answered. Help me to know how to pray.

I am sorry that your husband is in prison. This is tragic, not only for him, but for his family. These things have a way of following a man down through the years, with the family bearing a big end of the reproach.

   I can realize how badly you want your husband to be released, but may I remind you that God does not defy law and order. Obviously, your husband committed a wrong, and the Bible says: "Whatsoever a man soweth, that same shall he also reap."

   You ask that I tell you how to pray. First, pray that grace will be given you to bear the reproach of being a convict's wife. This will not be easy. But, if you love him, which you obviously do, you will share in his suffering and embarrassment. Then, you should pray that this prison sentence will serve as a time of soul improvement for your husband. I receive letters from prisoners every week, telling how they discovered God behind the bars. Many men have come out of prison changed men. Pray that your husband might meet Christ there, and that the motives which led him into evil will be removed and remedied.

   Then pray for the parole board, that if and when your husband has earned parole that they will have wisdom as to how to deal with his case. May God bless you and give you patience and strength.

Can a person be saved by his mother's prayers?

A man who has a praying mother has a most cherished possession. I can think of no greater heritage than that of a saintly, praying mother. I have thanked God over and over again for a Christian mother.

   However, though a mother's prayer may greatly influence a man's life and invoke the mercy of God on his behalf, it could hardly be said that a person can be saved by his mother's prayers. Our decision for Christ is one that we must make ourselves. Your mother's faithful prayers may have a great effect on you, but the ultimate and final decision is up to you. This is said with no intention of minimizing the value and effectiveness of faithful, praying parents.

   Once in Northern Africa there was a Christian mother named Monica. She had a wayward son who was given to drunkenness and reveling. Before he left for a trip to Italy, she prayed all night that he might not go, but he went anyway. Later he wrote: "That night I stole away and she was left behind in weeping and prayer. And what, O Lord, was she with so many tears asking of Thee but that Thou wouldst not suffer me to sail? But thou in the depth of thy counsels, knowing the main point of her desire, regardest not what she then asked, that Thou mightest accomplish the greater thing for which she was ever imploring Thee." Though long delayed, the mother's prayers were answered for that boy became the great Christian, St. Augustine.

Since God is infinitely busy with the great affairs of the universe, should we bother Him by praying about minor matters in our lives?

Your trouble seems to be that you have a wrong idea about God. Your conception of Him is far too small and limited. You are thinking of Him as though He were a finite being like yourself; whereas the God revealed to us in the Bible is a Being of infinite power and love. And the ultimate miracle is that He is not so busy with the great affairs of the universe that He cannot bother about these little lives of ours.

   The mighty God who created the world and set the stars in motion is personally interested in every one of us. He loves us with an everlasting love. He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. The Cross is the measure and proof of how much He cares for us. And when by faith in Jesus Christ we respond to His love, we enter into a new and very personal relationship with Him as His children.

   The Bible says concerning the Lord Jesus: "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). When thus we receive Christ as our Lord and Saviour, God becomes known to us not only as the omnipotent Creator but as our loving Heavenly Father. And because He is our Father, He delights to hear and answer our prayers. He invites us to cast all our care upon Him because He cares for us.

How can I have faith that God will care about the comparatively trivial problems?

One of the striking truths in the teachings of Jesus is that God is concerned about, and cares for the "little things." He said: "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

   Sparrows and hairs! What could be more insignificant? And yet His eye is on the sparrows, and he keeps record of the number of the hairs of your head! Since our minds are finite, it is difficult to grasp the ability of an infinite God to be interested in our trivial problems. But the Bible says that he is. It says, "Ye are of more value than many sparrows." It is reasonable to believe that God, who was concerned enough to send His Son to redeem us, is interested in the little burdens and cares that distress us. Just as an affectionate parent is interested in every little detail of his child, just so, only in greater measure, God cares for us. Peter, who had discovered God to be the God of little things, said: "Cast all your care upon Him, for he careth for you."

Sometimes when I am trying to pray I am distracted by all kinds of thoughts of both good and evil. They come racing through my mind until I feel that I know nothing at all about praying. This has made me doubt my salvation. Is it true that if I am saved these things will not happen to me?

There are very few people who know how to pray without interruption in thought. There are also very few who know exactly what to pray for. Romans 8:26 tells us that prayer is the great weakness of the average Christian, but it also tells us that we have help in our praying. In every other area of the Christian life we draw upon God's resources by recognizing our own weakness and insufficiency. I think you would find it true in your own prayer life that you will find new joy and new effectiveness in praying if you came to realize that you need the assistance of the Holy Spirit in your praying, and depend upon Him to prompt you and to direct your thoughts. Practice your prayer life in this way, and you will find it to be a richly rewarding experience. Spend plenty of time in your meditation upon the Scriptures for through His Word, God will encourage you to pray.

EveryDayAnswers: The Cause and Cure for Worry

Everyday Answers

The Cause and Cure for Worry
by Joyce Meyer
Worry, feeling uneasy or troubled, seems to plague multitudes of people in our world today. It’s human nature to be concerned about the bad situations in our world and in our personal lives, but if we're not careful, the devil will cause us to worry beyond what’s reasonable. Worry is like a rocking chair—it’s always in motion but it never gets you anywhere. So why do we struggle with it? And what good does it do? Worry is the opposite of faith, and it steals our peace, physically wears us out, and can even make us sick. When we worry, we torment ourselves—we're doing the devil's job for him! Worry is caused by not trusting God to take care of the various situations in our lives. Too often we trust our own abilities, believing that we can figure out how to take care of our own problems. Yet sometimes, after all our worry and effort to go it alone, we come up short, unable to bring about suitable solutions. 

At a young age, I discovered firsthand that people hurt people, so I didn't trust others. I tried to take care of myself, deciding not to depend on anyone who would hurt or disappoint me. Too often our experiences in the world teach us this, and even after we become Christians, it takes a long time to overcome it. It’s difficult to learn how to trust God, but we eventually must learn that trying to take care of everything ourselves is too big a task. 

CAST YOUR CARES ON THE ONE WHO CARES FOR YOU 

First Peter 5:6,7 says, Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Since Jesus invites us to cast all of our care and worry on Him, why do so many of us refuse to let go? Apparently, we’re not yet fed up with being miserable. 

The only way to have victory in our lives is to play by God's rules, and He says we must quit worrying if we want to have peace. So when things come our way that cause us to be concerned, we need God's help. How do we get it? First Peter 5:6,7 lists two important steps: 1) humble yourselves, and 2) cast your care on Him. That seems pretty clear and simple, yet some continue struggling because they’re too bullheaded to ask for help. But the humble get the help. So if your way isn't working, why not try God's way? All of us would be better off if we’d learn to lean on God and ask for His help. But as long as we try to do everything ourselves, God will let us. He won’t take care of our problems and worries—our cares—until we turn loose of them and give them to Him. Either we’re going to do it or God's going to do it, but both of us aren’t going to. Now, casting your care doesn't mean you can be irresponsible. God won’t do for you what you can do yourself. You must do what you can do, and then trust God to do what you can’t. When we humble ourselves and ask for His help, then He’s able to release His power in our situations. It’s only then that we can really enjoy life. So the cure for worry is humbling ourselves before God, casting our cares on Him, and trusting Him. Instead of making ourselves miserable trying to figure everything out on our own, God wants us to place our trust in Him and enter into His rest, totally abandoning ourselves to His care. I know that when we are able to believe and say, "God, I trust You," it will literally change our lives. Psalm 37:3 says, Trust…in the Lord and do good.... God didn't create us to worry about helping ourselves all the time. He wants us to sow good seed by reaching out to help others. When we simply trust God and get busy doing the good things we know to do, then He’ll bring a harvest of blessings into our lives and meet our needs.

DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF FAITH AND PRAYER 

I’ve learned that my attitude has a lot to do with living a worry-free life. There will always be situations that cause us concern, but with God's help, we can live above all of it and enjoy life. Cast your care on the Lord and say, "God, I trust You, and I'm going to enjoy the life You have given me." When you give your problems to God, you must also decide to be satisfied with His answers. Trusting God to do what's best for us involves dying to self. Paul said, ...it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20). You can trust God to do what's best for you, so you don't have to worry about it. When you have a positive attitude and keep your faith in God, you can’t be defeated. 

We must stop trying to make things happen the way we want and get to the place where we desire to please God more than ourselves. The Christ in us has to supercede what we want. Faith and the Word of God will help you overcome worry. Worrying involves negative thoughts, but speaking positive things out of your mouth will interrupt those negative thought patterns. When we are full of the Word of God, we can speak it out of our mouths in faith. Faith is stronger than doubt, negativism and unbelief. Faith has a positive attitude that can overcome our past and lead us into a great future. Faith is a powerful force that cannot be conquered. Another powerful force is prayer. When you're under pressure, it’s always best to pray about it instead of talk about it. Prayer is the blueprint for a successful life. During His time on earth, Jesus prayed. He entrusted everything to God—even His reputation and life. We can do the same. We don't have to explain all the problems to Him; we can just give them to Him and ask Him to take care of everything. Don't complicate prayer. Just have confidence in simple, believing prayer. 

Look at Paul's instructions in Philippians 4:6,7: Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. If you're a Christian who goes around burdened or weighed down all the time, something is wrong. You may have had faith in Christ for salvation, but you haven't moved into walking in faith daily for the life that God has given you. The Bible tells us that God is faithful—that's one of His major characteristics. He can be counted on to come through for us, so we should trust Him totally and completely. When we do, we’ll be ready for anything that may come our way. 


ALLOW GOD TO GIVE YOU PEACE AND REST 

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Jesus wants to ease our burdens and give us rest. The Message Bible says it this way: Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly (Matthew 11:28-30). That sounds good, doesn't it? I've had enough heavy stuff in my life, and I want to be free. It's nice to know that we don't have to figure everything out. We need to get comfortable with saying, "I don't have a clue, but I'm not going to worry about it because God’s in control. I'm going to live free and light!" When we’re overloaded with the cares of this life—struggling, laboring and worrying—we need some help. Our minds need to rest from worrying about how to take care of problems, our emotions need to rest from being upset all the time, and our wills need a rest from stubbornness and rebellion. So we need to be humble enough to call out to God and say, "I need help!" Your beginning doesn't have to dictate your ending. Get God involved in every area of your life and allow Him to lead you into rest. 

WORRY OR WORSHIP? 

Worry and worship are exact opposites, and we’d all be much happier if we learned to become worshippers instead of worriers. Worry opens the door for the devil, but worship is reverence and adoration for God that leads us into His presence. God created us to worship Him, and I don't believe we can walk in victory if we don't become worshippers. Sometimes when we don't have what we need or want, the enemy tries to discourage us and keep us from worshipping God. But when we know that God has our best interests at heart, we can worship Him regardless of our circumstances. Remember, God is good even when our circumstances are not! God doesn't always give us our heart's desire right away. He wants us to develop a deep, personal relationship with Him and an outrageous love for Him so much so that we can't live without it. This kind of relationship and love brings the worshipful attitude that God wants us to have. 

To worship means “to reverence,” or “to defer to.” We are to have reverential fear and awe of God. We are to respect and honor Him, and defer to Him by submitting to and obeying Him, and adapt ourselves to His will. We must realize that Christ, living in us, has come to lead and guide us into a special lifestyle of worship and victorious living. When Satan throws worry on you, I challenge you to stop what you're doing, get down on your knees before God, and begin praising Him. Worship is a spiritual weapon, a warhead or bomb you can use against the enemy. Your prayers and worship will get you heavenly help, and you won't have to fight your own battles. God's grace and power can make things happen with ease that you can't bring about no matter how much you struggle. 

So stop worrying about everything, give it to God, and live in grace. Grace isn’t just divine favor—it’s power! Don't waste another day of your life worrying. Determine what your responsibility is and what it is not. Don't try to take on God's responsibility. When we do what we can do, God steps in and does what we can't. So give yourself and your worries to God and begin enjoying the abundant life He has planned for you. 

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