A Commitment To Prayer

The success of a ministry is not in the mechanics (we have the form down pat), it is in the motive, meditation, and relationship with God ! The foundation of our relationship with God must be built upon a solid prayer life.

God has called us to a lifestyle of prayer, not just faith. Knowing that prayer is the voice of faith.Jeremiah 33:3 advises, "call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not". If we are to understand the will of God for our lives, prayer must be taught.(Luke 11:1). If Revival is to break out, we must understand the power of intercessory prayer.If we are to show forth the love,compassion , and power of kingdom disciples, we must cultivate and grow in a consistent prayer life. One that produces answered prayer.

How can we know that our prayers have been answered? Well, the first thing we must understand is, feelings are not a determining factor as to whether God answers our prayers. If we pray according to His word, because His will is His word, we can be confident that our prayers will be answered. 1 John 5:14-15 says,"and this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." Therefore, knowing this, we should boldly approach Him with our request. People confuse boldness and confidence with arrogance! The lord says come boldly! My children and grandchildren come boldly when
They ask me for support of any kind. Why? Because they know that I love them, they have confidence.

Finally, be on guard for Barrier blockers of your prayer life. Remember, the flesh fights the Spirit of Prayer. If you reflect on the story of Jesus and His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-41) you will note that the chief enemy of disciples was sleep. In addition to the flesh , it is vital that you
Do not allow unforgiveness to impede your prayers. In Mark 11:25-26 we hear these instructions,"and when Ye stand praying, forgive, If Ye have aught against any: that your father also which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in Heaven forgive your trespasses."

Someone may be thinking, but how can I forgive what I can't forget? You make the decision to not penalize or punish the person for the offense committed against you . You are not asked to forget, you are but human, only God can both forgive and forget. Also, not forgetting equips us to install safeguards and guidelines so that it won't happen again.However, I chose not to hold it against the person because I desire to have my Prayers answered.

From the desk of Pastor Kevin L. Scott