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" 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" (James 5:16). Fervent prayer! (By: Pastor L.R. Simas, Sr.) 3-16-09 |
How many times can you remember someone saying, "I'll pray for
you" or "I'll keep you in my prayers"? Have you ever considered
what this means?? Jesus' own disciples (learners) asked Him to
teach them how to pray. He then instructed them how to pray
and began to say what is today referred to as "The Lord's
Prayer". This prayer can be found in two locations in the Word
of God. First in Matthew 6:9-13 and again in Luke 11:2-4.
It is my belief that Our Lord was teaching them what they asked
for. In that He says, "After this manner therefore pray ye..."
(Matthew 6:9). Again Jesus is asked how to pray "...one of his
disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also
taught his disciples" (Luke 11:1). This means to me after this
pattern. Jesus showed them and us how to come before the
Father and even though God knows all your needs He wants to
hear from you. While the prayer Jesus used to teach was (in my
opinion) a model, nevertheless it is a pattern or a how to.
Armed with this vital information, how should we then offer
prayer?? I'd say with a heart felt meaning and careful thought.
Why careful thought?? Easy, have you ever prayed for someone
you disliked?? Did you give as much to that prayer (if offered at
all) as the one offered for a loved one or a friend?? Be honest God
is listening!! Thought so!!
“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“(James 5:16).
The verse above is about prayer. The first part is saying to tell
your brother or sister in the Lord, that you have wronged them.
It is not going to a location and entering a box, pulling a curtain,
and speaking to a man of the cloth about anything. Next, "that
ye may be healed" to me means, the relationship and fellowship
between you and whomever will be restored. After stating what
it was that you did to that brother or sister.
The most important part is the last, as it states what kind of
prayer does or has the most effect and or influence. The very
word "fervent" is not used by James by mistake. No, it is used to
show intent. Meaning, earnest or excited and warm, to give just
a few meanings. The word "effectual" according to Webster's
dictionary means: Producing an effect or the effect desired or
intended.
Now, how do you pray? To whom is it that you pray, and lastly
are these prayers heard?? I believe that all are heard. Are they
answered?? Now, that’s quite another thing indeed. If you are in
the Lord's family, then I truly believe your prayer requests are
heard and answered. With this in mind, we see or get e-mail with
so-called prayers in them. These e-mails ask us to send them to 3,
5, 12, people and in some time limit. They instruct us not to
break the forwarding (chain) or something like bad luck will
befall us. Or say we don't love God! They offer good luck and
blessings and the like if we comply. Let me ask of you then.
You've most probably seen the ones that quote Jesus saying this:
Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you
before my Father." Now, I collect a lot of bibles and have never
seen this exact quote. If you know which bible this came from
please let me know. This is what Jesus really stated,
" Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I
confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father
which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33). This refers to
witnessing! How then does one offer a witness if one is not one
of the Lord’s??
I don't believe anyone should be bullied into praying! If you have
a problem, or a need, maybe even a desire to bring before God,
Then bow your head (yes now) and say (even silently)
Father, I come to you at this time because....and continue to let
God know what is on your heart, mind and in your thoughts.
He'll listen and provide guidance. All anyone needs to do is ask,
pray!!
Wednesdays when a fellow pastor and I get together and spend
time in prayer, it is a most wonderful and loving thing we are
able to do. Because Jesus gave His life that we could have a
mediator or go between. Also, we know for sure we have a home
in heaven. You can too! God hears us and shows us His will for
us and answers the prayer offerings we leave with Him. You can
too! If you will earnestly seek God, and come before Him, His
way and not mans way. You’ll be praying as He would have you
too. We have no need of the traditions of men nor need to follow
the rudiments of men or any religions either.
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection provides and assures we
have a way to get into God's family and complete access to God's
throne of grace. How does one get out of the Devil’s family and
into God’s? Jesus tells us Himself.
Jesus said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the
father of it “(John 8:44). Now, if you’ll believe Jesus’ words
about Himself and that He is who He says He is, then you will
step out of the Devil’s family and into God’s! Think on these
things when next you see one of these e-mails that offer nothing
but vain or empty words and bring nothing to God at all!
Let me close by repeating what Jesus said to His disciples,"After
this manner therefore pray ye..." (Matthew 6:9).
To pray is to communicate with God and if you’ve accepted God’
s greatest of all gifts (Jesus), and then you can pray with the full
knowledge that God heard you and shall provide an answer,
according to His will for you. Please don't dismiss this as just
another of these forward types of e-mails. This one is different. It
brings honor and praise to Him that is worthy.
Remember what Jesus taught His own and you, if you'll listen to
Him, you too can reach God through prayer and through Jesus!
Until next time, remember Jesus died for you; will you live for
Him?? Please feel free to e-mail or write at the address below.
With love in Christ, whose I am and yours,
Pastor Popeye,
pastorsimas@hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Or write snail mail at:
Hyannis Baptist Church
Po Box 34
West Hyannisport, Ma.
02672-0034
Psalms 12:6-7 and Ephesians 3:8
Join us now on the web!!
http//:www.hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Where The Truth Shall Make You Free!!
you" or "I'll keep you in my prayers"? Have you ever considered
what this means?? Jesus' own disciples (learners) asked Him to
teach them how to pray. He then instructed them how to pray
and began to say what is today referred to as "The Lord's
Prayer". This prayer can be found in two locations in the Word
of God. First in Matthew 6:9-13 and again in Luke 11:2-4.
It is my belief that Our Lord was teaching them what they asked
for. In that He says, "After this manner therefore pray ye..."
(Matthew 6:9). Again Jesus is asked how to pray "...one of his
disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also
taught his disciples" (Luke 11:1). This means to me after this
pattern. Jesus showed them and us how to come before the
Father and even though God knows all your needs He wants to
hear from you. While the prayer Jesus used to teach was (in my
opinion) a model, nevertheless it is a pattern or a how to.
Armed with this vital information, how should we then offer
prayer?? I'd say with a heart felt meaning and careful thought.
Why careful thought?? Easy, have you ever prayed for someone
you disliked?? Did you give as much to that prayer (if offered at
all) as the one offered for a loved one or a friend?? Be honest God
is listening!! Thought so!!
“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“(James 5:16).
The verse above is about prayer. The first part is saying to tell
your brother or sister in the Lord, that you have wronged them.
It is not going to a location and entering a box, pulling a curtain,
and speaking to a man of the cloth about anything. Next, "that
ye may be healed" to me means, the relationship and fellowship
between you and whomever will be restored. After stating what
it was that you did to that brother or sister.
The most important part is the last, as it states what kind of
prayer does or has the most effect and or influence. The very
word "fervent" is not used by James by mistake. No, it is used to
show intent. Meaning, earnest or excited and warm, to give just
a few meanings. The word "effectual" according to Webster's
dictionary means: Producing an effect or the effect desired or
intended.
Now, how do you pray? To whom is it that you pray, and lastly
are these prayers heard?? I believe that all are heard. Are they
answered?? Now, that’s quite another thing indeed. If you are in
the Lord's family, then I truly believe your prayer requests are
heard and answered. With this in mind, we see or get e-mail with
so-called prayers in them. These e-mails ask us to send them to 3,
5, 12, people and in some time limit. They instruct us not to
break the forwarding (chain) or something like bad luck will
befall us. Or say we don't love God! They offer good luck and
blessings and the like if we comply. Let me ask of you then.
You've most probably seen the ones that quote Jesus saying this:
Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you
before my Father." Now, I collect a lot of bibles and have never
seen this exact quote. If you know which bible this came from
please let me know. This is what Jesus really stated,
" Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I
confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father
which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33). This refers to
witnessing! How then does one offer a witness if one is not one
of the Lord’s??
I don't believe anyone should be bullied into praying! If you have
a problem, or a need, maybe even a desire to bring before God,
Then bow your head (yes now) and say (even silently)
Father, I come to you at this time because....and continue to let
God know what is on your heart, mind and in your thoughts.
He'll listen and provide guidance. All anyone needs to do is ask,
pray!!
Wednesdays when a fellow pastor and I get together and spend
time in prayer, it is a most wonderful and loving thing we are
able to do. Because Jesus gave His life that we could have a
mediator or go between. Also, we know for sure we have a home
in heaven. You can too! God hears us and shows us His will for
us and answers the prayer offerings we leave with Him. You can
too! If you will earnestly seek God, and come before Him, His
way and not mans way. You’ll be praying as He would have you
too. We have no need of the traditions of men nor need to follow
the rudiments of men or any religions either.
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection provides and assures we
have a way to get into God's family and complete access to God's
throne of grace. How does one get out of the Devil’s family and
into God’s? Jesus tells us Himself.
Jesus said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the
father of it “(John 8:44). Now, if you’ll believe Jesus’ words
about Himself and that He is who He says He is, then you will
step out of the Devil’s family and into God’s! Think on these
things when next you see one of these e-mails that offer nothing
but vain or empty words and bring nothing to God at all!
Let me close by repeating what Jesus said to His disciples,"After
this manner therefore pray ye..." (Matthew 6:9).
To pray is to communicate with God and if you’ve accepted God’
s greatest of all gifts (Jesus), and then you can pray with the full
knowledge that God heard you and shall provide an answer,
according to His will for you. Please don't dismiss this as just
another of these forward types of e-mails. This one is different. It
brings honor and praise to Him that is worthy.
Remember what Jesus taught His own and you, if you'll listen to
Him, you too can reach God through prayer and through Jesus!
Until next time, remember Jesus died for you; will you live for
Him?? Please feel free to e-mail or write at the address below.
With love in Christ, whose I am and yours,
Pastor Popeye,
pastorsimas@hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Or write snail mail at:
Hyannis Baptist Church
Po Box 34
West Hyannisport, Ma.
02672-0034
Psalms 12:6-7 and Ephesians 3:8
Join us now on the web!!
http//:www.hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Where The Truth Shall Make You Free!!
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