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Week 5
When God Answers
The whole idea of having to do something (besides thank Him) with God's answer to my prayer is a new concept for me. I never thought of it that way. "What does God expect to accomplish with this answer?" (p. 27) Now I have to wonder how many times I dropped the ball when God answered my prayer!
Going back to Jeremiah 33:3 -- "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." We can't even imagine what God wants to do with us and for us! Are we ready to follow where God wants to take us?
The Place of Praise
It's hard to have an attitude of joy and thankfulness when things aren't going well. When I'm going through tough times, I claim the promise of Romans 8:28 -- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
I take solace in the fact that we have a sovereign God who knows everything and who loves us. I must admit, however, that I don't usually make it to the "pure joy" of James 1:2 -- "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds". I try to be thankful in all things, but having joy through trials escapes me yet.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on these chapters!
In Christ, Lisa
When God Answers
Of course God answers prayers, but I honestly never thought that there was more expected of me after I'd prayed & God had answered (other than the almost obligatory "PTL"). It never occurred to me that the answer to prayer is a curtain lifting to the next act, not merely closing the curent act. Too often I have acted like a petulant child not getting her way instead of seeing the longer-range plan when God says "no" or "wait" to a prayer.
The Place of Praise
I'm doing another Bible study at my church called, "Having a Mary Heart In A Martha World" and one of this week's major passages was Phil. 4:6-7. The focus was on not being anxious, but one way to turn from worry to thankfulness is to pray! I think God must be trying to get my attention with this because I've read the same thing twice in one day!!
"Lord, I know that my attitude isn't as thankful as it should be. Please give me that spirit which rejoices in all things." What else can I say? That echoes my heart better than anything I could have written.
Bethany
When God answers
What a thought! I think I have been praying and learning about prayer for so many years but yet this is a new concept. How amazing God is to teach us more and more about prayer. I think this is a goal to have that we say What is next Lord? when He answers. Right now God is bringing back many of His answers that I just let go and never asked Him to be a part of the next phase to that answer. I believe it is a pride issue to just say, "Okay your part is over God now it is back to me!" I was very convicted of this part of the book!
The Place of Praise
All I can say is that God deserves praise and we constantly fall short of giving Him the praise He deserves. Just when I think I am really good and including praise in my prayer, He shows me I can do so much more. And what is really cool about God is that He so deserves it even when things are not going pleasantly in our lives. The reason that comes to my mind is that we can praise Him for just being a part of our lives and wanting what is best for us even in the midst of trials! Wow! What a God we serve!
Beth
GOD ANSWERS....
BE WISE...oh sinner.
Be wise in how
we respond to
His answers.
BE WISE...oh sinner.
Be wise in how
we respond to
His answers.
I must say I am glad for others' responses this week!
When God Answers
I read this chapter a couple of times, and it just didn't get through my thick skull. When I read Bethany's response, I could see how important it is to ask God "what next then?" when we receive a "no" answer to a prayer.
Still couldn't understand why we needed to ask for more when God answers "yes" till I read Beth's email. Often though we might not see it right away, there is a "next phase" to most situations in our lives. And I am certainly guilty of taking the reins and thinking "I can do it myself" after I ask God's blessing.
The Place of Praise
I love the new praise songs we've been singing at church, and enjoy having them run through my mind throughout the week. We can never praise God enough, when times are good and when they are not. I am reading a book now called The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Learning to be thankful/content in every situation----well I could go on, but I'd challenge you all to read this book. It is stretching me farther than I could have imagined.
Praising Him for all of you.
Heather
When God Answers
I never gave any thought to the question " What does God expect to accomplish with this answer ?"
But it did make me realize what a selfish people we are.
We want our requests answered and that is that.
We find it hard to accept when God does not answer the way we want him to.
But he has a reason for everything he does and we need to think out of the box.
This book is a real eye opener to me.
I am glad to be studying it.
The Place Of Praise
A song I have says -
God wants to hear you sing
when the waves are crashing round you -
When the fiery darts surround you -
When despair is all you see.
I truly think the only way we learn to trust God is through the difficult times.
He wants us to run to him, not walk away.
And every bad experience makes you learn something about God and yourself.
When I fell last year and ripped my leg apart, I was just so thankful when I got up that I could walk.
There was alot of blood and pain for days and it really threw me off my walking routine, but I could walk.
And that is the way he wants us to be in everything.
I can honestly say I do not feel happy when things go wrong, but I am going to try to remember how I felt when I stood up after falling and try to apply that to my future problems.
Just to let you all know.
I said I had 2 pages of my own sins that God brought to mind, before I gave up trying to think of more.
These sins bother me, all due to this book.
So I got a notebook and wrote down the 1st sin.
Then I ask myself WHY do I do this.
Then I ask myself if I could find a way to not do this anymore.
I have done 5 sins now and doing it this way has brought a real understanding to me of my own faults and how to deal with them.
I have a long way to go, and I cannot do it everyday, it does take some thinking to be honest with yourself, but I intend to continue with it as long as I keep finding sin in my life.
Just wanted to let you know.
Linda K.
When God Answers
This whole idea of "The most important part of prayer is what we do with God's answers and how His answers affect us" is new to me too. How easy it is to just say "thank you" and move on. Beth suggested we ask "What next?" as we get answers from God. I like that better than the question the author put forth, "What does God expect to accomplish with this answer?" While there is value in pondering God's purposes and plans, He does not always let us in on them. However, "What next?" seems like a valid question to ask. He always has a plan even when he wants us to just wait on Him.
The Place of Praise
Here's a thought - Our thanksgiving for the hard things in life might be the most valuable because it is comes out of obedience and trust.
Gayle
Thought provoking chapter~ When God Answers
Recently read a book on prayer entitled DESTINED FOR THE THRONE by Paul E. Billheimer.
The premise of the book was
"God designed the program of prayer as an apprenticeship for an eternity of reigning with Christ."
This certainly is a new thought to me and of course it went along with the book we are currently reviewing, and after answered prayer we should have the question as stated on p. 28 ~
"What next, Lord?"
The Place of Praise~
It takes maturing in the walk with Christ to come to the realization that in everything "God isn't making a mistake in our lives. Yes as stated on p. 30 -"if we are going to be effectual intercessory pray-ers, praying in the will of God, it's not something we tack on the end of our prayers. It's a commitment to God's will, a way of life".
Unfortunately too often we want our will rather than SURRENDERING to "God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The above book I mentioned by Paul Billheimer has a section on praising God where he stated "It is continuous praise, praise that is a vocation, a way of life. "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" Psalm 34:1
This is the secret of overcoming faith
Linda S.
When God Answers
"The most important part of prayer is what we do with God's answers and how His answer affect us."
This is good stuff. Asking "What does God expect to accomplish with this answer?" is a neat thought. Because just when we thought prayer was amazing and an awesome privilege, there is more! He is so gracious to us that we can be a part of this!
The Place of Praise
Deep down joy is so amazing, it sustains us when we are in pain and sometimes feel hopeless. I've experienced this joy and wouldn't trade the trial for anything cause "good things don't come easy" I love the praise song "Blessed be the name" It says "You give and take away, Lord blessed be your name". That is my goal to bless His name whatever the circumstance.
I am really enjoying this study. I have committed something to prayer and God has answered that prayer vividly 2 times this week. I am so excited to see what He wants me to do with these answers, I know one thing He wants is to give Him the glory!!!! So I do, He is amazing!
Michele
Even though this is the first time I've responded, I've been reading the book since I received it! I read The Place of Praise on Dec. 19, early, early in the morning just before I drove into Boston with my daughter Monica for her mastectomy operation. "Do not be anxious about anything" really spoke to my heart, especially as we hit major traffic following an accident on the Mass Pike that delayed our arrival by almost an hour. Yet she was taken up to surgery right on time... God is truly in control. I'm always amazed how He provides just the verses and devotional material we need for a given day.
Melody
Week 6
Sin and the Christian
Praise God that we don't have to carry the weight of our sins! We know that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. What a gift from God! I now try to confess my sins before I pray each time. God is faithful to show me my sin if I ask him (by reciting Psalm 139:23-24). Did you ever feel like your prayers stop at the ceiling and don't reach up to God? I find when that happens, I've forgotten to confess and repent of sin.
I like what Evelyn wrote at the bottom of page 31 about the woman that objected to confessing sin. It's not like we make up the rules...God does! We just have to follow them.
Forgiven as We Forgive
This chapter dovetails right in with what we studied in the local group this afternoon! How can we expect God to forgive us if we can't forgive others? I'm reminded of the parable in Matthew 18:23-35. It's too long to quote here, but verses 32-33 sum it up pretty well: "Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?' "
If we honestly think about what God forgave us of, and how much it cost Jesus to purchase that forgiveness, how can we not forgive others?
If any of us has anything against someone else, in this group, or in our church, let's make it right this week. This is a hard thing to do...but God commands it (see Mark 11:25-26).
Have a great week!
In Christ, Lisa
Sin and the Christian
I am so glad God gave us 1 John 1:9. Many times I commit the sin of unbelief right after I do this task of confessing cause I doubt it's been cleansed! Hows that for trusting Him! Not good. Oh Lord forgive me!
Forgiven as we forgive
At the beginning of this year I was given several questions to ask myself about the previous year. These questions were to check my spiritual health. As I read them I was immediately convicted. The 3rd question said this: " Have I forgiven my neighbor 70 X 7? (and realized my need of forgiveness from others as well?) Wow!!!! that really puts it in perspective for me!
Michele
I love this book on prayer.
I can remember being in a bible study some years ago and one of our ladies would always start her prayers with repentance of sin. I often wondered why because I was of the mind set that Jesus had paid for all of our sins at Calvary but I have since grown to understand her wisdom and understanding. I now try to confess my many sinful ways for thoughts, attitudes, and deeds while remembering that without the Spirit of God within me I can not enter the Lords presence of my own.
What a blessing to be able to confess our sins with assurance of God's forgiveness.
Blessings,
Sue
Sin and the Christian
What a blessing and challenge --Forgiveness and confession. It is vital to realize the truth stated in Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you,that he will not hear" How wonderful the Holy Spirit convicts us when we go astray and will help us confess our sin as stated "even little sins can muddy up our communication system." P.31 What a blessing to realize God's forgiving grace to us sinners.
Forgiven as we forgive~
Another challenge daily-
p.34 "So unless we keep our relationship with other people clear, we cannot be effective intercessory pray-ers."
Yes, I echo the prayer at the end
Dear Father, Help me to forgive all who have sinned against me, so that You will forgive my sins-
making me eligible for a right relationship with YOU.
Another aspect to be completely dependent on God's Spirit in me to help me be sensitive and obedient.
Linda S.
When I read Sin and The Christian I thought here we go again, She really wants us to get this.
But what I have discovered is this -
LEARNING TO PRAY IS NOT THE WORDS YOU USE OR HOW WELL YOU SOUND
IT IS ALL ABOUT CLEANING OUT YOUR SIN LIFE SO GOD WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR YOUR PRAYERS
LOOKING INSIDE AND SEEING YOUR FAULTS, FACING THEM AND CORRECTING THEM AND THAT IS THE HARD PART
FACING OURSELVES AND ADMITTING ALL OF OUR SHORTCOMINGS
I never would have guessed that .
Forgiven as we Forgive.
It is easy to forgive someone, the hard part is wanting to do it. It is somehow fulfilling to carry that grudge around and think less of someone else for the mistake they made.
Does that make us feel better about ourselves ?
When I read this chapter I ask God to bring to mind anyone I have not forgiven for past hurts they have caused me.
I wanted to make sure I had forgiven everyone.
I did not want to carry that burden around with me.
And that is the best thing I like about forgiveness.
You are not saying what the person did was right, you are just releasing your anger toward them.
And that is freedom.
When Jesus died our sin burden was released from him.
I can't imagine how heavy that burden was.
No wonder he felt separated from God.
How kind he was to us.
Linda K.
Week 7
Righteous before the Lord
I'm glad this chapter is included in this book! I know that I had an interest in spiritual things for about a year before I learned that I needed to make a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. During that time, I prayed, and was involved in my church, but I certainly wasn't righteous in God's eyes! I am so grateful that He turned my life around and drew me to His side. I'm also grateful for the Christians in my life whom God used to bring me to salvation and for my spiritual journey ever since.
Finding your Prayer Closet
I confess, I don't get to spend a significant chunk of time at home in prayer. For me, my prayer closet is in the car, or once I'm in bed. Some of my largest chunks of time come in the middle of the night when God wakes me up and places a burden on my heart!
Continue to pray for each other as we progress through this book. I'm glad that we're doing it together. I am learning so much from reading your posts each week!
Have a great week!
In Christ, Lisa
Yes, yes that verse from James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" always sticks in my heart.
I realize that the only righteousness I have is the righteousness of Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I do confess sin at once when the Holy Spirit moves and convicts me. God does answer so many prayers. Yet to be identified as righteous is overwhelming. Again- it is Christ alone who clothes me in His righteousness. I praise and thank Him for His abundant grace and mercy to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Each day i spend time alone with God. Actually if I do not do this I find myself coming apart.
This has been an established discipline for me because I feel do needy if I do not have that time alone. I have a spare bedroom which is usually the place. I am blessed not to have to work so each day has at least approximately an hour with my precious LORD. I am also blessed to be part of prayer groups with other sisters praying for children and grandchildren through MITI. It gives me great joy and peace to have this time in communication with God.
Linda S.
Righteous Before the Lord
This is a chapter of putting first things first. We cannot come before our holy God with sin on our hands and hearts. As I read the chapter title, though, I too felt overwhelmed as Linda put it. Righteous - me? Are you crazy? But, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Cor. 5:21. Praise the Lord!
Finding Your Prayer Closet
I remember hearing someone say that Scripture is filled with examples of God's people spending extended times in prayer as well as sending up "arrow" prayers to the Lord (those quick requests, praises, and thanksgivings). Certainly both are needed in our lives and both involve drawing apart to God.
Gayle
Righteous before the Lord
I liked Evelyn's description on page 35 "if we are living in sin and liking it, if we are keeping it there, finding that it feels kind of good, if we're regarding---nurturing, patting that little sin along---God does not hear us." Yikes! How did she read my mind? Granted I haven't robbed any banks or shot anyone lately, but God sees those nasty little thoughts that I "nurture", He knows my heart. I'm not much for introspection, but need to start spending more time at this, then more time asking for forgiveness.
Prayer Closet
Sean gave us an example of immediate answered prayer just last week. He'd been feeling very, very ill when a friend called. When the friend asked "how are you?", Sean told him! It wasn't till later that he realized that he began to feel better right after that call. He contacted the friend and asked if he'd prayed for Sean after hanging up. You guessed it! Then answer was "yes". My point: when God brings someone or a situation to mind, take a moment to pray----right then!
Heather
Righteous Before the Lord
I thank God so often for saving me.
It truly was his desire, not mine.
I had no interest in him, but he wanted me.
He was patient, but persistent.
How lucky can one be.
Finding your Prayer Closet
Well I can't pray in my closets because they are all full of stuff. I do talk to God throughout the day and I do my devotional each morning and I read before going to sleep at night.
Living alone makes time with God easier to find, but I must confess I do not take advantage of it like I should.
It is something else I must work on.
Linda K.
Week 8
A Lark or an Owl?
Necessity has made me a Lark. If left to my own devices, I would become an Owl! But, since I have to be up early most mornings, I enjoy the sunrises and the quiet of early morning. I am blessed to work in a building with floor to ceiling windows, so even when I have to go to work before the sun rises (and sometimes come home after it sets!), I still get to see God's handiwork.
I try to start out each morning thanking God for a new day and listening for what God has to say. Sometimes I do it pretty well, other times the fog in my brain doesn't let very much through. Oh Lord, I pray for clarity of mind, so that I can hear what You have to say! "Speak; for thy servant heareth!" (I Sam 3:10b)
In One Accord
I've been trying to pray "in one accord" ever since I read this chapter last year (when I first got this book)! I still find that I'm doing the same thing that Evelyn talks about in this chapter, preparing my own prayer while the person in front of me is praying. I think that praying in one accord is very important when praying in a small group. Even if we have a small period of silence between each of the pray-ers while each person collects their thoughts (see next week's chapter!), we should still pray silently along with the person praying out loud, and not let our minds wander.
I am really enjoying this study! I find that when someone posts while I'm at work, reading the post gives me a lift. I appreciate all of your comments.
Have a great week!
In Christ, Lisa
A Lark or an Owl
"to stand every morning to stand and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening."
I Chronicles 23:30
Actually I am more of an owl than a lark, and yes we have "individual built in clocks that function differently" ~yet to stand and first thing praise the Lord every morning is good no matter what time one wakes up.
At times I do get up at sunrise a song that comes to mind at that time is by Fernando Ortega...
"When the morning falls on the farthest hill
I will sing His name, I will praise Him still.
When dark trials come and my heart is filled with the weight of doubt,
I will praise Him still~
For the LORD, our God, He is strong to save,
From the arms of death, from the deepest grave.
And He gave us life in His perfect will~
And by His good grace, I will praise Him still.
In One Accord
What a wonderful practice to pray in one accord. Often when praying with others I just grunt a silent "amen" or a "yes, LORD"when I am in one accord and total agreement with what is being prayed.
Years ago and perhaps still in some churches today an AMEN is uttered to voice agreement with what is being prayed , and this was a common occurrence.
Psalm 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity"
I think praying in one accord is good and perhaps even better than dwelling together in unity.
Actually Jesus in his prayer to the Father in John 17:21 prayed that we might be one and I think this could extend to our prayers....praying in one accord.
The closing sentence p.42
"How much more power there is in prayer when all the participants are praying in one accord!"
I say Amen to that thought.
Linda S.
A Lark or an Owl
Well I am not a lark.
I wake up in a fog and walk around in the dark as long as is possible. It takes me about an hour and 1/2 to get out of the house in the morning. And I am not an owl because by 7PM I am out of steam.
So I must be a Robin !!!!!!!!!!
Once I am moving I do well all day, but once I am tired then I must quit. But I need to start asking God what he wants me to do today. I usuaully just ask him to help me with the things I need to get done.
In One Accord
I find this very interesting and something I had never heard about before. Usually when someone is praying I try to listen to what they are saying, but I can't say I am praying with them.
If they go on too long then my mind does wander as it is really hard for me to concentrate on anything for to long a period of time. But the next time someone is praying I am going to try to pray with them instead of just listening.
It is an interesting option.
I really like this book.
I am learning so much.
Linda K.
A Lark or an Owl?
Sadly, neither! I used to be an owl, In college I was both (it's true - not much sleep!), then I don't know what happened. Oh wait, kids happened. These days I feel lucky to surface once or twice a week from "the tyranny of the urgent." I really need to pray for and look actively for just a little sliver of time somewhere each day to focus more on what God wants me to do specifically that day.
In One Accord
I'm also guilty of planning my own prayers while others are praying out loud. Here I thought I was the only one! Listening should be the easy part. I guess it's the focusing that's the harder part.
Bethany