Principles of Prayer

(Parable of the Persistent Widow)

Luke 18:1-8

“1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

Our greatest blessing enjoyed by Christians in this life is the privilege of prayer, by which we can approach God for…

1.      Forgiveness-

1 John 4:9

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

 

       2.      Peace-

Philippians 4:6-7

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

 

3.      Strength-

Ephesians 3:14-16

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man;”

*Paul exhorted Christians to be diligent in prayers…

a. Ephesians 6:18

“Prayer always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

b. Colossians 4:2

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

 

c. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Pray without ceasing.”

*Request granted, but not as you might expect

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

For Example: When you ask God for strength and perseverance, he may give us trials to bear, which in turn develops the virtues we prayed for!

 

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Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world!

You have made it to the point where you’ve reached the end of your rope, you have nowhere to turn and you are all alone on the battlefield with thousands ready to attack you. To those people, I have something that can give you hope, direction and the ammunition you need to help you fight your battles. This very solution comes from the Word of God and accepting Jesus in your heart. Believe me when I say, I know that even though we all go through different obstacles in life, just remember that there is a power that can knock all of them down!

1 Timothy 6:12

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

*As believers in Christ, we face problems every day, but we always have to reflect on who can handle these problems in the best way possible. We can’t resolve issues in the flesh, but give it to Jesus and all things will be taken care of, while He gives you peace and comfort through your troubled times. When it is to the point that people are coming against you, and you feel overwhelmed, read Luke 10:19…

Luke 10:19

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

*We have the power and the victory to overcome and defeat any enemy that comes before us. We don’t lash out at them through violence or mean words, but we use the Word of God to do the fighting for us. Read and live by what God has given us: our road map/the Bible. The bible is our weapon to fighting our enemy with, and faith is needed to trust Him and the word He leads us to live by. *

Ephesians 6:16-17

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”

*When we reflect upon the power we have on our side, it is easy to see how we will win every time. There will be instances where it will take longer to see results as you would like, but as you remain faithful reading the Word, praying every day, that issue will over time lessen until it is completely gone, or be right at that moment as you bring it to the Lord. It is a great reminder to know that I have a powerful God on my side. That no matter what comes my way, the Lord can break it down with no struggle. *

1 John 4:4

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

*When facing our battles, we can’t let it consume us, because as a child of God you are called to be strong and of courage with no fear, for we were not given the spirit of fear! *

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

**If you are still hungry for the Word of God, come visit the Full Gospel Holiness Church’s website http://www.fghconline.com

Friends may Fail but God Won't

Psalm 41:9-13

“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.”

Psalm 55:12-13

“For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have bourne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him. But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.”

*Here David called upon the Lord when a friend of his betrayed him. It hurts when people come against us, but it is more devastating when it was done by your own friend. Even though you grow hard feelings toward them, you do not retaliate, but pray for them and the Lord will deal with them accordingly. (Of course, we don’t pray for any harm to be done unto them, but that Lord reveal to them the errors of their ways and that they make amends with you and the Lord (Repentance). *

Romans 12:14

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Romans 12:17

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

Romans 12:19

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Luke 17:3,4

“Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

*No matter how many times they go against you, you are to pray for them and forgive them when they come up to you and ask for forgiveness. For if we don’t forgive our brethren, how can the Lord forgive us of our sins? *

Matthew 6:14-15

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

* If you are still hungry for the Word of God, come visit The Full Gospel Holiness Church's website @

http://www.fghconline.com