Discussions on Prayer, Daily Audio Bible

Intercessory Prayer

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:15:07 GMT

Here is a great quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer on intercessory prayer:

A Christian community either lives by the intercessory prayers of its members for one another, or the community will be destroyed. I can no longer condemn or hate other Christians for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble they cause me. In intercessory prayer the face that may have been strange and intolerable to me is transformed into the face of one for whom Christ died, the face of a pardoned sinner. That is a blessed discovery for the Christian who is beginning to offer intercessory prayer for others. As far as we are concerned, there is no dislike, no personal tension, no disunity or strife that cannot be overcome by intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is the purifying bath into which the individual and the community must enter every day.

A lttle more with my comments in my blog:
http://tbolto.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/bonhoeffer-on-discipleship/

Topic started by Tom B

2 replies. Last reply from Yvonne Hambrick on 4/14/2013 12:15 PM

PRAISE THE LORD-EVEN IF YOU KEEP QUIET THE WHOLE EARTH WILL PRAISE HIM

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:14:04 GMT

I am thanking God right now for technology and the ability to praise Him and pray for my fellow Saints in Christ. I have been sitting here typing, pecking all morning, praying for the many saints on this venue. And I feel renewed in my spirit, where God lives and breathes. I am convinced that God is answering the prayers of the saints right now because of our communication with The Holy of Holies. Bless Be His Righteous and Holy Name. Thank you Father for allowing us to intercede with Our High Priest on the behalf of all our brothers and sisters. I was suppose to go to church this morning, but at the strong urgung of the Holy Spirit, decided to continue sitting here praying. Thank You LORD, Thank You. And I say:
Verse::1

Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God's only son perfect and spotless one
He never sinned, but suffered as if he did

Prechorus
All authority, every victo-ry is Yours
All authority, every victory is Yours

Chorus

Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever, awesome and great is Your name, You overcame

Verse::2

Power in hand speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out, light in this broken land

Bridge
We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcome

Topic started by Yvonne Hambrick

1 replies. Last reply from on 4/14/2013 12:14 PM

Prayer My Thoughts/The Power of Prayer

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 06:41:27 GMT

Prayer is simply communicating with God—listening and talking to him. Believers can pray from the heart, freely, spontaneously, and in their own words. The Bible has a lot to say about prayer. The first mention of prayer is found in Genesis, chapter 4. Genesis 4:26 “And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD. (NKJV)
There is no correct or certain posture for prayer. In the Bible people prayed on their knees (1 Kings 8:54), bowing (Exodus 4:31), on their faces before God (2 Chronicles 20:18; Matthew 26:39), and standing (1 Kings 8:22). You may pray with your eyes opened or closed, quietly or out loud—however you are most comfortable and least distracted. God looks at the heart not the posture. I feel at home and comfortable on my knees before our Awesome God. I don’t always make to my knees, still I pray. Your prayers need not be wordy or impressive in speech. Matthew 6:7
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again." (NLT) Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (NIV)
In a study about the power of pray during an illness (scientific Study), Debra Williams, D.D. reports; the results of the study are not surprising to those of us who believe in the power of prayer. The patients who had received prayer as a part of the study were healthier than those who had not. The prayed for group had less need of having CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) performed and less need for the use of mechanical ventilators. They had a diminished necessity for diuretics and antibiotics, less occurrences of pulmonary edema, and fewer deaths. Taking all factors into consideration, these results can only be attributed to the power of prayer. Questions of whether prayer could lower blood pressure in high blood pressure sufferers, again the obvious conclusion was reached. A study conducted by Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. This study had over 4,000 participants over the age of 65. The study found that those who pray and attend religious services on a weekly basis, especially those between the ages of 65 and 74, had lower blood pressure than their counterparts who did not pray or attend religious services. They found that the more religious the person, particularly those who prayed or studied the Bible weekly, the lower the blood pressure. According to the study these people were forty percent less likely to have high diastolic pressure or diastolic hypertension than these were who did not attend religious services, pray, or study the Bible.
I pray mainly because I want to have a closer relationship with my Father. I pray because it makes me feel better spiritually, emotionally and physically. I know prayer works I am a 10 year cancer survivor and at that time all I could do was pray, everyday all day 24/7 and God saw me and heard me and answered me! Glory to the Most High God He is the originator of Miracles.

Topic started by Yvonne Hambrick

3 replies. Last reply from Helga on 3/21/2013 6:41 AM

Reverence, how do you handle?

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 07:17:53 GMT

How do any of you handle the idea of being reverent before God while also being yourself during prayer? Is prayer really just a conversation or must we be careful with what (or how) we say something?

Topic started by Byron Pollock

4 replies. Last reply from Byron Pollock on 3/20/2013 7:17 AM

Praying for Folks with Alzheimer's

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:06:34 GMT

I have been caring for a family member with Alzheimer's. This week I was led to praying a different way about memory, as I look toward a possible future in my life. And I look toward eternity. Here is a poem in my blog:
http://tbolto.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/in-this-community-forgetting/

Topic started by Tom B

3 replies. Last reply from Tom B on 10/31/2012 9:06 AM

In Silence

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:08:46 GMT

I have a new short poem at my blog. I have been thinking and listening much about prayer. I am working at being in silence to listen.
http://tbolto.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/prayerful/

Topic started by Tom B

2 replies. Last reply from Tom B on 10/30/2012 11:08 AM

Bonhoeffer on Intercessory Prayer

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:03:27 GMT

I really liked this passage from Life Together Prayerbook of the Bible:
"Intercessory prayer is also a daily service Christians owe to God and one another. Those who deny their neighbors prayers of intercession deny them a service Christians are called to perform. Furthermore, it is clear that intercessory prayer is not something general and vague, but something very concrete. It is interested in specific persons and specific difficulties and therefore specific requests. The more concrete my intercessory prayer becomes the more promising it is…

All this proves that intercessory prayer is a gift of God’s grace for every Christian community and for every Christian. Because God has made us such an immeasurably great offer here, we should accept it joyfully. The very time we give to intercession will turn out to be a daily source of new joy in God and in the Christian congregation."

Topic started by Tom B

1 replies. Last reply from on 9/3/2012 9:03 AM

Praying Creeds

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:07:37 GMT

In recent years I have found it a blessing to pray a Creed each morning. I wasn't always so inclined.
In my blog on Friday, I wrote a little about Creeds, and I included the test of the Maasai Creed, which especially captures the Gospel for me.

http://tbolto.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/creeds/

Topic started by Tom B

3 replies. Last reply from Tom B on 7/13/2012 2:07 PM

John Wesley On Prayer

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:42:52 GMT

I blogged a bit this week about a little book on John Wesley and prayer.

http://tbolto.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/john-wesley-on-prayer/

I am finding this little book inspirational.

Topic started by Tom B

2 replies. Last reply from Shirley on 7/11/2012 1:42 PM

My 16 year old son

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:04:41 GMT

How can I get the heart of God to release the hand Satan seems to have on my son. My son is so determined to do wrong inspite of all the consequences that he has faced. He just won't comply with any rules. Just seems bent on having his way
No matter the cost.

Topic started by Annette

2 replies. Last reply from Tom B on 7/5/2012 10:04 AM

9 Tips From Jesus on Prayer

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:14:22 GMT

These tips were in a newsletter from Guideposts today. I liked them--especially
9. Forgive
“Therefore I say to you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you will receive it, and it will be so for you. And whenever you stand up to pray, if you have something against anyone, forgive so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your wrongdoings.” Forgive, forgive, forgive

and

1. Get by Yourself
“Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where he could be alone in prayer.” I like to pray with others or in the middle of a busy day, but there’s spiritual work we all need to do alone, one-on-one with our Maker.

http://www.guideposts.org/blogs/on-the-journey/9-tips-from-jesus-on-prayer?utm_source=Inspirational%20Roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2012-3-3_nl_9-tips-from-jesus-on-prayer

What do you think?

Topic started by Tom B

2 replies. Last reply from Jessica on 3/5/2012 5:14 PM

Hope in Prayer

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:31:01 GMT

I just listened to Edlredge's first teaching on prayer. This has changed my view of the need and purpose of prayer. Like so many other people, I've assigned God's plan and will to my unanswered prayers. In essence I've been praying MY will rather than His. Consequently, I am disappointed because I believe God should answer the cry of my heart without reservation. I've made wrong assumptions about prayer and God's will. The desire of my heart to see healing, victory, freedom, etc. is certainly God's heart, but perhaps His answers are often different from my expectations. I'm starting to recognize the fact that surrendered prayer, that which can submit to God's "no", is necessary to line up with His will.

Topic started by Paul

9 replies. Last reply from Joyce on 11/19/2011 8:31 PM

Your will be done...

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:01:41 GMT

Someone once said to me that the greatest prayer you could pray was "Your will be done". Now I DO agree with this, but I have also found it quite limiting as any other prayer/intercession often then feels a bit like you are trying to manipulate God so if I'm praying for someone's needs, I often end up praying the your will be done prayer as I feel as if I'm trying to get God to act in a certain way if I pray anything else. I guess I'm struggling to with intercessory prayer here and how to get over that feeling.

Topic started by skeffie

3 replies. Last reply from Tammy on 10/7/2011 10:01 PM

Prayer with fire

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:16:43 GMT

Hey
My name is Charlie and I want to talk about something that happened to me last year at a christian festival.
Last year I was given the gift of prophecy and at the same time something else happened.
I was praying with friends at the festival and suddenly they all turned to me placed their hands on my and began praying for me, as I'd just been praying for one of them. I guess God had decided now it was my turn to receive ministry.
My lips felt strange and begin to almost tingle and buzz a little bit like if hot embers were being placed against them, this was pretty cool I thought to myself and then very quickly I began to feel a very strange and forceful sensation in my hands and feet. I can only describe it as a roaring sensation that hurt a lot and at the same time felt good. It was almost like fire without the heat I suppose. Kind of like a burning pins and needles but it did not feel like mortal pain, it was a feeling like i have never felt before. I was told by some that this is a sign that you have received the gift of healing (burning hands) my burning feet meant that I was going to traveling a lot apparently and the burning on my lips was supposed to be to do with cleansing my vocabulary.
I was wondering what other peoples views on it were, and as to whether people could pray for me, for God to guide me and enlighten me in time as to what it means.

Amen

Charlie

Topic started by CharlieP

6 replies. Last reply from skeffie on 9/22/2011 2:16 PM

Praying through Scripture in a group

Sat, 07 May 2011 06:27:36 GMT

Does anyone know of a framework for praying through/with Scripture in a group setting?

Topic started by LizB

2 replies. Last reply from Catholica on 5/7/2011 6:27 AM

A good thought on prayer by Corrie Ten Boom

Sun, 01 May 2011 22:33:53 GMT

When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy. --Corrie Ten Boom

Topic started by Tom B

4 replies. Last reply from Leslie on 5/1/2011 10:33 PM

hedge of thorns

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:12:06 GMT

I would like tot know more about praying a hedge of thorns around my children to bring tthem to Christ Jesus. I have a few scriptures Job 1:10 and Hosea 2:6 but I need clarification.

Topic started by LilaRose

4 replies. Last reply from LilaRose on 4/15/2011 7:12 AM

Pray to the Lord of the Harvest for workers/Contibuters

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:13:10 GMT

I'm concerned about the WindFarm Plant's Fiances as reported on the web-site.... I can not understand how a community which touts over 39,000,000 downlaods, has not far esceed the required fianance for this first proto-type Cafe'.....
Ok so what if only 1% of the downlaods are actually unique and partaking of this wonderfule service.... So 390,000 or so active participants, without any matching grants this would mean that roughly 50 cents per participat would have more than funded this effort.... I just do not understand the reluctance, as I think we only really saw an initial influxof $45,000 and then received some sort of matching grant for that bringin us up to like $80,000 or so... I'm gravely concerned for Brian in that I heard him say this is the biggest risk he has ever undertaken.... I really do not understand if we are a family why this should be a risk on Brian..... So I am asking you to please give non-generously with a simple donation of $1.00 Please, of course if you do not feel the vision is from God then I invite you to listen to the 4 part series on its inspiration, on the website..... if you still don't have peace then don't give anything.... However I'm embarrased to see the lack of turnout on this as I know what I gave and it would not have r=taken that many more people like me to have exceeded this goal....

Love in Christ, Rick in Rhode Island

Topic started by Rick in RI

3 replies. Last reply from Joe on 9/14/2010 10:13 PM

Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire - James Montgomery 1818

Tue, 04 May 2010 12:02:09 GMT

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains
That reach The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters Heav’n with prayer.

Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”

The saints in prayer appear as one
In word, in deed, and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

No prayer is made by man alone
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus, on th’eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.

O Thou by Whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray.

- James Montgomery 1818

Topic started by Craig from Illinois

1 replies. Last reply from on 5/4/2010 12:02 PM

the pulse of life

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:38:41 GMT

"Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray

Topic started by Ray

1 replies. Last reply from on 4/4/2010 1:38 PM