I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT
Praying effectively
Paul urges Timothy to lift up requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving.
A request is a need, a deep desire for something we don't have—something only God can supply.
A prayer is a word of praise and adoration. A more accurate translation of this word from the original Greek might be to "worship in earnest."
Intercession is praying on behalf of others. Our prayers should regularly reflect this kind of selfless lifestyle.
Thanksgiving involved remembering those past prayers that have already been answered, acknowledging that we not only trust God's supremacy and involvement in our life but also how his hand has moved and guided us in the past.
When we pray effectively, we do more than communicate with God—we commune with him. We become one in mind and spirit and purpose. Today, let the focus of your prayer time be to connect with God in a very real and personal way, not as a slave would petition his master, but as a son would enjoy the company of a loving and gracious father.
Originally posted by musicismyworldThe Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT
Praying effectively
Paul urges Timothy to lift up requests, pra ...[text shortened]... petition his master, but as a son would enjoy the company of a loving and gracious father.
Psalm 145:18 NLT
[Psalm 118] pictures a victorious yet battle-weary king at the helm of a throng of grateful people entering the gates of the temple to thank God for saving them. During those times, the temple represented God's presence—the place where followers would go to pray to the Lord. Today, we enter into God's presence in a car, at work, or in the aisles of a grocery store—wherever we take time to pray to him. We can be sure God hears our prayers and answers each one wherever and whenever they are uttered. And by doing so, he gives us even more reasons to pray.
Just like the victorious king in this psalm, we should enter God's presence by thanking him for answering prayers. What answers to prayer are you thankful for today?
Originally posted by musicismyworldI pray that our omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent, creator will act immediately so as to prevent any further innocent children from dying painfully from the infectious diseases rife in developing countries.
[Psalm 118] pictures a victorious yet battle-weary king at the helm of a throng of grateful people entering the gates of the temple to thank God for saving them. During those times, the temple represented God's presence—the place where followers would go to pray to the Lord. Today, we enter into God's presence in a car, at work, or in the aisles of a nce by thanking him for answering prayers. What answers to prayer are you thankful for today?
Unless, of course, their suffering is part of God's plan. In which case I unequivocally approve of it. Praise God!
Originally posted by musicismyworldWhy does God need you to pray for other people. Surely if he wants to help them he will without your prayers? "But," I hear you say "that would violate their free will". But surely if God answers your prayers doesn't that also violate their free will? And how many peoples prayers does he require in order to act? If one person prays for help for the whole world is that not enough?
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT
Does anyone know of any single King who has been prayed for and thus had his subjects live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity? Or did only the subjects who prayed just right get to live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity? That might explain all the infant deaths (they cant pray yet).