Pray Like Children

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by Max Lucado

 

We prayer wimps fear mis-praying. What’s the expected etiquette and dress code of prayer? What if we kneel instead of stand?  Jesus’ answer is in  Matthew 18:3 when he says, “Become as little children.”  Carefree.  Joy filled. Playful. Trusting.  Curious. Trust more—strut less.

God prefers this greeting:  “God, you are my Daddy, and I am your child!” It’s hard to show off and call God “Daddy” at the same time.  Impossible, in fact. Remember, prayer doesn’t depend on how you pray.  The power of prayer depends on the One who hears the prayer.

Here’s my challenge for you! Every day for 4 weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

   Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

 

 

Prayer Wimps

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by Max Lucado

 

I’m a card-carrying member of the PWA.  “Prayer Wimps Anonymous.” Can you relate?  We pray.  We pray to stay sober, centered, and solvent. We pray when the lump is deemed malignant, when the money runs out before the month does.

We all pray some but wouldn’t we like to pray more?  Like the disciples, when they ask Jesus, “Teach us to pray.” Teach us to find strength in prayer, to banish fear in prayer.  Prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and you.  A prayer as simple as this one: “Father you are good.  I need help, heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you in Jesus name.”

Every day for four weeks. Pray four minutes and then and get ready to connect with God like never before.

   Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

 

 

God Will Teach You

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by Max Lucado

 

This much is sure:  God will teach you to pray. Don’t think for a minute that he’s glaring at you from a distance with crossed arms and a scowl, waiting for you to get your prayer life together.  Just the opposite! In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with Me.”

Jesus waits on the porch.  He taps…and calls. He waits for you to open the door. To pray is the hand of faith on the door handle of your heart. The happy welcome to Jesus: “Come in, O King.  Come in. The kitchen is messy, but come in. I’m not much of a conversationalist, but come in.”

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer! God changes His people through such moments.

   Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

 

 

Jesus Prayed by Example

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by Max Lucado

 

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer!  Jesus set a compelling prayer example. He prayed before He ate.  He prayed for children.  He prayed for the sick.  He prayed with thanks.  With tears. He had made the planets and shaped the stars, yet He prayed.

Here’s a prayer for us today! “Father, you’ve made me your child through your Spirit. In your kindness you have adopted me and delivered me from sin and death. Remind me today what it means to be your child.  It’s so easy for me to live every day on my own terms. Help me live it in light of your grace.  Thank you for accepting me as I am but not leaving me the same.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Here’s my challenge for you! Every day for 4 weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before!

   Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

 

 

Prayer Brings Hope

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by Max Lucado

 

We are never without hope because we are never without prayer. Prayer confesses, “God can handle it, and since he can, I have hope!” When we pray in the name of Jesus, we come to God on the basis of Jesus’ accomplishment. The Scripture says, “Since we have such a great high priest [Jesus] over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:21-22).

Some people say, “Prayer changes things because it changes us.” I agree, but only in part. Prayer changes things because prayer appeals to the top power in the universe. It is the yes to God’s invitation to invoke his name. Prayer moves the world because prayer moves the heart of God.

   Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

 

 

Prayer in it’s Purest Form

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by Max Lucado

 

Mark 1:35 says, “Jesus went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

This dialogue must have been common among His friends: “Has anyone seen Jesus?”  “Oh, you know.  He’s up to the same thing.”  “Praying again?”  “Yep. He’s been gone since sunrise.”

Jesus would even disappear for an entire night of prayer. Prayer for most of us, isn’t a matter of a month-long retreat or even an hour of meditation. It’s a conversation with God while driving to work or waiting for an appointment. God will teach you to pray. We speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. It’s prayer in its purest form. God changes His people through such moments.

Here’s my challenge for you! Every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before!

   Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

 

 

Jesus’ Example of Prayer

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by Max Lucado

 

We can’t even get the cable company to answer us, yet God will?  The doctor’s too busy, but God isn’t?  We have our doubts about prayer!

Jesus raised people from the dead.  But a “How to Vacate the Cemetery” seminar? His followers never called for one. But they did want Him to do this– “Lord, teach us to pray.” Might their interest have something to do with the jaw-dropping promise Jesus attached to prayer? “Ask and it will be given to you.” When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray He gave them a prayer.

Could you use the same?  Father, You are good.  I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer. Punctuate your day with it!

   Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

 

 

Prayer 101

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by Max Lucado

 

When I pray, I think of a thousand things I need to do. I forget the one thing I set out to do: pray. Can you relate?

But wouldn’t we all like to pray… More? Better? Deeper? Stronger? With more fire, faith, or fervency? Yet we have kids to feed, bills to pay, deadlines to meet. We want to pray, but when? We want to pray, but why? We have our doubts about prayer, our checkered history of unmet expectations, unanswered questions. We aren’t the first. The sign-up for Prayer 101 contains familiar names: John, James, Andrew, and Peter. The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance.

Here’s my challenge for you: every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

   Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

 

 

Prayer is Portable

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by Max Lucado

 

Some people excel in prayer. They are the SEAL Team Six of intercession. They’d rather pray than sleep. Why is it I sleep when I pray? It’s not that we don’t pray at all; we all pray some. Surveys indicate one in five unbelievers prays daily. Just in case, perhaps?

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he gave them a prayer. A quotable, repeatable, portable prayer. Could you use the same? “Father, You are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Here’s my challenge for you: every day for 4 weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Just Like Jesus

 

 

A Prayer Life Reboot

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by Max Lucado

 

I’m a recovering prayer wimp. For years my prayers seemed to zig, then zag, then zig again. Maybe you can relate. Perhaps your prayer life could use a tune up, a reboot? If that sounds overwhelming, I’m inviting you to a simpler plan. Four minutes, plus four weeks, equals forever change! Every day for four weeks, pray for four minutes, focusing on these core elements of prayer:

Father, You are good.

I need help.

They need help.

Thank you.

It’s that simple. Really! Talking with God doesn’t have to be complicated or complex. The power isn’t in the words we pray, but in the One who hears them. Here’s my challenge for you: every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Just Like Jesus