It was He who taught me thus to pray,And He I trust has answered prayer.But it has been in such a way,As almost drove me to despair.
I hoped that in some favored hour,At once He'd answer my request.And by His love's constraining power,Subdue my sins and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel,The hidden evils of my heart.And let the angry powers of hell,Assault my soul in every part.
Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed,Intent to aggravate my woe.Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried.Will You pursue Your worm to death?""This is the way" the Lord replied,"I answer prayer for grace and strength."
"These inward trials I employ,From self, and pride, to set you free;And break your schemes of earthly joy,That you may find thy all in Me."(John Newton)
Newton does it better than me!
[God’s knowledge of the future is as complete as is His knowledge of the past and the present, and that, because the future depends entirely upon Himself.]
[Were it in anywise possible for something to occur apart from either the direct agency or permission of God, then that something would be independent of Him, and He would at once cease to be Supreme.]
Thanks Charles, we'll see...
anyway you could perhaps consider a brief sabbatical on anglesey during the forthcoming summer season ? depending upon the state of business you may find yourself obliged to carry out menial taske in the workshop whilst listening to hours of SA or, if leisure permits a spot of sailing and fishing - think it over anyway there are oppurtunities for painting and perhaps my friend philip snow could assist your artistic direction.
prince charles wrote:well john i cant answer your questions but if its any good i will tell you about my prayer life
i mostly pray in the shower because its a place i like to be and cleansing water is running over me and i dont get disturbed and that is in the morning. Then i have breakfast and read the bible as i eat, if i havent had a shower then i pray.
Its always solitary unless i visit my friend Julia then we pray together. Church is to far away to attend for prayer meetings
I always say the Lords prayer first. Then i try to structure my prayer around the Lords prayer, I identify Him as the God who took Israel out of egypt and took me from same and recount some of His works briefly, then i consider the millenium the kingdom to come and that causes me to put the present in its proper perspective. so then the following subjects will be the typical petitions during the week but not each every day
Thy will be done so that is my church and the brethren and the misionary work and our pastor and elders i ask that He will make me brave like david, wise like solomon, faithful like job, obedient like Jesus,
then my work - daily bread
i confess my sin and unworthiness to be one of the elect but thank Him for it usualy i ask that he might let me be used in some way
Candle Lit wrote:In earlier posts, I mentioned the godly lady who died who was trusting in the Lord to heal her. What I didn't mention was that she was Pentecostal. It was my first experience with people who emphasisized the gifts of the spirit, such as healing, speaking in tongues, etc. I know that there is something to it, but I have also seen the abuses. I am a thinking person, and just not drawn to seeking spiritual experiences, so I'm not drawn to this, though I do think there is a powerlessness in the body today, and, I would like to pray with expectation.Have a blessed day, John.
I hope your trapped nerve improves soon, that is very painful.
I had several years experience in pentecostal and charismatic churches, and found very little that was helpful. I reckon most if not all the 'tongue' speaking was of the flesh, false prophecies were given all the time, worship was shallow, doctrine all-confusion, gospel corrupted or nonexistant, name it claim it lunatics deluded.
I knew a woman called Mary who was badly depressed. If I asked her how she was, she would say, "Fine, thank you." Due to Ken Copeland heretical teaching! Yuk!
Such damage going on today in peoples' lives.
I won't be able to contribute to the boards today, as I can barely move my neck due to a pinched nerve..
I did want to say that I look forward to reading the discussion on this issue of prayer, as I find it a weakness in my own life. The questions that you ask are questions I have, as well.
As to Mr. Cheung and his writing on the cessationists: I find his writing and reasoning a compelling argument for the continuation of the gifts. It's a shame that he dilutes his argument by attacking John MacArthur's views. There was no need. Let each man's argument stand.
In earlier posts, I mentioned the godly lady who died who was trusting in the Lord to heal her. What I didn't mention was that she was Pentecostal. It was my first experience with people who emphasisized the gifts of the spirit, such as healing, speaking in tongues, etc. I know that there is something to it, but I have also seen the abuses. I am a thinking person, and just not drawn to seeking spiritual experiences, so I'm not drawn to this, though I do think there is a powerlessness in the body today, and, I would like to pray with expectation.
Have a blessed day, John.
And then, what IS prayer? I would love to hear a definition of it. Is it, for example, a consciousness of the Lord continually 24/7, an awareness of living in the spiritual realm, a loving fellowship with Jesus without words needed, a yearning deep within for Spirit-led burdens needing no voice, a liturgy of words formulated, a simple dialogue between a child and their Father? And why do folks close their eyes when praying?
How does God's sovereignty affect prayer? If I don't pray, will that have any effect? If I pray for a safe journey and subsequently have a collision, what was the purpose of my prayer? If I pray that I might have a collision and arrive safely, ditto?
Is it possible to waste life-time by praying? Or is praying dependent on being filled with all the fulness of God? Should we, like Mueller, have faith for provision? Etc.
[URL=http://beyondcamp.net/]]]http://beyondcamp.net/[/URL]
Lisa wrote:Simon-are you a messianic believer?What is the prayer book you refer to-I have never heard of it before?(Baruk Habah bashem adonai...)
It's good to read your input. You certainly mentioned 3 strong "points". I found it discouraging that there was hardly any input in here tonight on such an important matter as prayer is. You seem to be "right on" as I read your comments, etc. from time to time!
This topic regarding one's prayer life is, I believe, one of the most important/edifying topics I have seen here lately. I mean this with all my heart.
I struggle with "true prayer" so much each and every day. I hope and pray others will respond in "these rooms" as to how to help one who has struggled a long time with "true prayer".
I don't mean that other topics in this forum are not important, but I believe this topic of "prayer" is at the "top of the list" as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks much for whoever suggested this most important topic for discussion!
1) Read God's Word before AND while you pray. What I mean is, *start* by reading God's Word.. just a few verses if need be. Then be "lead" to pray by what you read or what is heavy on your heart. Then, as you pray, you may be directed to other passages to read. Intermingle reading and praying as a natural flow.
2) Don't follow a rigid list of prayer items. I don't mean you shouldn't or cannot pray for items, but treat the activity of prayer like speaking and holding conversation (or "communion" if you will) with a REAL person. Because the LORD *IS* a real person after all! Speak with Him as a friend speaks to a friend -- but with reverence. Prayer should be a delight just as you enjoy speaking with earthly friends. But THIS friend is that friend that sticks closer than a brother -- AND He can *answer* your prayers and problems too!
3) Be "always" in prayer. Don't feel that you need to relegate prayer to a certain place or time. The activity of prayer should be as natural and continuous as the activity of breathing air. Remember, He's always there to hear you. Speak with Him as with a friend.
God bless!
