Matthew 26:36-46 "Then cometh JESUS with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And HE took with HIM Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith HE unto them, MY soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with ME. And HE went a little farther, and fell on HIS face, and prayed, saying, O MY FATHER, if it be possible, let this cup pass from ME: nevertheless not as I will, but as THOU wilt. And HE cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with ME one hour ?
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. HE went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O MY FATHER, if this cup may not pass away from ME, except I drink it, THY will be done. And HE came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And HE left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh HE to HIS disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the SON of MAN is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray ME."
Prayer is probably the most important, yet most neglected, work that GOD has given to the Christian. It is the singular area in which the believer and his LORD are the only ones who truly know the actual state of one's spiritual life. Efforts to encourage Christians to pray more often and more effectively sometimes result in genuine harm when unbiblical principles are introduced that cause presumptuousness, flippancy, arrogance, disrespect, and downright avarice -- "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3 pictured at top of post). Some of the most popular ministries of our day deal almost exclusively with how to supposedly teach Christians to pray. The strange techniques and novel ideas concerning the manner in which one can pray "with power" are seemingly endless. Invariably, these methods involve extrabiblical teachings and practices that are clearly contrary to the WORD of GOD. Ecumenical and charismatic churches and ministries are particularly adept at utilizing the theme of prayer to advance their own dangerous teachings and agendas.
We need to look into the Scriptures and understand what they say about our actual responsibilities and privileges concerning this blessed spiritual exercise. One of the best concise descriptions of prayer was written by John Bunyan over three hundred years ago: "Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to GOD, through CHRIST, in the strength and assistance of the HOLY SPIRIT, for such things as GOD has promised, or according to HIS WORD, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of GOD." (Partial quote pictured above) Does such prayer characterize your life ? DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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