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Called to Pray

August 2, 2019

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

1. PRAY IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. God wants us to pray to Him regardless of how we feel. He hears our prayers whether we’re really enthusiastic or feeling flat. When Jeremiah prophesied to the people of Israel that God’s mercy is new every morning, it was to help them know that God wanted them to move forward and get unstuck. Thousands of years later, I have found this verse to be a great help when I have lapsed into self-pity or when I feel numb. God’s mercies are still new for us today!

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

2. PRAY FOR ALL PEOPLE. Jesus is worthy of all our focus and our praise. There is no other religion where the leader was nailed to a cross and with His last breath said, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). The reverberation of His forgiveness echoes throughout the generations. Jesus said that the Church is to be “a house of prayer for all the nations” (Mark 11:17). He has called us to pray for all people, reaching those who don’t yet know Him, and to specifically pray for leaders and those in authority.

3. PRAY AT ALL TIMES. When you and I pray, things change. When Jesus was on earth, He told His disciples “that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Over 2,000 years later, Jesus is still inviting us to spend time in His presence. Go into your prayer closet and seek God. Pray for the entire population of the planet when you are in the car. When you’re watching the news on TV, pray about it. Go on a walk and pray in the Spirit. Come to church and get in faith with other people – God has called us to a lifestyle of prayer.

God bless you!
Pastor Jeff Perry

PRAY THIS PRAYER:
God, one day in Your presence is better than one thousand anywhere else. I repent for my sin – forgive me. Thank You that You have wiped out my sins. Thank You that the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16). And thank You, God, that You hear and answer my prayers. In Jesus’ Name, amen!

Prayer noun
In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for His mercies and benefits.

Copyright © 2019 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. “Prayer.” Websters Dictionary 1828. Web. 30 Jul 2019 webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/prayer.