Pray Network Forum

Like love, meaningful prayer is initiated by God. Romans 8:26 admits that we don't know what to pray for as we ought. I certainly do not object to praying for what you want. But faith in God at least leads to the realization that what God wants for me is better, more fulfilling, and more satisfying than what I want.

So how do we listen in prayer? There is of course an attitude of listening in prayer that humbly comes to God expecting him to impress something on you. And I have occasionally experienced that in my life. But as we grow really serious about listening to God we will come to the place that we want to meditate. Now biblical meditation is not anything like Eastern meditation or what was called in the 1960s Transcendental Meditation. In Eastern meditation you repeat over and over again a mantra, a word that is nonsense to you because it comes from a language you probably do not speak. And you completely empty your mind of anything. In Christian meditation we fill our mind with truth. We focus on what God is saying. That has great depth of meaning. This can be about as relaxing as a wrestling match. But its fruit is nourishing and satisfying.

The most important spiritual meditation is on the word of God. If you want God to speak to you, read his word. If you want God to speak to you, study and meditate on God's word. I've often told people that you can meditate on facets of the character of God. For instance you might spend a whole day meditating on all the ways that God shows His infinite love to you. However, I think the best way to do this is to memorize a verse or even an entire passage that reveals a part of God's character. And God will speak to you whatever scripture you memorize and spend extended time thinking about.

The final way of listening to God that I want to show you here is to pray in a group. Listen to other people praying and see if you're not impressed that God is speaking to you in their prayers.

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

http://daveswatch.com/

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

This month, October, 2017, Prayer Assist began sending copies of “Making your Church a House of Prayer” recording by Dr. Mel Blackaby (Henry Blackaby’s son and current pastor) to praying pastors as a Pastor’s Appreciation gift.  The recordings are made available to pastors and their staff for FREE.  

Here’s how you can help:  You can help Prayer Assist resource more praying pastors with the “Making your Church a House of Prayer” recording.

1.     Pray that pastors and their staffs  would be impacted to ask the Lord, “How can I lead your people to be a “House of prayer”?

2.     Send names and addresses:

a.     If you know of a praying pastor who would benefit from receiving this recording, please reply with their name and mailing address and Prayer Assist will mail the recording to your pastor for FREE.

3.     Invest: You can invest in this praying pastors initiative by making a tax-deductible gift to Prayer Assist.  For an investment of any amount, your will receive a copy of this powerful recording and scripture prayer resources you can use!

a.     For every gift of $10.00 or more, Prayer Assist will be able to send a copy of “Making your Church a House of Prayer” to praying pastors.

b.     Help Prayer Assist with postage for the mailings.  $3.00 pays for 1 mailing.  You can make a donation to cover postage or mail $1 stamps to me.  (Available at Post Office)

To make a tax-deductible investment in Prayer Assist:   

1.     On-line: Visit www.prayerassist.org/donate and enter your gift  or

2.     Send a check payable to "Community Impact” to Thomas Bush, Prayer Assist, 7918 El Cajon Blvd, Suite N137, La Mesa, CA  91942

Thank you in advance for prayerfully considering partnering with Prayer Assist to resource praying pastors! 

Blessings  Thomas Bush, Director, Prayer Assist. 

Check out our latest blog: http://wp.me/p1Mbsb-xt ;

I have seen some interesting things in churches over the years. I knew a church where no one spoke to visitors or anyone else in the service. They had a young pastor who wouldn't put up with that. He challenged them, encouraged them, and scolded them. And sure enough, they began to speak to one another and gregariously welcome guests. But when you watched this congregation a while you realized that no one felt welcomed in there fellowship. Why do you think that was?

I knew another church where the people were quiet even a little shy. But everyone who came felt loved. I don't know all the differences, but I know something crucial about this church. The pastor encouraged everyone to pray for visitors and everyone around them in the services. He used to say, “We want to be a church where people know they will be prayed for when they come here.” It should not surprise us that people were often heard to say they sensed the presence of God there.

This is an important part of a church being or becoming a house of prayer. This can be done informally and quietly. I believe it should also be done formally and openly. I love welcome tables in the vestibule of a church. I believe someone working in a welcome center should ask guests entering a church how they would like someone to pray for them. You can pray briefly with many of those coming. At least write that request down and pray silently for God to meet that person's need. Possibly share it with the deacons or a prayer team.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

http://daveswatch.com/