Biblical Teaching on Prayer

Matthew 6:7-8

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
~ Jesus

Pondering Point

God is not impressed by one’s scope of words or length of prayers. No, the sincerity of our words and the heart behind our prayers – this is what our Father is looking for. As Jesus said, God already knows what you need. A better question is:

Do you know what you need?
For instance, do you know that you need time away with God?
Do you know how to care for your soul?

The Lord God does know what you need, so why don’t you ask Him to reveal it to you.

Prayer

Father God, use Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your people to reveal how to care for my soul, nurture my soul and put myself in a position to thrive under Your leadership. May my hope rest in nothing and no one but You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Prayer Thoughts
Chapter 43
Troubles

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Moses “failed” at the beginning to help his people. He went off for 40 years. He eventually came back to lead an entire nation out of slavery.
Joseph “failed” on several occasions, ended up in prison, and then rose to a position of power.

The list of Bible characters who seemingly failed at first could continue. Each of these godly people learned lessons that gave them wisdom for greater works, which God planned to accomplish through them.… Could God use a failure in your life as a transformative experience and an opportunity for His majestic light to clearly shine through you? Only the Lord sees in advance the whole picture of your life. The illustration of the pearl fits well with the study of adversity in our lives.

Got his book? Read pages 199-202 in Keep Me and Keep All, Smith.